Bournemouth star accuses Anthony Taylor of ignoring little-known rule after ‘mental’ refereeing display against Chelsea
BOURNEMOUTH skipper Adam Smith blasted “mental” refereeing in his side’s 1-0 loss to Chelsea.
Whistle-mad Anthony Taylor booked a Prem record 14 players on Saturday — costing both clubs £25,000 in FA fines.
Eight Blues stars saw yellow, including debutant Jadon Sancho just 11 minutes after coming on as sub, along with six from the hosts.
Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca and Cherries fitness coach Pablo de la Torre were also booked.
Defender Smith, 33, said: “I can’t deal with it any more. Every foul was a yellow. It’s mental.
“He booked me for just going up to talk to him about the penalty and the sending-off decision.
“I’m the captain and I’m allowed to do that but he said I had come from a far distance and that’s why he booked me. But I don’t understand.”
Smith wanted to ask the official why keeper Robert Sanchez was not sent off for a foul on Evanilson when he had a clear scoring opportunity.
Captains are allowed to discuss decisions with referees in a calm manner.
Taylor gave a penalty and Blues ace Sanchez saved Evanilson’s kick.
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Smith added: “That’s what I said and he booked me. I guess it’s just little Bournemouth, which I’ve had for the past nine years.”
Smith has played 380 games for the Cherries and just signed a one-year contract extension but admits football can leave him baffled.
He said: “Sometimes I don’t enjoy the game. It’s multiple things, to be honest. It’s refereeing for sure, which is just draining, really draining.”
Chelsea keeper Robert Sanchez was only shown a yellow for his clumsy challenge on Evanilson due to the “double jeopardy” rule.
That rule means players can only be sent off and give away a penalty if they didn’t try and make a challenge for the ball – something Taylor and VAR deemed Sanchez to have done.