Chelsea attacker Mason Mount has admitted that AC Milan defender Fikayo Tomori didn't deserve to be sent off in their UEFA Champions League encounter on October 11.
Tomori was given his marching orders in the 18th minute for appearing to tug Mount back.
German referee Daniel Siebert also awarded the Blues a penalty, but his decision to send Tomori off has drawn huge criticism.
Chelsea went on to win the game 2-0, with Jorginho converting the spot-kick in the 21st minute before Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang struck home a second in the 34th minute.
However, much of the post-match talk has been about Siebert's contentious sending off of former Blues defender Tomori.
Mount has admitted that he doesn't believe the foul warranted a red card, telling the club's official website:
"He's obviously my mate, I've known Fik for a very long time and I felt for him in that situation, I was gutted for him."
He continued,
"I don't think it was a sending-off. Was it a penalty? Maybe yes. I'm an honest player and I want to try to score a goal and he pulled me back a little bit, but I feel for him for that decision. It's a tough one."
Mount went on to explain why he had stayed on his feet despite Tomori trying to pull him back when in on goal:
"I felt him trying to pull me back, but I was running to goal so I wasn't going to go down and I felt like I could still have an opportunity to score."
The win sees Chelsea now top of Group E on seven points, a point ahead of second-placed RB Salzburg.
They face the Austrian side on October 25 and will be looking to confirm their place in the knockout stages with a victory.
Chelsea and England fret on Reece James' injury
Despite Chelsea securing a vital victory over Milan, it was marred by a concerning injury to right-back James.
The English defender had to come off in the 62nd minute to be replaced by Cesar Azpilicueta, having incurred a problem with his leg.
James remained optimistic and posted on Twitter after the win:
"Fingers crossed it’s not a bad one. Love for all the messages, I appreciate you all."
Not only will Blues fans be worried about the extent of the injury, but so will England.
The Three Lions head to Qatar for the 2022 FIFA World Cup at the end of November and James is expected to be a part of the squad.
He has made 11 appearances in all competitions, scoring two goals and providing two assists.
MrJEY_25
4
You Mount thunder ⚡ fire you there, if you have nothing to say keep quiet, what do you now want? Next time make referee no catch foul for you then you complain you'll see
wuebciklms
0
that is racism
fourthorty430
5
He has said this just because both of them grown up together and went to the same club derby county as loan players and came back to became first team players at Chelsea before Tomori was moved on .. They are both English players ...
yuudmnstyz
0
I think there was an amend on the rule about last man who denies a goal scoring opportunity in the penalty box. The new rule is, a last man who tries to play the ball in the penalty box but was unable and fouls an opponent denying him of a goal scoring opportunity should be cautioned (yellow carded) with a penalty given to the attacking team. However, the question is, was there an attempt by Tomori to win the ball? If there was no attempt, then the decision was right. But if there was, the it's wrong. Meaning, yellow card with a penalty kick should have been the right call
Bencruz
1
Mount was speaking with emotions
veeycee
2
Gomez did it and was sent off why is everyone talking of this one 😠😠😠
Josh0521
0
You are right. The sending off and a penalty was a very harsh decision, where there was an attempt by Tomori to win the ball. A yellow card maybe and a penalty who have been the best possible decision
Are you aware it was actually a yellow card but because he had an outstanding yellow
yuudmnstyz
0
You are right. The sending off and a penalty was a very harsh decision, where there was an attempt by Tomori to win the ball. A yellow card maybe and a penalty who have been the best possible decision
Moe-Km
5
This has nothing to do with the players, the ref, or VAR. this is up to the new rule book. it clearly states that if you drop or touch the attacker who's past you as the last man standing, it's a clear denial of a goalscoring opportunity therefor a red card. Don't blame the ref. blame the rule book.
Wiabceklrz
2
You are right
midestivah
0
Mason Mount! Don't bring hatred from refs to Chelsea, because I know the next match even when there is penalty, this statement alone will make the refs to ignore us.
don't mind that kid, he's forgotten that tomori is ko more a Chelsea player, he should learn how to stay clear of ref decision that goes in our favor
midestivah
3
but there's var assistant present at the game, why didn't they intervene in the decision? but I still believe it is a red card offense
midestivah
1
but there's var assistant present at the game, why didn't they intervene in the decision? but I still believe it is a red card offense
Coyacipsyz
1
Mason Mount! Don't bring hatred from refs to Chelsea, because I know the next match even when there is penalty, this statement alone will make the refs to ignore us.