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‘Love it’ - Former Premier League referee and pundits on Coventry City’s naughty Norman
Coventry City’s 2-2 draw with Sheffield United has been the subject of discussion on Sky Sports ‘Ref Watch’ feature with former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher, who has described Norman Bassette’s reaction to Anel Ahmedhodzic’s sending of as “not nice”.
The lively Sky Blues striker provoked the Blades’ defender after he’d gone to ground following a tackle by the Belgian, who leaned over him, put his hand to the back of his neck and clearly said something to the player who was lying on the floor.
Ahmedhodzic jumped up and reacted by shoving Bassette in the neck and forcing him to the ground, whereupon he held his face. The referee, Darren Bond, was perfectly placed to see the incident and immediately showed the United player the red card, just before half-time.
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Bassette was then caught on camera during he televised lunchtime match as winking at the player and blowing him a kiss.
The Ref Watch host asked Gallagher if there was any doubt about the decision and what he thought about Bassette and his involvement.
“Well, the Sheffield United player – I don’t know if he’s (Bassette) said something when he bends over him (when Ahmedhodzic is on the floor) but he just reacts then,” said Gallagher, describing the footage.
“But you can’t do that, and once you put your hand up on his throat you’re in trouble. The ref gives a red card. I don’t know what was said but it was obviously something because he’s angry and he’s reacted. The referee is looking straight at it, so it was always going to be a red card.”
Asked about Bassette’s wink and blowing of a kiss, he added: “I think if the referee sees that he would have liked to send him off but he didn’t see it anyhow, and he can’t send him off. But, not nice was it!”
Breaking into a chuckle, Sky pundit and former England international Sue Smith said: “He’s completely wound him up hasn’t he, and Ahmedhodzic can’t react like that and push someone round the throat. But the fact that he (Bassette) went down holding his face... He didn’t touch his face so that was the first one, and then to do a little wink and blow a kiss afterwards, you’d be so frustrated. If it’s your team you love it because you love the fact that you’ve wound a player up and got a player sent off, but if he’s against you, wow, you would be very angry.”
Former Sky Blues striker Jay Bothroyd added: “I found that really funny, to be honest. First of all it wasn’t a foul in no way, shape or form. And then obviously he’s turned round and it’s like the Kevin De Bruyne one where’s saying, ‘get up,’ but he (Bassette) put his hands around the back of his neck, didn’t look like he’s grabbed his neck, and then obviously said something and got the reaction, and probably what he’s played for really and the defender’s bit. It’s a red card.”
