Upon further review, Big Sam still isn’t going to have Big Andy in the fold for the next few weeks.
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce has failed in his second appeal to overturn the red card received by striker Andy Carroll for a violent tussle with Swansea’s hot-tempered thespian Chico Flores.
RELATED: VIDEO – Andy Carroll loses red card appeal, reacts angrily
Allardyce claimed the second appeal was in the name of justice, and the West Ham boss has taken issue with what he deems play-acting by the Swans player. Yet it’s hard to feel for the boss, as Carroll carries a reputation as an antagonist (at best) and swings his arm at a place Flores would presumably be.
Some have disagreed on that part, but to me the purpose is obvious. It matters little that Flores grabs his face and rolls over like a toddler on a hill, Carroll makes contact with the top of his victim’s head and intent matters. This isn’t needed in football, and if you think neither is Flores, well, those aren’t independent concepts.
Carroll will miss relegation scraps with Aston Villa and Norwich City, as well as a visit from Southampton. He’s played in just four matches this season after a lengthy injury absence, building up minutes from 19 to 29 to 63, and 58 in the red card match.
It’s sort of bizarre that West Ham would double-up on its appeal, as the FA showed up to the second one as well. Allardyce’s comments are worth the price of dramatic admission. Read them all via Sky Sports, but here’s my favorite:
“(Referee) Howard (Webb) thought that Andy has smashed him straight in the face by his reaction and then when you see it after there is little or no contact and it is nowhere near his face, so it is a shame.
“The other scenario that he must feel a lot more guilty of is he has just got his manager sacked.”
What a burn, Big Sam. What… a… burn.
