Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler escapes touchline ban in clash with Chelsea but will be missing Joao Pedro in the next game.
Unfortunately, Brazilian player Joao Pedro will sit out Saturday’s match against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge due to an ankle injury sustained from a tackle by Forest captain Morgan Gibbs-White. The incident led to dramatic scenes on the pitch with Gibbs-White being shown a red card, followed by Hurzeler and Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo also being sent off. All three were later charged by the FA.
Hurzeler, disciplined for stepping onto the Amex Stadium pitch after Pedro’s foul, had a respectful conversation with Howard Webb, the chief refereeing officer of Professional Game Match Officials Limited.
Pedro, recovering from an injury picked up during international duty with Brazil, entered the Forest game as a substitute in the 71st minute and subsequently suffered more troubles. Hurzeler mentioned, “We have to go week by week with him. But I don’t think he will be an option for the weekend. I’m not sure how long he will be out. I think Joao is a good healer. I’m convinced he will be back soon. But of course, also with this player, we can’t take any risks.”
Describing his reaction as emotional, Hurzeler expressed concern for Pedro’s well-being following Gibbs-White’s challenge. Reflecting on the incident, he stated, “If you give a red card for this, you have to ban a lot of coaches during the games because, in an emotional situation of the game, it will happen that you make a step on the pitch.”
Hurzeler, charged by the FA for improper conduct, emphasized the importance of a clear discussion with Howard Webb to understand the referee’s perspective and ensure a good relationship moving forward.
Maintaining a respectful relationship is crucial, and my interaction with Howard demonstrated both empathy and active listening. I am optimistic that we will ultimately reach the right solutions.
