Jason Cundy has now urged the Premier League to change its rule on overturning bans after Arsenal’s Takehiro Tomiyasu received a controversial red card at Crystal Palace.
Referee David Coote sent Tomiyasu off as Arsenal beat Crystal Palace on Monday night after two yellow card infringements. He initially cautioned the 24-year-old for time wasting with a throw-in. The official then pulled out the red after deeming him to have fouled Jordan Ayew.
Ayew was fortunate to still be on the Selhurst Park pitch himself when Coote gave Tomiyasu his marching orders. Coote chose against giving the winger another yellow card despite him wrestling Bukayo Saka to the ground. Ayew had earlier clipped Kai Havertz to earn a caution.
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Coote gave Tomiyasu a controversial red card at Crystal Palace
Tomiyasu could feel hard done by to receive both of his yellow cards before Arsenal held on to their 1-0 lead at Crystal Palace with 10 men, as well. Coote first reached for a yellow card as the full-back held onto the ball for around eight seconds whilst looking to take a throw-in.
He made a genuine effort to take a throw-in quickly but had no teammates available to play into. Yet Coote felt Arsenal as a team were wasting time, having also warned Thomas Partey. So, he cautioned Tomiyasu as Havertz had originally shilly-shallied over taking the throw-in.
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The second yellow that led to Tomiyasu’s red card enrages former Chelsea defender Cundy more, however. Coote cautioned the 33-cap international again only seven minutes after his first yellow. Ayew also made a meal of the slight contact to coax the official to send him off.
“The [second] Tomiyasu yellow card is an absolute disgrace,” Cundy has told talkSPORT. “It’s an absolute disgrace.”
Cundy wants a Premier League rule change after Arsenal’s win
Despite Arsenal holding on to beat Crystal Palace with 10 men, Cundy believes the red card Coote gave Tomiyasu should now see the Premier League change its rule about overturning suspensions. As it was for two yellow cards, the Gunners cannot now appeal Tomiyasu’s ban.
Cundy added: “Even though it’s harsh on Tomiyasu, I can understand the [first] booking. The second one, Jordan Ayew goes down looking for it. He doesn’t even touch him! I don’t think that Arsenal can actually appeal that as it was a second yellow.
“If there is any common sense, that yellow card should be overturned. If there’s any common sense in the game.”
Clubs can only appeal suspensions for straight red card instances like Liverpool successfully achieved with Alexis Mac Allister. Referee Thomas Bramall showed the 24-year-old a straight red against AFC Bournemouth on Saturday for serious foul play after a foul on Ryan Christie.
But Liverpool could appeal against Mac Allister’s three-game ban, with the FA’s independent regulatory commission also upholding it on Tuesday. Arsenal cannot appeal Tomiyasu’s one-match ban and will be without the defender at home to London rivals Fulham this Saturday.