Southampton star faces FA penalty for what he said to referee in Man Utd loss

The FA has charged Southampton defender Jack Stephens with misconduct after he received a straight red card during his team’s 3-0 loss to Manchester United.

The centre back is accused of making remarks to fourth official Gavin Ward and referee Stuart Attwell after Alejandro Garnacho was high-challed, resulting in Stephens being given the order to march off the field early.

After goals from Marcus Rashford and Mathijs de Ligt broke Southampton’s resistance, the Argentine went on to score United’s third goal of the afternoon off the bench. The hosts had a penalty saved by André Onana in the first half.

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“Jack Stephens has been charged with misconduct following Southampton’s Premier League match against Manchester United on Saturday, September 14,” an FA spokesperson confirmed in a statement.

“It is claimed that after being sent off in the 79th minute, the defender spoke disparagingly and/or abusively to the fourth official and match referee. Jack Stephens must respond by Thursday, September 19, at the latest.

After viewing a replay, Southampton head coach Russell Martin changed his mind from his initial belief that Stephens did not make contact with Garnacho. Martin also received a yellow card for his complaints.

The VAR supported Attwell’s decision to show Stephens a straight red card on the pitch, stating that Stephens had engaged in “serious foul play” prior to quarrelling while leaving the tunnel.

The 30-year-old was found guilty of making a dangerous tackle, and as a result, he was handed an automatic three-match ban. Southampton’s Carabao Cup match against Everton is the first of those matches.

Before playing again against Arsenal the following month, he will serve the balance of his suspension by missing the games against Ipswich and Bournemouth.

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Martin had complained about the process it took between the two match officials which led to Stephens’ red card, though had admitted that he was wrong about how much contact was made between the two players.

“The only thing I was annoyed about was the process of the fourth official and the ref looking at each other for ages and asking if they would give it,” he said in his post-match press conference.

“So that was my only frustration. I felt maybe he missed him during the game, but I think he’s made contact, so it is what it is.

“Gavin Ward made the decision, yeah. The fourth official. The comment was, ‘I would’. So it’s just like, we’ll just say it’s a red card. That’s the only thing annoying me. It shouldn’t even annoy me. It’s fine. I thought he reffed it well. They’re good guys and it’s a tough job.”