Shea Lacey was sent off during Manchester United's FA Cup third round defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion at Old Trafford on Sunday
Referee Simon Hooper shows a red card to Shea Lacey
Referee Simon Hooper shows a red card to Shea Lacey in Manchester United's miserable FA Cup exit to Brighton at Old Trafford(Image: James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images)
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Simon Hooper was correct to send off Shea Lacey for his act of dissent during Manchester United's FA Cup third-round elimination at the hands of Brighton & Hove Albion, says Keith Hackett, the former head of refereeing body PGMOL.
The 18-year-old had been introduced as one of Darren Fletcher's second-half substitutes and rippled the top of Brighton net shortly before Benjamin Sesko's 85th minute goal brought United back into the cup tie at 2-1 behind.
A full fightback was not to be for the home side, who now only have Premier League football to play for the remainder of the season. Heaping more misery on the FA Cup exit was Lacey's sending off.
The forward had been booked by referee Hooper for the first in the 87th minute for bringing down Yasin Ayari. Two minutes later, he did the same to Ferdi Kadioglu.
Although the second foul was not deemed a second bookable offence itself, Lacey reacted by throwing the ball in anger and this was the action that earned his dismissal.
In review, former PGMOL chief Hackett told Football Insider: "Simon Hooper is correct in cautioning this rather petulant action which, of course, was a clear act of dissent.
"Hopefully the player will not do it again," he added about the United teenager from Liverpool, who was visibly distraught with the sending off in just his third senior appearance for the club.
Lacey protested Hooper's decision before making his way off the field. He pulled his shirt over his face as he approached the Old Trafford tunnel, and television cameras caught the youngster kicking a wall in further frustration over the incident.
After the dust had settled, the United player took to Instagram to post an apology to the club's supporters. He wrote: "I want to apologise to all of my teammates staff and the fans [sad pensive face emoji]. I let everybody down tonight I shouldn’t let my emotions get the better of me I will do everything I can to make this right [praying emoji]."
Lacey will now serve a one-game suspension as a result of receiving two yellow cards in one outing. Because these carry across English domestic competitions, it means he is ruled out of next weekend's Premier League Manchester derby against Manchester City at Old Trafford on January 17.
The 18-year-old will next be available for selection for United's trip to the Emirates Stadium, where they will play league leaders Arsenal, on January 25.
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