Tag Archives: halsey

Mark Halsey referee Callum McManaman tackle Massadio Haidara pulled from Premier League

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Ref Halsey DROPPED to League One after Haidara horror tackle at Wigan

By
David Kent

PUBLISHED:

01:43 GMT, 26 March 2013

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UPDATED:

07:59 GMT, 26 March 2013

Mark Halsey, the official who did not send off Callum McManaman for his high tackle on Massadio Haidara, has not been given a Barclays Premier League game to referee this weekend.

Halsey did not issue a red card to Wigan striker McManaman during his side's 2-1 win over Newcastle on March 17 because, he said later, his view of the challenge on Haidara was blocked.

Shocker: Halsey failed to punish Wigan's Callum McManaman for this 'challenge' on Massadio Haidara

Shocker: Halsey failed to punish Wigan's Callum McManaman for this 'challenge' on Massadio Haidara

Dropped: Halsey will take charge of Friday's League One clash between Coventry and Doncaster

Dropped: Halsey will take charge of Friday's League One clash between Coventry and Doncaster

Because of the international break, this weekend will be the first round of Premier League fixtures since the incident, and Halsey's only top-flight outing will be as the fourth official for Reading's trip to Arsenal.

McManaman's tackle was greeted with outrage, but could not be punished in retrospect by the Football Association because one of Halsey's two assistants saw the incident, provoking a debate about the merits of disciplinary system.

Halsey will referee Friday's npower League One game between Coventry and Doncaster.

Anthony Taylor West Ham Everton poor performance – Graham Poll

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West Ham and Everton unite in disappointment at abject performance by ref Taylor

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UPDATED:

23:34 GMT, 23 December 2012

The season of goodwill to all men started this weekend and referees tested that sentiment with a number of baffling decisions. Red cards and penalties were the main bones of contention but one assistant referee standing up to be counted in the battle against the holding and blocking at set pieces looked at odds with the rest of his colleagues.

Referees know that they will seldom drive home with praise ringing in their ears but it is unusual to incur the wrath of both managers and all 35,000 fans in attendance. However, Anthony Taylor managed exactly that after a poor display of officiating at Upton Park.

The red cards shown to Carlton Cole and Darron Gibson were, at very best, extremely harsh, particularly that of the West Ham striker who watched the ball through the air. Whilst his foot was high I could not see any reason to dismiss him. I think Taylor reacted too quickly to what he thought he saw rather than wait and reflect; the best referees, rather like the best players, appear to have more time than others.

Kicking up a stink: Darron Gibson and Carlton Cole were both sent off

Kicking up a stink: Darron Gibson and Carlton Cole were both sent off

Kicking up a stink: Darron Gibson and Carlton Cole were both sent off

Shocker: Few agreed with Anthony Taylor's decision to send them off

Shocker: Few agreed with Anthony Taylor's decision to send them off

More from Graham Poll…

Graham Poll: Clattenburg returns to the middle… and he'll be under extra scrutiny
20/12/12

Graham Poll: Halsey's poor positioning to blame for missing Fellaini's butt, elbow and slap combo on Shawcross
16/12/12

Graham Poll: How much are referees influenced by Ferguson
15/12/12

Graham Poll: Barry derby spat highlights Clattenburg's sensitivity after Mikel row
14/12/12

Graham Poll's official line: Ferguson might have felt he was playing against 12 men
09/12/12

Graham Poll: Diving Cazorla should be banned for three games, just like Wenger wanted
09/12/12

Graham Poll: Referees are at risk over Platini's proposed Euro 2020 plans
07/12/12

Graham Poll: Bale is not yet in Ronaldo's class (for diving) but he should have been sent off at Fulham
02/12/12

VIEW FULL ARCHIVE

Taylor is a good referee who had a bad day and should look at his more experienced colleagues and learn from them – in particular Howard Webb, who is excellent at taking his time to give himself the best possibility of getting decisions correct – as he did at St Mary’s when waving away the home team's penalty appeals.

Mike Dean is another excellent referee enjoying a good season but he angered Reading boss Brian McDermott at the Etihad on Saturday. I had a little sympathy for McDermott who's team had battled well at the home of the Champions and deserved a penalty. McDermott wanted the kick for a block on Jay Tabb but I felt the penalty should have been awarded for handball by a City defender before contact was made with Tabb.

Of course, McDermott’s mood was not helped by conceding the only goal of the game to a Gareth Barry header. There was nothing wrong with Dean’s judgement with that goal despite McDermott’s insistence that Barry had climbed on Nicky Shorey’s shoulders. Barry was merely more determined to win the ball, which disappointingly Shorey made no attempt to play.

As usual the claim was made that the
referee was favouring the 'big team', a view which was unfounded at the
Etihad but did hold water up the road at Wigan. Roberto Martinez has
often complained about rough justice and after having a soft, but
correct, penalty awarded against him he was denied two, clearer
penalties for handball by referee Jon Moss.

High hopes: Gareth Barry rises to beat Nicky Shorey to the ball

High hopes: Gareth Barry rises to beat Nicky Shorey to the ball

Martinez is an intelligent manager who knows the laws and perceptively stated that neither Kieran Gibbs nor Thomas Vermaelen had their arms in natural positions when they blocked Wigan shots – exactly the phrase referees are asked to consider at possible hand ball situations.

Finally, we return to Upton Park, where the first decision of the game probably set the tone for the match when after just four minutes Everton had a goal disallowed for a block on the West Ham keeper. The offence by Victor Anichebe was a minor infringement and apparently given by assistant Gary Beswick, who was almost 50 yards away and looking through players and a goal post. Worse holding offences happened all over the country and went unpunished and Beswick must realise that a consistent approach is required.

Let’s hope that our beleaguered match officials get what they are hoping for tomorrow before returning to action on Boxing Day.

Tony Pulis makes Marouane Fellaini complaint

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Pulis makes Fellaini complaint as Everton midfielder is only given three-match ban for headbutt

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UPDATED:

22:36 GMT, 21 December 2012

Tony Pulis has made a complaint to referees’ chief Mike Riley over the leniency of the punishment handed out to Everton’s Marouane Fellaini.

Stoke City’s boss was upset that the Belgium midfielder was given a three-match ban following a series of incidents involving Ryan Shawcross.

Fellaini was caught on camera headbutting the England centre back as the pair jostled prior to a corner.

Headbutt: Fellaini was given a three-game ban for this challenge

Headbutt: Fellaini was given a three-game ban for this challenge

The Everton man was retrospectively handed a three-match ban for violent conduct. But two other clashes between the pair were highlighted after the final whistle.

Pulis was upset at referee Mark Halsey’s report and wrote to Riley arguing that one of his players would have been given a lengthier ban had they acted in the same manner.

Fellaini, who has been fined 150,000 by Everton, will be forced to train as normal by manager David Moyes during his ban, including on Christmas Day.

Stoke midfielder Charlie Adam has pulled out of Saturday’s match at Tottenham following the death of his father.

Complaint: Pulis is not happy with the FA's decision

Complaint: Pulis is not happy with the FA's decision

Meanwhile, Everton striker Kevin Mirallas will miss the festive fixtures with a hamstring problem that has led to him being sent to see the renowned Dr Hans Muller-Wolfhart in Munich.

Mirallas has only played for 45 minutes since he pulled up lame against Sunderland on November 10.

‘I am worried, yes, especially as he is a quick, fleet-footed player,’ said Moyes, who will recall Phil Neville following knee surgery.

David Moyes calls on referees to address grappling issue

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Moyes calls on referees to clamp down on penalty area grappling issue

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UPDATED:

11:49 GMT, 21 December 2012

Everton manager David Moyes has called on referees to make their mind up on grappling in the area and to remain consistent on the issue.

Moyes said: 'It's not part of the game. But the only people who can stop it are the referees. If they think that it is OK, then they have got to tell us.'

Midfielder Marouane Fellaini is facing a fine of up to 150,000 after David Moyes confirmed Everton will not be contesting his three-match ban.

Stamp it out: Moyes has called for referees to take action

Stamp it out: Moyes has called for referees to take action

The Belgian midfielder was found guilty of violent conduct by the Football Association yesterday after they took retrospective action following his head-butt on Stoke defender Ryan Shawcross.

Fellaini, however, can consider himself fortunate that he is not facing an even greater suspension as referee Mark Halsey confirmed he saw two other clashes between the 25-year-old and Shawcross during the 1-1 draw at the Britannia Stadium.

The Toffees have also thrown their support behind the Hillsborough charity single which is on course to become Christmas No 1.

The single has been released to raise funds for the families of the 96 Liverpool fans who lost their lives in the disaster in April 1989.

Heads up: Fellaini has been charged by the FA over his clash with Shawcross

Heads up: Fellaini has been charged by the FA over his clash with Shawcross

Moyes said: 'It's great news for the families. When I heard the news a couple of months ago, I was outraged that the police would do that and fabricate the evidence. I’m delighted for the families.

'But (for the song) I think some credit should go to Bill Kenwright. On the night (of the Newcastle game) he was wondering whether to play “walk on” but in the end he decided for 'He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother'.

He felt that was more fitting. It should not go amiss that he chose the song. Let's hope that it raises some (significant) money for the families.'

Model pro Fellaini was recently handed the player of the month award

Model pro Fellaini was recently handed the player of the month award

Marouane Fellaini could be fined 150,000 for Ryan Shawcross headbutt

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Fellaini could be heading for 150k fine after furious Moyes confirms Everton won't contest three-match ban for Shawcross butt

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UPDATED:

08:16 GMT, 18 December 2012

Marouane Fellaini is facing a fine of
up to 150,000 after David Moyes confirmed Everton will not be
contesting his three-match ban.

The Belgian midfielder was found
guilty of violent conduct by the Football Association yesterday after
they took retrospective action following his head-butt on Stoke defender
Ryan Shawcross.

Fellaini, however, can consider
himself fortunate that he is not facing an even greater suspension as
referee Mark Halsey confirmed he saw two other clashes between the
25-year-old and Shawcross during the 1-1 draw at the Britannia Stadium.

Headbutt: Fellaini makes contact with Stoke skipper Shawcross

Headbutt: Fellaini makes contact with Stoke skipper Shawcross

The games he will miss…

West Ham (away), Saturday, December 22

Wigan (home), Wednesday, December 26

Chelsea (home), Sunday, December 30

Moyes is furious with Fellaini for
letting himself and the club down and he will be hit in the pocket. The
maximum fine Everton can impose is two weeks, which equates to 150,000.

Everton had until 6pm today to lodge
an appeal against the ban, which rules him out of games against West
Ham, Wigan and Chelsea, but Moyes has confirmed they will accept the
charge.

Moyes, who expressed contrition
immediately after the game on Saturday, said: 'We were always going to
accept whatever punishment we got. We know he did wrong. We apologise
for the incident.'

The FA said in a statement: 'The
referee confirmed he saw two other incidents, in the 71st and 91st
minutes, also involving Fellaini and Shawcross, neither of which he
deemed violent conduct.'

Rough and tumble: The pair dueled for much of the afternoon during the 1-1 draw

Rough and tumble: The pair dueled for much of the afternoon during the 1-1 draw

Floored: Shawcross was left in a heap after the incident

Floored: Shawcross was left in a heap after the incident

While some will feel Fellaini has got
off lightly, there is no suggestion Everton will go easy on the former
Standard Liege man during his enforced absence and Moyes remains
mystified as to why he acted with such recklessness.

Fellaini, who was last week named
Everton's player of the month for November, has been the driving force
behind his side's eye-catching form this season and his seven goals have
helped give Moyes a platform to strike for Europe in the New Year.

Though Fellaini is understood to be
distraught about what happened, he has put an unnecessary burden at the
busiest time of the campaign on a squad that is already stretched to the
limit.

Fall from grace: Fellaini was named Premier League player of the month for November

Fall from grace: Fellaini was named Premier League player of the month for November

Kevin Mirallas is out with a
hamstring problem, Tony Hibbert has undergone a operation on his calf
that could mean he is sidelined for two months while captain Phil
Neville has missed the last four weeks after knee surgery.

This is not the first time Fellaini
has angered Moyes this season. In September he said during an
international break with Belgium that he would leave Goodison Park if
Everton could not give him Champions League football.

Arsenal, Chelsea and Paris St Germain all remain interested in Fellaini.

Marouane Fellaini banned for three matches for Ryan Shawcross headbutt

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Fellaini banned for three matches after accepting violent conduct charge for Shawcross headbutt

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UPDATED:

18:01 GMT, 17 December 2012

Everton midfielder Marouane Fellaini has been banned for three matches after accepting a charge of violent conduct for his clash with Stoke's Ryan Shawcross.

The Football Association brought the charge retrospectively after reviewing footage of Everton's 1-1 draw with Stoke in the Barclays Premier League on Saturday.

Fellaini and Everton accepted the
charge, little surprise considering the player had already apologised
and his manager David Moyes also condemned the incident, meaning he will
miss the Toffees' next three games.

Headbutt: Fellaini makes contact with Stoke skipper Shawcross

Headbutt: Fellaini makes contact with Stoke skipper Shawcross

The games he will miss…

West Ham (away), Saturday, December 22

Wigan (home), Wednesday, December 26

Chelsea (home), Sunday, December 30

The ban is the equivalent of what the 25-year-old would have received had referee Mark Halsey seen the incident at the Britannia Stadium and issued a red card.

Fellaini will now miss Everton's Christmas fixtures against West Ham, Wigan and Chelsea and will not be available again until the trip to Newcastle on January 2.

A statement from the FA also referred
to two other clashes between Fellaini and Shawcross at the Britannia
Stadium but Halsey has confirmed he saw both and did not consider them
violent conduct.

Fellaini's absence will be sorely felt by Everton after an inspirational first half of the season.

The
Belgium international has scored eight goals and been the driving force
of a team currently fifth in the table and pushing for a Champions
League place.

Floored: Shawcross was left in a heap after the incident

Floored: Shawcross was left in a heap after the incident

The FA's statement read: 'The FA has charged Everton's Marouane Fellaini retrospectively with violent conduct following his side's game at Stoke City on Saturday 15 December, 2012.

'The charge is in relation to an incident in the 59th minute involving Fellaini and Stoke City's Ryan Shawcross, which was not seen by the match officials, but caught on video.

'The referee confirmed that he saw two further incidents in the 71st and 91st minutes, also involving Fellaini and Shawcross, neither of which he deemed to be violent conduct.'

A report on Everton's website confirmed that the Merseyside club would accept the charge.

Fellaini issued a statement after the game apologising for his actions.

He said: 'I apologise completely to Ryan Shawcross, my team mates and to our fans at the game.There was a lot of pushing and pulling going on inside the Stoke penalty area and I didn't feel I was getting any protection from the officials.

Fall from grace: Fellaini was named Premier League player of the month for November

Fall from grace: Fellaini was named Premier League player of the month for November

'Nevertheless I know I shouldn't have done what I did.

'I have also apologised to the manager and the staff. I have no excuses, I was disappointed with the way I was being treated and I lost my temper, which was unprofessional of me.'

Gordon Taylor, chief executive of the Professional Footballers Association, gave credit Fellaini for his apology and to Moyes, who said he expected punishment.

Taylor said: 'It is good to see the lad has apologised for his actions.

'It is disappointing, he has had a great season and obviously it is an aberration.

'It was refreshing to hear the manager accept what he did was wrong and for the player to apologise. He's prepared to accept what comes his way.'

Marouane Fellaini at Everton Christmas party after headbutting Ryan Shawcross

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Bad boy Fellaini heads out on the town as Everton stars enjoy Christmas party

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UPDATED:

11:37 GMT, 17 December 2012

Marouane Fellaini's impending three-match ban for headbutting Stoke captain Ryan Shawcross did not stop him partying with his Everton team-mates on Saturday night.

The Belgium midfielder is in trouble with the FA for his penalty box assault on Shawcross – an incident which referee Mark Halsey missed during Saturday's 1-1 draw at the Britannia Stadium.

Hitting the town: Marouane Fellaini

Night out: Nikica Jelavic

Christmas cheer: Marouane Fellaini (left) and Nikica Jelavic were out and about in Liverpool

Party time: Everton defender Phil Jagielka

Toffees sticking together: Tom Howard

Toffees sticking together: Phil Jagielka (left) and Tim Howard arrive at Playground for the party

The 25-year-old apologised to Shawcross and Everton fans after the game before setting off on the Toffees' Christmas party at a Liverpool nightclub.

Fellaini, along with team-mates including Phil Jagielka and Nikica Jelavic, were all snapped in the streets of Liverpool as they made their way out for a night on the tiles.

Fellaini is likely to miss games against West Ham, Wigan and Chelsea over the Christmas period should he be banned for three games by the FA this week as expected.

No butts: Fellaini is facing a suspension after clashing with Ryan Shawcross on Saturday

No butts: Fellaini is facing a suspension after clashing with Ryan Shawcross on Saturday

Robert Huth: Ryan Shawcross dived when Marouane Fellaini headbutted him

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Shawcross shouldn't have dived when Fellaini headbutted him, jokes Huth

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UPDATED:

13:25 GMT, 16 December 2012

Robert Huth made light of the Marouane Fellaini headbutt on Ryan Shawcross by sarcastically telling his Stoke colleague he shouldn't have dived.

The morning after the incident the German defender tweeted: 'Hate to see diving in the Prem. Stay on your feet Shawcross.'

Everton drew 1-1 with Stoke on Saturday in a game which was marred by the moment in which the Belgian midfielder viciously headbutted Shawcross.

Combative: Both Robert Huth and Marouane Fellaini like to throw themselves around

Combative: Both Robert Huth and Marouane Fellaini like to throw themselves around

Heads, you lose: Fellaini should be banned, according to his manager David Moyes

Heads, you lose: Fellaini should be banned, according to his manager David Moyes

Heads, you lose: Marouane Fellaini should be banned, according to his manager David Moyes, after he appeared to headbutt Ryan Shawcross

Following the match, Toffees boss
David Moyes admitted the headbutt was 'not acceptable' and Fellaini
issued an apology on the club's official website and on Twitter.

'I apologise completely to Ryan Shawcross, my team-mates and to our fans at the game,' said Fellaini.

'There was a lot of pushing and
pulling going on inside the Stoke penalty area and I didn't feel I was
getting any protection from the officials.

Grounded: Shawcross was left in a heap clutching his face after the clash

Grounded: Shawcross was left in a heap clutching his face after the clash

'Nevertheless I know I shouldn't have done what I did.

'I have also apologised to the manager
and the staff. I have no excuses, I was disappointed with the way I was
being treated and I lost my temper, which was unprofessional of me.'

Moyes said after the game that Everton
would accept any punishment, with referee Mark Halsey's failure to act
allowing the FA scope to hand down retrospective punishment.

Retrospective action: Fellaini could face an FA charge after this incident

Retrospective action: Fellaini could face an FA charge after this incident

West Brom v Southampton live

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PREMIER LEAGUE LIVE: West Brom v Southampton – as it happens from the Hawthorns

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UPDATED:

19:54 GMT, 5 November 2012

Follow Sportsmail's coverage of the Barclays Premier League as West Brom host Southampton at the Hawthorns to complete the weekend's fixtures. The Baggies could go as high as fourth with a win against the rock bottom Saints, who have the worst defensive record in the division.

MATCH FACTS

West Brom: Foster, Jones, McAuley, Olsson, Ridgewell, Mulumbu, Yacob, Odemwingie, Gera, Dorrans, Long.

Subs not used: Myhill, Popov, Rosenberg, Brunt, Lukaku, Tamas, Fortune.

Southampton: Gazzaniga, Clyne, Fonte, Yoshida, Fox, Schneiderlin, Steven Davis, Ramirez, Lallana, Rodriguez, Lambert.

Subs not used: Kelvin Davis, Hooiveld, Ward-Prowse, Do Prado, Shaw, Mayuka, Puncheon.

Referee: Mark Halsey (Lancashire)

19.53: Not long to go now. The teams are in the tunnel waiting to get onto the pitch. Cue fair play handshakes and then we can get down to business.

19.48: I know it's still early days, but things are starting to get critical for teams near the foot of the table – in particular QPR and Southampton.

Aston Villa are hardly flying in 17th place, but the bottom three are in danger of breaking off from the pack.

If the Saints fail to get any points in the Midlands tonight they'll still be five points off Paul Lambert's Villa. Something Adkins is clearly looking to address with that goal-hungry line-up he's opted for.

19.43: We're just 17 minutes to kick-off now and I'm expecting some goals.

West Brom have been exciting to watch at home and Adkins is fielding a really attacking line-up.

Not to mention the fact that Southampton have conceded seven more goals than any other team in the Premier League.

Their 14 goals scored – one more than West Brom – isn't too bad for a team rooted to the bottom, mind you.

19.36: Feast your eyes on the full teams in the informative little green box on the right.

Artur Boruc doesn't even make the bench after he allegedly threw a water bottle into the crowd during Southampton's 2-1 defeat against Tottenham at St Mary's.

The club have launched an internal investigation, and Nigel Adkins said he was unwilling to discuss it any further when interviewed on Sky Sports.

19.32: It was another pulsating weekend of action in the English top-flight. A highlight for me was an early contender for goal of the season on Merseyside.

To take an 80-yard pass down with such ease before having the composure to round the goalkeeper with aplomb is something special, and Luis Suarez did that to bring Liverpool level with Newcastle at Anfield. Simply brilliant.

19.26: Here are the starting line-ups then ladies and gents:

West Brom: Foster; Jones, McAuley, Olsson, RIdgewell; Yacob, Mulumbu; Odemwingie, Gera, Dorrans; Long.

Southampton team: Gazzaniga, Clyne, Fonte, Yoshida, Fox, Schneiderlin, S. Davis, Lallana, Ramrez, Lambert, Rodriguez

19.23: West Brom on the other hand can climb further up the table above Tottenham and Everton to fourth place. They may have lost their last two games in the final moments against Manchester City and Newcastle, but victory would spell their best start to a season in over 30 years.

What a job Steve Clarke has done so far in the Midlands. To think people doubted his appointment after Roy Hodgson's departure over the summer.

Attacking options: Shane Long (left) and Adam Lallana (right) will hope to create some chance in tonight's clash

Attacking options: Shane Long (left) and Adam Lallana (right) will hope to create some chance in tonight's clash

19.19: A win tonight for Southampton may not be able to take them out of the relegation zone, but it can at least put them above Queens Park Rangers and Reading and within two points of Aston Villa.

A bit of team news has filtered in. Shane Long is fit and will lead the line for West Brom and – as expected – Gaston Ramirez starts in midfield for Southampton. Looks like Adkins is going for it then.

Full teams on the way soon.

19.15: Good evening, good evening. We've got more Premier League action to get through tonight with Southampton travelling to the Hawthorns to try to earn their first points on the road this season.

The Saints didn't win a single league game in October and West Brom have been tough to beat at home under Steve Clarke.

Nigel Adkins can take some solace in the fact that 11.8million signing Gaston Ramirez is set to return to the Southampton midfield.

Anyway, here's the first stat of the night courtesy of Opta Joe on Twitter. Saints fans may not want to hear it though…

He tweeted: 'If Southampton concede 3+ goals tonight they will break Barnsley's PL record of 28 goals conceded in their first 10 games. Defence.'

Fine start: West Brom are early contenders for a European spot in the Premier League

Fine start: West Brom are early contenders for a European spot in the Premier League

Roberto Mancini ditches "unlucky" purple tracksuits – Charles Sale

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No purple patch for quirky Mancini as Manchester City boss ditches unlucky colour

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UPDATED:

09:54 GMT, 20 October 2012

Manchester City manager Roberto
Mancini’s many quirks now include him declaring purple to be an unlucky
colour.

This has led to the Italian not wanting his players travelling
to away games in their track suits, which have purple piping.

So City’s
kit staff have had to sort out a load of new clothing for away travel
that doesn’t include the offending hue.

Mancini’s squad were in blue
when they set off for Saturday’s match at West Bromwich.

No purple: Roberto Mancini does not want his players wearing the colour

No purple: Roberto Mancini does not want his players wearing the colour

Halsey barred from Jose tribute show

Premier League referee Mark Halsey has been prevented from taking part in an ITV tribute programme marking Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho’s 50th birthday in January.

Halsey, who describes the Special One as a ‘wonderful, wonderful person’, was keen to contribute to the show because of a close friendship with Mourinho forged while the referee was battling throat cancer.

Mourinho was one of the first to contact Halsey after his illness was made public. During his recovery, he was invited to Milan and Madrid to spend time with Jose, who ‘looked after me fantastically’, according to Halsey.

Issue: Mark Halsey was not allowed to talk about Jose Mourinho (above)

Issue: Mark Halsey was not allowed to talk about Jose Mourinho (above)

However, Professional Game Match Officials Ltd, who manage the referees, have refused permission for Halsey to be interviewed, nor have they allowed ITV access to his wife Michelle, despite a number of requests.

A PGMOL spokesman said: ‘It’s standard practice that referees don’t do media during the season unless it relates to the promotion of referees and we can’t make an exception in this case. The referee contracts also include family members in this respect.’

McGrath set to bow out

More from Charles Sale…

Charles Sale: Why the blazers ousted FA chairman Bernstein
18/10/12

Charles Sale: No extra time for FA chief Bernstein's regime
17/10/12

Charles Sale: England's hot date with Brazil at the new Maracana
16/10/12

Charles Sale: Liverpool PR man Chang faces internal probe over Duncan Jenkins claims
15/10/12

Charles Sale: Liverpool see red over Chang bullying claims
12/10/12

Charles Sale: Tottenham back on Olympic track in bid to solve stadium problem
11/10/12

Charles Sale: New power move for Scudamore
10/10/12

Charles Sale: Sir Dave will give his FA vice-chairman post to Gill
09/10/12

VIEW FULL ARCHIVE

BBC commentator Jim McGrath is likely to be calling his last big race in Frankel’s Champion Stakes at Ascot on Saturday, with C4’s Simon Holt the choice to be lead commentator when the network start their exclusive terrestrial coverage next year. However, McGrath’s BBC colleague Rishi Persad will be part of the new-look C4 team along with the omnipresent Clare Balding.

Meanwhile, the Beeb are understood not to be looking back in too much detail at their rich racing history in their Ascot programme because they still have one day left of their doomed racing contract, at Chepstow on December 27. But that meeting is often a victim of the weather.

FA councillors plot Club England move

The Club England set-up is going to find itself under increasing pressure after the FA council prevented chairman David Bernstein from remaining in office past his age-limit 70th birthday next May and rejected proposed governance reforms.

FA councillors, having discovered they still have influence, don’t want a small group of FA executives in charge of the England team. And some of the most influential members of the council want a return to the FA international committee having the final say on England matters.

Mac’s FA ballot blues

FA company secretary Alistair Maclean is seen as not having helped David Bernstein’s chances of staying on as chairman with the way he organised the FA council ballot — especially arguing that proxy votes should be included because they count in a chairman’s election.

Former FA board member John Ward had to point out that the vote was about retaining Bernstein, not appointing him. Maclean is also seen as personalising the issue, to Bernstein’s detriment, by putting his name on the ballot question about the chairman’s period of office.

Thanks for nothing: David Bernstein (right) was not helped by Alistair Maclean

Thanks for nothing: David Bernstein (right) was not helped by Alistair Maclean

FA vice-chairmen Roger Burden and David Gill will lead the hunt to find a successor, with the expectation that they will want candidates in their fifties who can serve at least two four-year terms for much-needed continuity.

Yet Burden was on the nominations group that recommended Bernstein knowing he could stay in the job for less than three years because of his age. The same Burden remarkably described Bernstein as having a ‘humour bypass’ at the FA council meeting this week.

R's swoop for Donnelly

QPR, whose heavy spending needs bringing under control, have appointed Mark Donnelly, who was the FA’s chief finance officer, as their chief operating officer. This is another blow to FA general secretary Alex Horne, who loses his chairman David Bernstein in May.