Liverpool FC will appeal the 3 game ban automatically dished out to Sadio Mane following the weekend's game with Manchester City.
The reds were 1 goal down when referee Jonathan Moss handed Mane a red card for what most of the football world has called an accident. The reds, a man down, were eventually beaten 5-0 - the clubs joint heaviest defeat in the Premier League.
Mane's ban would mean he misses the next three domestic fixtures - Burnley at Anfield in the Premier League followed by two games away at Leicester; the first of which is the League Cup.
Liverpool had to make their appeal decision before 5pm today and they believe the incident yesterday shows perfectly the differences in how the rules are being applied.
In Sunday's Premier League game a similar incident occurred in the Swansea-Newcastle fixture. Matt Ritchie was only given a yellow card after going in on the Swans' Alfie Mawson. A difference noted amongst the opposing players reactions - on Saturday Nicolas Otamendi gestured furiously to the ref to send Mane off, whereas Mawson was quick to defend Ritchie to referee Mike Jones.
After the reds game at the weekend Jurgen Klopp had said:
“There was not one second he looks at the goalkeeper. He just wanted to get the ball as soon as possible. Hopefully the goalie is not seriously injured.
“Sadio is very upset. We couldn’t keep him – he was shocked about the situation. I am sure also about the decision.”
Liverpool do not expect the red card to be overturned, meaning Sadio Mane will at the very least miss next weekend's game against Burnley.
He is not good enough to even handle a game of this magnitude. These are two teams going neck and neck for the title and the last you need is a referee to spoil the show. What an incompetent fool.
Jon moss is not qualified to make game changing decisions. He’s a very very poor referee.