Former referee Mark Clattenburg has explained why Chris Kavanangh refused to send off Newcastle United midfielder Joelinton in the EFL Cup game against Tottenham Hotspur following his lunging tackle on Mohammed Kudus.
The Brazilian recklessly bumped into Kudus as the Spurs star surged forward with five minutes remaining. The tackle forced an immediate reaction from the Ghanaian who shoved the Magpies player.
Kavanangh, the referee in the Cup game, showed Kudus and Joelinton a yellow card, leaving fans surprised by his decision.
However, Clattenburg, who officiated in top games, including UCL and World Cup finals, insists the tackle did not endanger Kudus and the referee was right to only show a yellow card.
“It does not feel fair that Joelinton, for his challenge, was given the same punishment as Mohammed Kudus. Joelinton’s challenge was certainly reckless and was a scissor action which tripped his opponent," he told TR Football.
“To meet the criteria of a red card, however, there needs to be some force and malice used which this challenge lacked and therefore did not endanger the safety of his opponent. Nevertheless, it does not feel right that Kudus received the same punishment after being on the end of that tackle.”
Kudus, a second half substitute, could not stop Spurs from getting eliminated as they suffered a 2-0 defeat at Saint James' Park.
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