West Ham are set to be without influential midfielder Manuel Lanzini for this weekend’s crucial Premier League clash with fellow strugglers Newcastle United, after being issued a two-match suspension for diving last weekend.
The Argentine midfielder was adjudged to have deceived the match officials in the 3-0 victory over Stoke City last weekend, earning a penalty which provided the opportunity for the opening goal- and the Hammers didn’t look back.
Whilst some fans feel the punishment for Lanzini may have been unfair, the Football Association have been praised by West Ham coach Stuart Pearce- who is quoted by The Evening Standard as suggesting Lanzini’s ban is for the greater good.
“I’ve been very supportive to referees and the FA over the years and will be, going forward. If people deem that diving is a problem in our game and that they don’t like watching it, which I don’t when I am a spectator, the FA and the Premier League have to do everything they can to eradicate it.”
“If we have to take one on our chin because they deem that Manu went down cheaply at Stoke, we have to accept it for the greater good if that helps eradicate it from the game.”
“With regard to that incident — and if I was on the panel looking at it and bearing in mind that he had run 70 yards with the ball and the defender had gone to ground and dangled a leg at him — I would probably have an element of uncertainty and warned him about his conduct, advising him to stay on his feet a little more.”
“They’ve made a decision, though, and if [suspensions are] for the greater good of the game and the authorities are consistent, then I’ll support it. The West Ham fans and even some of my fellow staff members may have a different opinion, but referees and assistants need all the help they can get. They don’t need to be vilified.”
