Following Tomas Soucek's red card against Fulham on Saturday David Moyes has spoken about his disappointment that football is in the situation where an accidental collision can result in a red card and a suspension.
As West Ham prepared for an injury-time free-kick against Fulham at Craven Cottage on Saturday, Soucek went to free himself from Aleksandar Mitrovic's grasp and in doing so caught the Serbian on the nose.
The Fulham striker fell to the floor holding his face alerting the officials to the incident, which was then reviewed by the video assistant referee Lee Mason, in consultation with on-field referee Mike Dean.
After the collision Mitrovic appealed to referee Dean that it was an accident, an action confirmed by Soucek after the match.
Speaking after the game, Moyes described it as an "embarrassing decision" to dismiss Soucek, with West Ham confirming that they have since appealed the red card.
And now, speaking ahead of West Ham's FA Cup clash with Manchester United on Tuesday, Moyes said: "I am disappointed with football in general that the officials would allow these situations to take over from the game.
"I can only see the officials being the people that can stop it by not allowing the players to get away with the actions they are taking because it is making the referee’s decision so difficult in giving them a decision when there wasn’t one to give."
When asked if Mitrovic was responsible for Soucek's dismissal Moyes replied: "Every footballer has a responsibility to do the correct thing but the officials are giving the players an opportunity to gain success by their actions.
"The only people who can stop it are the officials. No-one else can change it. If players are going to do this, it needs to change.
"If they are going to be rewarded by getting players sent off and winning penalties and getting an advantage, we can’t let that happen. There is nobody else who can stop it other than the officials."
As things stand Soucek is suspended from the FA Cup clash and the following two West Ham league matches, although the club confirmed they are appealing the red card and hope to see it rescinded in time for the trip to Old Trafford.
The situation is a frustrating one for Moyes as he does not know if his top scorer will be available for the fifth-round tie.
"I can't plan for him to be in our team. I am hoping we get an early response and things are seen in the correct fashion," he said.
In other team news, Moyes confirmed that striker Michail Antonio is touch and go for the cup game.
The 30-year-old was substituted on Saturday with 'fatigue' and the Hammers manager said: "He is still fatigued, it will be a close call whether he makes it or not."
