Shay Lacey was sent off in the 89th minute of Manchester United’s FA Cup defeat to Brighton, with the 18-year-old receiving marching orders for throwing the ball in anger at referee Simon Hooper.
Shay Lacey is sent off as Manchester United lose to Brighton in the FA Cup (Image: Carl Recine, Getty Images)
Shay Lacey has apologized to Manchester United supporters after being sent off against Brighton & Hove Albion. Meanwhile, Keith Hackett, former head of refereeing organization PGMOL, said Simon Hooper was right to show the boy a red card for expressing dissent.
The 18-year-old was brought on as a substitute in the second half by Darren Fletcher and scored just before Benjamin Sesco’s goal in the 85th minute sent United back into Sunday’s FA Cup third round tie. However, the home team lost 2-1 to the Seagulls, with only one remaining Premier League game remaining this season, and the team was unable to fully recover.
Adding to the disappointment of being eliminated from the FA Cup was Lacey’s sacking. The player was shown a yellow card by referee Hooper in the 87th minute for a foul on Yassin Ayari.
Just two minutes later, he committed a similar assault against Ferdi Kadioglu. Although the second foul itself was not considered a bookable foul, Lacey’s reaction to angrily throwing the ball led to his ejection.
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After the match, United players posted an apology to the club’s fans on Instagram. He said: “I want to apologize to all my teammates, staff and fans (sad pensive face emoji). I let everyone down tonight. Don’t let your emotions get the better of you. I’ll do everything in my power to make this right (prayer emoji).”
In his analysis, former PGMOL manager Hackett told Football Insider: “Simon Hooper was right to flag this rather unsavory behavior, which of course was clearly the opposite.
“I hope he doesn’t do that again,” Hackett added of the young United player from Liverpool. The player was visibly shaken by his sending off in just the club’s third top-flight appearance.
Lacey challenged Hooper’s decision before leaving the pitch. He covered his face with his shirt as he made his way to the Old Trafford tunnel, and television footage showed the teenager becoming even more frustrated after the incident and running into a wall.
Shay Lacey misses Manchester derby due to red card (Image: James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images)
Lacey will receive a one-match suspension for collecting two yellow cards in one match. These sanctions apply across all competitions in England, meaning the player will miss next weekend’s Premier League derby against Manchester City at Old Trafford on January 17.
The winger will be eligible for United’s visit to the Emirates Stadium on January 25, when they face league leaders Arsenal. United interim manager Fletcher questioned Hooper’s decision.
Fletcher said: “The yellow card for Shay Lacey was ridiculous compared to the fouls we committed throughout the game and in the end the player made a mistake and was sent off. To me it was bad officiating.”
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