adminWest Brom handed referee who sparked meltdown last weekend for crunch clash against Leicester City
The match officials have been announced for West Bromwich Albion’s home match against Leicester City
West Bromwich Albion fell to a second successive Championship defeat last time out and Ryan Mason’s side will look to bounce back in style when Leicester City visit the Hawthorns on Friday evening.
The Baggies remain in seventh place after three wins from their opening four games had given their new head coach the perfect start to his managerial career. Defeats against bogey side Derby County and leaders Middlesbrough have served to prove how tough the division can be, with Friday coming as the perfect opportunity to turn things around.
Leicester also have a new manager at the helm, former QPR boss Marti Cifuentes, with draws in their last two matches also slowing down a fast start to the season. The Foxes are marginally ahead of West Brom in fourth – though just one point clear – and the upcoming fixture is therefore a huge one for both sides. Not only to bounce back from recent disappointing performances and results. But to put down a marker to the rest of the division.
Match officials appointed for West Brom vs Leicester clash
Friday’s match officials for West Brom’s visit of Leicester to the Hawthorns have been announced by the EFL and make interesting reading.
Stephen Martin has been announced as the referee for the game, returning to Championship action after he was the man in charge last weekend when Blackburn Rovers vs Ipswich Town was abandoned at Ewood Park. The decision to end the match due to a waterlogged pitch later sparked controversy when it emerged that Rovers boss Valerien Ismael had not agreed to the abandonment.
A statement by the EFL read: “The decision was taken in agreement with both managers. The Board will now consider what action is to be taken as a result of the abandonment, in line with EFL Regulations.”
The remainder of Martin’s officiating team is comprised of assistant referees Sam Lewis and Jacob Graham, alongside fourth official Lewis Smith.
While the decision in itself to abandon the game was justified in the eyes of many – the pitch was so waterlogged that it was deemed unplayable due to restricted ball movement – it will certainly raise concerns if both managers were not consulted on the decision, despite the EFL stating they had been. West Brom fans will be hoping that no similar incidents occur in the West Midlands on Friday night.
‘I had no choice’ – Blackburn boss Ismael responds
Reported by The Mirror, Blackburn head coach Ismael has responded to claims he agreed to the match being abandoned on Saturday.
“It was chaotic after the game and we had to accept the decision,” he explained. “The referee abandoned the game and we go from there and wait for the decision. We have made our points on the situation and have prepared our case. We were the team pushing, we were on the front foot and we expect to get the reward, because we think that’s the fair thing to do. One thing from my side that has to be really clear is that I saw a report from the EFL at the end of the game.
“I never agreed to stop the game. I had no choice because the referee made his point clear that he had to abandon the game. He said the pitch was unplayable, he said sorry and explained that the EFL will make the decision. I never had to agree to anything because the decision was made. That’s a clear point to make from our position – we didn’t agree anything.”
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