POGBA FACING EXTRA FA RAP FOR MOCKING RED-CARD REF
Arsenal 1 Man Utd 3
PAUL POGBA could be in more trouble, if the FA take a dim view of his sarcastic hand-clapping at the Emirates.
The Manchester United midfield superstar – already facing a threematch ban, that will rule him out of Sunday’s home derby against City – was sent off against Arsenal for stamping on Hector Bellerin. But
he then clapped as he was leaving the pitch, and the FA are awaiting the report from match-referee Andre Marriner today, before deciding whether to investigate his reaction.
The £89million Frenchman will get an automatic three-match ban for violent conduct, which he is unlikely to contest.
That will see him miss the Manchester derby, as well as league games against Bournemouth and West Brom.
And he will be nervously awaiting Marriner’s interpretation of his clapping gesture, with the FA able to increase the punishment if they decide he has breached rules.
Although Pogba, 24, is a big miss for the vital City clash, he is free to play in United’s next match, in the Champions League against CSKA Moscow at Old Trafford tomorrow, with Mourinho’s stars almost in the knockout phase.
Mourinho defended his man – who made two assists in the exciting win at Arsenal – saying: “Paul is very frustrated because everyone knows he is a clean player, and it was not his intention to be close to a red card.”