Calls for Heung-min Son to Face FA Review Following His Actions Against Man City
Keith Hackett Criticizes Heung-min Son’s Conduct After Spurs’ Defeat to Man City, Suggests FA Could Be Notified
Referee Jarred Gillet made several controversial decisions during Manchester City’s 1-0 victory over Tottenham, most notably disallowing Erling Haaland’s late second-half goal for handball.
Despite this, the reigning Premier League champions managed to hold on to their narrow lead, with Spurs unable to capitalize on their sustained pressure in the latter stages of the game.
After the final whistle, Heung-min Son and Brennan Johnson were seen engaging in an intense conversation with Gillet, though the exact nature of their discussion remains unclear.
Son’s Actions Could Be Reported to the FA
Former Premier League referee Keith Hackett was critical of Son’s post-match protest and suggested that the Tottenham captain should have received a yellow card.
He speculated that Son may have been complaining about the amount of added time and expressed his belief that the FA should be made aware of the incident.
Hackett told Tottenham News:
“Jarred Gillet has delivered two very strong performances in recent days.
His movement and ability to stay close to the action were excellent, and he made his decisions with confidence.
“The only moment worth discussing was his judgment on the handball that led to Manchester City’s disallowed goal.
He ruled that a handball had occurred and made the call accordingly.
“Spurs players should reflect on their own actions. I hope the referee includes Son’s behavior in his match report, as he was fortunate to avoid punishment despite his prolonged protests.
“Did Son not see that Manchester City had a goal ruled out? If he was arguing about added time, he should familiarize himself with Law 5, which states that the referee is the sole timekeeper.
“To me, Son’s protests were unnecessary. I would have liked to see Gillet issue him a yellow card to reaffirm his authority.”
Son’s Strong Disciplinary Record
While Hackett believes Son should have been booked, the South Korean international has built a reputation for exemplary conduct throughout his ten-year Premier League career.
He has rarely shown disrespect toward match officials or displayed visible frustration.
Even if Gillet includes the incident in his report, Son’s clean disciplinary history will likely be taken into account by the FA.
Moreover, the fact that the referee did not book him suggests that Son did not use any offensive language, despite his animated gestures.
