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“FA hits back over Webb criticism”

27 Jan 2012

 F.A chairman David Bernstein has hit back at criticism levelled at Howard Webb by the agent of Mario Balotelli after the Englishman played a part in the Manchester City forward’s four game ban for violent conduct.

Balotelli was retrospectively handed a four game ban after the Italian appeared to stamp on Tottenham’s Scott Parker during City’s 3-2 Premier League win on Sunday, an outcome backed by mobile bet offers.

Webb apparently missed the incident on the pitch and took no action for Balotelli’s stamp despite being nearby when the incident took place, but agreed later that he would have sent the former Inter Milan striker off during the game had he seen it.

His role in the F.A’s disciplinary process led to Balotelli’s agent Mino Raiola labelling Webb, who refereed 2010’s World Cup final between Holland and Spain, a ‘coward’ after the ban was not appealed by City, meaning Balotelli missed his side’s semi-final tie against Liverpool on Wednesday.

However Bernstein has backed Webb’s role in the disciplinary process, and described any criticism of the Yorkshireman as ‘reckless’.

"He has the utmost respect from within football in England and around the world,” Bernstein said. “That could not have been demonstrated more clearly than in 2010, when he was chosen to referee the UEFA Champions League final and the FIFA World Cup final, and this summer he has been selected for UEFA Euro 2012.

"We all have a duty to respect our referees. To question their integrity or imply anything other than total impartiality is reckless and unfounded.

"It harms the perception and treatment of referees at every level of football, and we must not allow that climate to exist." He added.

Meanwhile the F.A have also moved to clear up the steps taken in banning Balotelli, with the governing body insisting that they have the final say over whether a player is suspended or not.

"The FA goes through a simple process,” spokesman Scott Field said. “First off, it clarifies with the referee whether the incident has been seen or not seen by that particular match official.

"If the incident has been seen and dealt with on the day, regardless of the outcome, then the FA do not act.

"If the indication from the official is that he did not see the incident then the FA quite simply asks the referee to review the incident and tell the FA what they would have done had they seen it in the first incidence."

Joleon Lescott and Peter Crouch were both the subject of scrutiny of the F.A’s disciplinary panel, with Balotelli’s team-mate Lescott not cited for a perceived elbow on Younes Kaboul in Sunday’s encounter at the Etihad Stadium.

"In the respect of Joleon Lescott and Peter Crouch, which are incidents that Sky Sports News have highlighted this week, the FA became aware of these, asked the respective match officials whether they had seen the incident.” Field commented.

"It was indicated by both match officials that they hadn't, so the subsequent question was then asked by the FA: 'Had you seen the incident what would you have done?'

"The indication from the match official was that they would have not dismissed the player for that particular incident. Where that happens, the FA then closes the case file and no further action occurs."