Sheffield United will be without striker Oli McBurnie for the game with Newcastle this coming weekend after he was sent off at Tottenham.
The Blades number nine was shown a second yellow for complaining to the referee late in the game for being held back when trying to bring a ball under control.
And after both McBurnie and Paul Heckingbottom fumed about the officials, former ref Keith Hackett has thrown his weight behind McBurnie and United.
Keith Hackett backs Oli McBurnie after red card at Tottenham
McBurnie had already called out the decision from the ref and was seemingly furious with Peter Bankes, who failed to punish Tottenham’s players for similar offences.
And after McBurnie had posted on X about the decision, former Premier League ref Keith Hackett came out in support of the United striker, insisting he was fouled and it was simply poor officiating.
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The second yellow for McBurnie means United cannot appeal and it means the striker will definitely miss the big game with Newcastle this weekend.
Paul Heckingbottom could also face trouble for his comments after the game. The Blades boss is likely to be fined at the very least, while a touchline ban could also happen.
Sheffield United News View: Long season ahead as things won’t change
Yes, we know United deployed a bit of time wasting at Tottenham and in the end we got punished. But that has always been a leveller between the top and bottom teams and it seems to be getting removed now.
The decision on McBurnie, however, was just baffling. Bankes lost control of this game way before the yellow for Oli Mac and none of us should be surprised he pulled the yellow when he did.
Of course, nothing will change. Hecky will probably get a phone call off Howard Webb or the FA and then next week, it will be another club on the end of a shocking performance in the middle.
Realistically, United are going to just have to get on with it and hope results pick up.