Ex-Premier League referee chief reckons Bournemouth have 'every right to complain' about Andre Ayew's penalty decision

Published on: 26 November 2015

Former Premier League official Mark Halsey believes Bournemouth have had “every right to complain” about the standard of refereeing this season following a controversial Andre Ayew penalty decision last Saturday.

Halsey – who spent 12 years as a top-flight ref before retiring in 2013 – is adamant Eddie Howe’s team has been on the wrong end of a series of decisions.

His comments come after the latest incident saw Andre Marriner award Swansea a hotly-disputed penalty during Cherries’ 2-2 draw at Liberty Stadium on Saturday.

The West Midlands-based official had no hesitation in pointing to the spot after Swans frontman Andre Ayew had gone to ground during a tussle with Simon Francis.

Ayew took a tumble as he and the Cherries defender vied for possession with replays indicating the Ghanaian international had fallen over his own feet.

The controversial decision, which had looked questionable in real time, ended with Jonjo Shelvey netting the resultant penalty as Swans pulled back a 2-0 deficit.

Although Swans boss Garry Monk felt Marriner had made the correct call, he was in the minority and Halsey was convinced his former colleague had reached the wrong decision.

“He gave himself absolutely no time to think at all,” said Halsey. “There was a minute bit of contact but, in the end, Andre Ayew tripped himself up. It was never a penalty kick.

“Andre (Marriner) guessed a bit and I always say that if you are unsure about whether a foul has been committed or not, then give nothing.

“Bournemouth have had the rough end of the stick from referees since they came up to the Premier League and they have every right to complain.”

However, while Halsey felt Marriner had been wrong to award Swansea a spot-kick, he agreed the official had taken the right course of action following a robust tackle by Shelvey on Harry Arter late in the game.

Halsey was asked for his observations after being sent a copy of a picture taken by the Daily Echo’s Corin Messer which showed the England international lunging in on the Cherries midfielder.

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