"I'd be disappointed..." Sheffield United boss criticises Portsmouth man for part in post-match melee after ref chats
Chris Wilder’s verdict on post-match melee after Sheffield United’s battling draw at Portsmouth
Chris Wilder admits he will be “incredibly disappointed” if Sheffield United receive a further sanction from the Football Association after a post-match melee at Portsmouth on Saturday afternoon. Players from United - who have already been fined twice this season by the FA - and Pompey clashed after the final whistle of the goalless draw at Fratton Park.
The coming-together saw home goalkeeper Will Norris fall theatrically to the ground and a separate booking for United skipper Vini Souza, his fourth in just seven games this season that puts him one away from a suspension unless he can go the next 12 games without another caution. The FA will investigate the incident if it is included in referee Matt Donohue’s match report but Wilder doesn’t believe it warranted any further action.
“I didn’t understand the Wrexham one, if I’m honest,” said the Blades boss, referring to United’s £8,500 fine in the EFL Cup after a late flashpoint following the League One side’s consolation goal, “because the ball’s in the net and it’s up to us to get it out. And boys were protecting each other. I totally understood the Watford one and I’ll be incredibly disappointed if anything comes of the Portsmouth one.
“It was two teams going at it, it wasn’t an edgy or a feisty game. It was two teams committed to the tackle. I’ve spoken to Kevin Friend who’s the head of the referee’s performances in the Championship and I talked him through it. And we agreed on certain things in that, in terms of the foul and players asking why the referee blew up on 95 minutes when we felt we should have been allowed an extra one.
“I didn’t like the reaction of the goalkeeper, I’ve got to say, and I’d be disappointed if any of my players did that, but there you go. I didn’t think there was anything in it at all. It is a fine balance, a fine line. But it was two committed teams. I spoke to Marlon Pack afterwards with no issue, John Mousinho with no issue and Jon Harley. We went in for a beer and it wasn’t a malicious or over-the-top game, it was two teams fighting it out.
“Let’s be right about it, do Portsmouth fans want to see their players be committed and represent the shirt and stand up to the challenge and the battle? One hundred per cent they do. Our supporters do the same I didn’t think it was anything of note and hopefully we’ll see that. It’s a competitive game and more importantly, it’s an emotional game. People talk about the passion in the game, we love it and I want to see that passion from my team. I spoke to a couple of the players about their conduct on it and we have to make sure we get the balance right. And I believe we are.”