Referee Craig Pawson and Bournemouth winger Antoine Semenyo
(Credit: Getty Images / Imago / Sky Sports)
Keith Hackett
Sun 16 March 2025 9:00, UK
Bournemouth winger Antonoine Semenyo would have been shown a red card had his two fouls been committed the other way around, according to Keith Hackett.
The former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA official exclusively told Football Insider that had his foul on Kevin Schade come before the elbow on Keane Lewis-Potter he was yellow carded for, he definitely would have been sent off.
Bournemouth’s attempt at Champions League qualification took another hit, after losing 2-1 to an in-form Brentford side.
The Cherries took the lead thanks to a Vitaly Janelt own-goal, before January Arsenal target Yoane Wissa soared through the air to level for the Bees.
Brentford then took all three points, thanks to a solid strike from Everton target Christian Norgaard, condemning Bournemouth to a run of five games without a win in 90 minutes.
Antoine Semenyo was lucky not to see red against Brentford.
Antoine Semenyo escapes second yellow after foul on Kevin Schade
Having elbowed Lewis-Potter just minutes earlier, Semenyo then made a somewhat questionable decision.
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Schade was running down a blind alley, looking to clear the ball, before the Ghanaian international stepped across the German, tripping him, and bringing him down.
The former Bristol City man then turned to Pawson, hands up, pleading his innocence.
The referee answered with a stern talking to, choosing not to show Semenyo a second yellow card.
The decision was an interesting one, although it was not a dangerous foul, it is one that is not uncommon to be deemed yellow-card-worthy, with the in-demand winger getting off lightly.
Craig Pawson
Craig Pawson took a lenient approach with Antoine Semenyo. (Credit Getty Images)
Keith Hackett gives expert insight into referee Craig Pawson’s thought process
When asked whether the timing of the two fouls, given they happened so close together, could have played a part in Pawson’s decision, Hackett told Football Insider exclusively that current officials are upping the threshold for what constitutes a second booking compared to a first:
“In refereeing it is easy to dismiss players.
“Interestingly if these two offences had been committed the other way round I have no doubt that both would have received a yellow card.
Bournemouth last five fixtures Result Competition
Brentford (H) 2-1 Loss Premier League
Tottenham (A) 2-2 Draw Premier League
Wolves (H) 1-1 Win on penalties FA Cup
Brighton (A) 2-1 Loss Premier League
Wolves (H) 1-0 Loss Premier League
“However, referees at the elite level are looking more for that second yellow to be more towards an orange. By that we are looking for a nailed on second yellow card and the foul being reckless.”
Bournemouth will face Man City at home in the FA Cup quarter-final in their next match, as they look to find the same form that pushed them up the Premier League table earlier in the season.
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