Bruno Fernandes saw an important decision go his way from referee Simon Hooper in Manchester United’s 4-4 draw against Bournemouth on Monday night at Old Trafford
Bruno Fernandes has been accused of influencing Simon Hooper’s decision after Manchester United benefited from a contentious free-kick against Bournemouth. Fernandes made it 3-3 on Monday night with a stunning free-kick after Bournemouth captain Adam Smith had been penalised for handball.
In an action-packed match at Old Trafford which finished 4-4, the call to award United a free-kick wasn’t the main talking point. However, it did enrage Bournemouth, with manager Andoni Iraola saying: “I think it’s a clear mistake. Above the armband. It’s not a foul.”
The ball was struck into Smith’s arm from point-blank range but Hooper awarded a free-kick and booked the Cherries skipper for dissent after Fernandes found the top corner. Michael Owen believes that Hooper decided to give the decision, only after being influenced by Fernandes.
“The pace, dip, everything, it was a fabulous free-kick – but it should never have been one,” the former striker said of Fernandes’ free-kick on Premier League Productions.
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“It was a foot away from him, even if it hits him down low, when you kick it into someone when you’re only a yard away then it’s very harsh, his arms weren’t flailing and it was too high anyway. It was a really poor decision.
“Little things make so much difference. People don’t want to see people exaggerating a fall or claiming a free-kick when it isn’t… if Bruno Fernandes doesn’t really go mad when that ball hits he never gets it. The referee thinks, ‘oh, I didn’t see it properly, I’ll give it’, because of the reaction of the player, it’s a human reaction.
“These little things make a massive difference. If Bruno doesn’t do that, if he’s not living on the edge and being a little bit naughty, then they don’t get that [free-kick] and they don’t score that goal. These little, I was going to say dark arts but it’s a bit strong… he was streetwise, let’s say, in winning that free-kick.”
Smith was absolutely furious with the call. He said: “We conceded a sloppy goal straight before half-time which angered us and that showed. As soon as we came out for the second half, we scored (twice) straight away.
“Then, surprise, surprise, the referee gives not a great decision because it hit my shoulder from one yard, so what am I meant to do with my arms? I don’t know. He didn’t even want to talk to me, which is even more disappointing. Even the Man United players said it wasn’t handball!
“As a defender I just do not know what to do anymore. It’s one yard. It’s actually not even one yard – it’s right next to me! It’s hit this [top of sleeve]. I thought this wasn’t handball any more?
“He didn’t even want to speak to me. He said ‘I don’t want to talk to you right now’. Then he booked me after the goal. It’s really frustrating, really frustrating.”
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