Brighton & Hove Albion faces a challenging period without Joao Pedro, following his red card during the match against Brentford. The incident has sparked discussions among pundits and former referees about the fairness of the decision, as Brighton prepares to cope without one of their key players.
Fabian Hurzeler, Brighton’s manager, admitted he hadn’t seen the incident that led to Joao Pedro’s dismissal. Despite the lack of protest from Pedro, who awaited VAR confirmation before leaving the pitch, the decision was widely accepted as correct by pundits such as Gary Lineker and former referee Dermot Gallagher. However, former referees chief Keith Hackett offered a different perspective.
Keith Hackett said, “On the face of it there it looks a bit harsh. I think the referee’s got a good view of it, he’s not hesitated, he’s decided it’s a straight red. He probably has got a better view than we have with the video, but I think if referees are going to penalise this type of offence they’ve got to be across it, all of them, when it happens and all of them achieve a sense of consistency. If they do that it will be to the benefit of the game. But I still believe there have been similar incidents this season that have been punished.”
Joao Pedro’s absence comes at a time when Brighton is dealing with injury issues. His unique flair and ability to change the game will be missed, especially considering his exemplary penalty-taking record. While Danny Welbeck is a capable substitute for penalties, the team may lack the same spark off the bench without Pedro.
Brighton has experienced mixed results without Pedro earlier in the season, managing three wins, three draws, and three losses during his previous absence due to injuries. The team will now have to navigate upcoming matches against Newcastle and Wolves without both Pedro and fellow player Rutter, a first for the league this season.
As Brighton looks to maintain their form, the return of Kaoru Mitoma could provide some relief, potentially filling the gap left by Pedro. The team will need to find new ways to adapt and react, a recurring theme for the Seagulls this season, as they aim to continue their campaign positively.
