In my mind he panicked. He was already trying far too hard. The game was only 8 minutes old he madly decided to chase out to clear an incoming through ball. Next thing he knew he was outside of his area so in a split second he decided to fly hack it up the pitch. He should have gone for a header, but maybe was scared of colliding heads (which ironically could have been worse at the speeds they were both travelling).
His total involvement was way way out of line. He should have been in the six yard box ready to protect the goal. Rushing out as he did way out of the area is what gave him the problem.
The annoying part of all this is that whatever happens to him re any ban obviously is irrelevant to us.
But he was well out of order, arguably cost his team the match, and acting like he did, an out of practise reserve who was not prepared for such a big day.
It was like a pub game incident but with fitness levels of professional athletes, resulting in such a nasty outcome.
Thank God Mateta is ok. According to OG, he may even be back for Fulham.
And as OG said the guy probably had 0.1 second to decide what to do having already completely messed up.
I am guessing at a 6 match ban for what its worth.
Bermuda
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