Ashley Barnes 'horror tackle': FA rules out action
Reaction was swift and vociferous to the FA's decision not to investigate Barnes' tackle on Nemanja Matic
The news that the Football Association will take no action over Ashley Barnes's horrendous tackle on Nemanja Matic has stunned many within English football.
Barnes' wild lunge at the Chelsea midfielder during Burnley's 1-1 draw with the Blues at Stamford Bridge on Saturday went unpunished by referee Martin Atkinson, and instead he dismissed Matic for his violent reaction to the tackle that Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho described as "criminal".
Mourinho wasn't alone in his view of Barnes' shin-high tackle. Speaking on Match of the Day, pundit Alan Shearer labelled it "horrific" and "dangerous", adding that he understood Matic's reaction "because Ashley Barnes could easily have broken his leg".
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Yet despite the furore, the FA released a statement on Twitter on Monday afternoon in which they said there would be no retrospective action as the incident had been seen by Atkinson who decided it didn't warrant any sanction.
In a series of subsequent messages on the social media site, the FA explained their thinking behind the surprising decision.
"In the vast majority of challenges for the ball, no retrospective action is taken as the incident has been seen by the match officials," declared the FA. "Retrospective action was introduced as a deterrent for 'off the ball incidents' committed out of sight of officials."
The FA's final word on the subject was: "The whole game is in agreement that, in the vast majority of cases, match officials are best-placed to deal with incidents to avoid re-refereeing."
Response to the FA's announcement was quick to come with former Premier League striker turned pundit Mark Bright tweeting: "If Martin Atkinson saw the Ashley Barnes challenge & thought it wasn't worthy of red card, then football is in grave danger."
Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker was similarly nonplussed with the decision, tweeting: "So Martin Atkinson did see Ashley Barnes' tackle on Matic. Wow!"
Such has been the universal condemnation of Barnes' actions, that Burnley manager Sean Dyche felt obliged to come to his player's defence in an interview with the club's TV channel. Admitting that slow-motion replays made it appear an "ugly challenge", Dyche said it was a full-blooded tackle that was more a case of "coming-together at an unusual angle".
Meanwhile Atkinson won't be taking charge of any Premier League games this weekend, instead acting as the fourth official for the match between Manchester United and Sunderland on Saturday.
The news comes amid a storm of criticism from former officials for his handling of Saturday's fiery clash at Stamford Bridge. Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher told Sky Sports that "quite clearly it was a red card", while ex-referees' chief Keith Hackett was scathing in his assessment of Atkinson's performance, described it as "incompetent" and "one of the worst" he had ever seen.
Chelsea have said they will appeal against Matic's red card in the hope that his three-match ban will be rescinded allowing him to play in Sunday's league cup final against Tottenham at Wembley.
Not everyone sympathises with Chelsea, however, with many Arsenal fans quick to point out that last season Mourinho wasn't quite so outraged when Mikel John Obi broke the shin pad of Gunners' midfielder Mikel Arteta with a nasty tackle that went unpunished.
"You know," sneered the Chelsea manager at the time, when asked what he thought of Arsenal's anger at the challenge, "they like to cry."
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Last hopes for justice for UK's nuclear test veterans
Under the Radar Thousands of ex-service personnel say their lives have been blighted by aggressive cancers and genetic mutations
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
'It may not be surprising that creative work is used without permission'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
5 simple items to help make your airplane seat more comfortable
The Week Recommends Gel cushions and inflatable travel pillows make a world of difference
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published
-
Thomas Tuchel to become next England football manager
Speed Read 'Divisive' German coach hopes to lead the men's team to victory
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
The Premier League's spending cap: levelling the playing field?
Talking Point Top clubs oppose plans to link spending to income of lowest-earning club, but rule could prevent success gap from widening
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Is a new English football regulator an own goal for the game?
Talking Point PM hails 'historic moment for football fans' but West Ham owner warns it could 'ruin' Premier League
By The Week UK Published
-
2023-2024 Premier League predictions: champions, relegation and golden boot
feature A look at the top flight talking points and pundit picks for the new season
By Mike Starling Published
-
Man City: can ‘one of the best sides in history’ win the treble?
feature Guardiola’s Premier League champions have two more trophies in their sights
By The Week Staff Published
-
Premier League: Man City vs. Arsenal predictions
feature What the pundits say about tonight’s title race showdown at the Etihad
By Mike Starling Last updated
-
Antonio Conte leaves Tottenham after ‘extraordinary’ rant at players
feature After another year without a trophy, Spurs are now searching for a new manager
By The Week Staff Published
-
Liverpool 7 Man Utd 0: ‘welcome to Jürgen Klopp’s Liverpool 2.0’
feature Anfield’s ‘new front three’ were on fire in the humbling of their bitter rivals
By Mike Starling Published