It was a decision that didn’t come as much of a surprise to us all, but still had us angry and confused at what exactly caused the FA to uphold Andy Carroll‘s red card against Swansea on Saturday.
The general consensus is that their decision essentially consents to Chico Flores’ simulation and intent on getting Andy Carroll sent off. Carroll had been a handful for Swansea all game and had won every header against him all game and the only way he was going to prevent that from continuing was to get him sent off.
But, with the FA’s decision comes a huge outcry of disbelief, anger and injustice from West Ham fans, as well as neutral football fans who are upset at the FA’s backing of a Flores’ blatant gamesmanship.
Here’s how Hammers fans, including Andy Carroll himself, reacted to the decision…
DISGRACEFUL!!!
— Andy Carroll (@AndyTCarroll) February 4, 2014
@FA prinicpally advocating cheating by upholding @AndyTCarroll ban
— 父 Jason 父 (@quornholio) February 4, 2014
@FA but you bottled it yet again – a shameful display from a professional footballer, but even worse by our Football Association
— ChelmoHammer (@ChelmoHammer) February 4, 2014
The @fa decision is making main news streams not just sport. Just shows the depth of how wrong they are.
— 父 Simply Al 父 (@WHU_Al) February 4, 2014
This is the same @fa that saw this as 'accidental', so they could send their England captain to France 98 #corrupt http://t.co/Ce3BlpfFd5
— Billy's Bandage (@WHUFCMessia) February 4, 2014
The @FA are a laughing stock, failing to overturn a decision based on blatant play-acting, all to avoid admitting Howard Webb was conned
— Jordan Sayward-jones (@jsaywardjones) February 4, 2014
So the next time one of my pupils takes a dive in a school game it's no good me telling them off as @FA have just made it part of the game
— Chicago Hammers (@ChicagoHammers) February 4, 2014
Football is no longer ‘The Beautiful Game’. Its becoming an embarrassment and the FA are the main reason for this.
— West_Ham_COYI (@West_Ham_COYI) February 4, 2014
So once again the FA have proven how incompetent they really are. Failure to rescind Carroll's three match ban is an absolute farce.
— Matt ⚒ Hamblin (@MattHamblin95) February 4, 2014
I hope we expliot this and do the same as chico when we get the chance as its now with in the FA rules cheating is ok
— C O Y I – WHU (@T12GUT) February 4, 2014
Howard Webb and Chico might have just gotten us relegated. Biggest 3 games of the season coming up. Cheers @FA
— Paul Slater (@paulslater_) February 4, 2014
Everyone knew it should have been rescinded; everyone also knew it wouldn't be. Such a shame- very disappointed in the @FA. #AndyCarroll
— Emily Pulham (@makingthemarrow) February 4, 2014
Knew it wouldn't get rescinded! If that's a red then it might as well become a non contact sport. What a joke @FA
— Alfie Harris (@harris_whu) February 4, 2014
Lets thank @fa for relegating @whufc_official this season after the decision not to over turn the @AndyTCarroll red card #prayforchico #COYI
— StevenTeasdale (@DistrictManage1) February 4, 2014
If they are saying the red card was due to intent then would they have still upheld it had no contact been made?? No. @FA overhaul needed!
— Jordan Sayward-jones (@jsaywardjones) February 4, 2014
