Mark Clattenburg believes Vincent Kompany was ‘lucky’ not to be sent off for Mohamed Salah tackle
Kompany was cautioned for a late tackle on Salah when the game was 0-0
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Former Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg said Vincent Kompany was “lucky” not to be sent off for his tackle on Mohamed Salah during Manchester City’s 2-1 victory against Liverpool.
Leroy Sane scored the winning goal in the clash between the league leaders and the title defenders after Roberto Firmino levelled Sergio Aguero’s opening strike.
However, the tie could have been very different had Anthony Taylor not fallen on the side of leniency when Kompany caught Salah with a late challenge.
The City captain was only given a yellow card and Clattenburg believes Taylor would have sent him off if given the benefit of hindsight.
“Vincent Kompany was lucky not to be sent off for his challenge on Liverpool’s Mo Salah,” Clattenburg wrote in the Daily Mail.
“In defence of referee Anthony Taylor, he does not have the luxury of slowing the action down and reviving the incident – and in moments such as this, that is sometimes what you need to be 100 per cent sure, because everything happens so quickly.
“On watching the replay, it is easy to make a case for a red card, because it is clear Kompany lunges with a straight leg and his studs showing.”
Kompany, however, defended his “great challenge”, but Jurgen Klopp was left asking “how on earth is that not a red card?”
“The Belgian knew he had to make that type of tackle because Salah would have been away and one-on-one with the goalkeeper. A referee should consider all such factors,” Clattenburg added.
“Salah, meanwhile, is very lucky his foot was not planted in the turf, because that challenge could have caused him serious injury.”
Kompany appeared to exchange words with the Liverpool winger while he was on the floor, and Clattenburg said he would not have taken any action if he heard any unsavoury language.
“As for Kompany appearing to call the Liverpool forward a ‘pussy’ as he lay on the floor, I would not have reacted to that had I heard it as a referee, not in the heat of battle and in such a high-stakes game. What happens on the pitch should stay on the pitch in that regard.”
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments