Roy Hodgson labels Christian Benteke’s red card in West Ham draw ‘ludicrous’ after striker received two yellows for catching players with his arm in aerial duels – as Crystal Palace boss insists such decisions ‘are ruining the game’
Roy Hodgson branded Christian Benteke’s red card at West Ham ‘ludicrous’ and claimed such decisions are ruining the game.
Sebastien Haller’s spectacular strike rescued a 1-1 draw for West Ham after Benteke had headed Crystal Palace into a first-half lead.
But Benteke was shown two yellow cards for two identical misdemeanours, catching Angelo Ogbonna and Tomas Soucek with his trailing arm as he went up for headers.
Crystal Palace striker Christian Benteke (R) was sent off after catching Tomas Soucek with arm
He had already been booked for a similar challenge on Angelo Ogbonna during aerial battle
Roy Hodgson branded Benteke’s red card at West Ham ‘ludicrous’ as his side were held to draw
Eagles boss Hodgson blasted: ‘I thought it was a ludicrous decision, because when people jump and challenge for the ball he is using his arm for leverage, and trying to win the ball.
‘If an arm brushes your opponent, that’s always likely to happen if both players are attempting to win the ball.
‘Decisions like that are ruining the game of football. That’s what I believe. I’ve had enough now.
Hodgson said he was ‘bitterly disappointed’ to see Benteke sent off on Wednesday evening
‘Referees make decisions, they go by them in rules they are obliged to follow. I’d rather talk about what a good game of football that was.
‘But I’m bitterly disappointed to see Christian Benteke get two yellow cards for trying honestly to win two headers.’
It was a sad end to the match for Benteke, who is now in what for him is a rich vein of goalscoring form after heading in Joel Ward’s cross for his third in three matches for the visitors.
Benteke scored the opening goal of the game but West Ham equalised in the second half