Newcastle United Managing Director Derek Llambias has called for
the Football Association to look into their disciplinary procedures in
the wake of Callum McManaman's challenge on Massadio Haidara at the DW
Stadium on Sunday.
Haidara was stretchered off following McManaman's knee-high tackle during the
first half of Wigan's 2-1 win at the DW Stadium, but he escaped
punishment as referee Mark Halsey did not see the incident.
However, the FA are unable to take retrospective action against the
21-year-old because one of the officials on duty did witness the
challenge.
On Monday Wigan chairman Dave Whelan defended his player but Llambias
does not agree with his view that it was a fair challenge and he wants
the FA to examine their current disciplinary procedures.
"There has been significant public reaction from media, industry
figures and supporters to the tackle made by Wigan Athletic's Callum
McManaman on Massadio Haidara during the first-half of our Premier
League fixture on Sunday, 17th March, in particular comments made by
Wigan's owner Dave Whelan," a statement from Llambias read.
"I have the greatest respect for Dave, who has been in the game for a
long time as a professional footballer and now owner. I am also aware
that Dave's career was cut short due to injury.
"I am therefore disappointed and surprised by the comments he made
yesterday, in particular his assertion that the tackle by Callum
McManaman "was a fair challenge".
"It is our strongly held opinion that the tackle on Massadio was
extremely dangerous and is the type of challenge that has the potential
to cause serious harm and such was the force, and reckless and dangerous
nature of the challenge, even end a player's career.
"It was not a fair challenge. This view is shared by countless former
players, referees and well-respected media commentators. Indeed it
appears to be only Dave Whelan who takes a contrary view.
"We are disappointed to learn that the FA is not going to charge the
Wigan player. We were first notified of this decision by a national
media outlet who received notification from the FA confirming the
decision. This was prior to anyone from the FA having the courtesy to
contact the Club to let us know.
"It is clear from this decision that the current disciplinary
procedures are not fit for purpose. Newcastle United, along with other
clubs, have had players suspended for incidents reviewed after the game.
Whilst not trivialising these incidents, they were not, in our opinion,
of the seriousness of Callum McManaman's tackle on Haidara.
"Whilst we understand that the current procedures give the FA limited
options, it cannot be correct that the most serious offences - those
which have the potential to cause another player serious harm - can go
unpunished, even if the original incident was seen by match officials.
"We will now be making a strong representation to the FA and the
Premier League to see how a more appropriate, fair and even-handed
disciplinary process can be introduced at the earliest opportunity to
prevent incidents of this nature going unpunished in the future.
"Our attentions at this time are firmly with Massadio. He only joined
us in January, but in that short time he has impressed us immensely
both on and off the field. Massadio was scanned yesterday and will
continue to be assessed for the remainder of the week.
"He will undergo a further scan next week in order to determine the
extent of the damage caused. Contrary to comments in the media, there is
currently no timescale for his recovery.
"We would like to thank our fans for their heart-felt messages of
support for Massadio. We are passing these messages on to him and we are
sure they will help keep his spirits up."
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