Sadio Mane should have been sent off at Crystal Palace yesterday. He received a yellow card for blatant simulation and should have received a second yellow card when after going down he grabbed the ball denying Palace a clear goal scoring opportunity. By awarding Palace a free kick the referee acknowledged that Mane had deliberately handled the ball and yet when it came to issuing a second yellow card and then a red he bottled it!
Apart from denying Palace a man advantage and sabotaging their fight to stay in the Premier League, this pathetic refereeing decision could also affect Everton. Had the referee made the correct decision and dismissed Mane, he would have received a two match suspension and thus missed the Merseyside derby next week. All Evertonians will no doubt recall Mane’s last minute winner at Goodison last season, it would be just our luck if Mane scored again!