HUDDERSFIELD Town have ruled out pushing for a replay of their controversial Yorkshire derby clash with Sheffield Wednesday.
Referee Mick Russell’s failure to send off visiting winger Jeremy Helan after showing him two yellow cards in the first half was the major talking point of Saturday’s goalless draw.
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Town manager Simon Grayson, whose side slipped to 16th in the Championship, says the Hertfordshire official should be punished for his error (see Final Whistle front page).
Grayson described it as a “major mistake” and revealed Russell apologised to him amid suggestions he noted the name of Michail Antonio, not Helan, for the first booking.
Former Football League referee Tony Leake said he expects Russell to be stood down for a spell, and that a replay of the fixture at the John Smith’s Stadium is not out of the question.
“The matter will now need to be dealt with by the relevant authorities,” said Leake, who officiated between 1997 and 2006. “You cannot rule out the possibility of a replay.
“If Huddersfield had won I would not expect that to happen, but if they believe the player being on the field meant the result did not go in their favour it could be the game is replayed.”
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English referee Graham Poll famously booked Croatia defender Josip Simunic three times before showing him a red card during their 2006 World Cup fixture against Australia.
Following that error FIFA president Sepp Blatter indicated Australia could have demanded a replay had they lost and been knocked out.
However, sources within the club suggest that is not a route Town would want to go down.
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