Lampard insists Ayew deserved red card but Swansea consider appeal
Swansea coach Carlos Carvalhal will consider launching an appeal against Jordan Ayew's red card at Huddersfield Town.
Swansea City claimed a hugely creditable goalless draw at the John Smith’s Stadium despite losing Ayew after just 11 minutes.
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The Swans striker saw red after challenging for the ball with Huddersfield midfielder Jonathan Hogg.
Ayew is facing a three-match ban after referee Michael Oliver opted to dismiss him, apparently after taking advice from fourth official Jon Moss.
And Carvalhal feels the Swans may have grounds for an appeal.
“It was right in front of me,” he said.
“I don’t usually talk about refereeing decisions, but I think this one was from the fourth official.
“To me, it was not a red card. I thought that at the time and I think the same after watching the video.
“Two players fought very hard for the ball and their feet were in exactly the same position. They were both fighting for the ball.
“If it’s a red card to one then it should be a red card to both of them. I think Jordan slipped a little on the pitch and their player did the same. They were like two bulls colliding.
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“We will analyse it and see if we have reason to appeal. Let’s see.”
Unless there is a successful appeal, Ayew will miss next week’s FA Cup quarter-final against Tottenham as well as the Premier League trips to Manchester United and West Brom.
His loss for those three games would be a major blow, but Carvalhal is confident his team would find a way to cope.
“Of course I would rather have Jordan available than not for the next three games,” Carvalhal added.
“He is a player I like a lot but, if Jordan does not play, we will play with another player.
“When we lost (Leroy) Fer, he was our best player at that time. We lost Renato Sanches who would be in the 11 and we then lost Wilfried Bony.
“We are still playing and still fighting even without them. We have shown character to get results and that is what we will keep doing.”
Lampard says both players should have been sent off
However, Chelsea legend Frank Lampard believes both Jordan Ayew and Jonathan Hogg should have been sent off during Swansea City's 0-0 draw with Huddersfield Town at the John Smith's Stadium.
Swansea's leading goalscorer Ayew was given his marching orders by referee Michael Oliver after just 11 minutes of the game in West Yorkshire for a challenge on the Huddersfield man who escaped punishment.
Speaking after the match, Carlos Carvalhal said both players should have been hit with equal punishment, although Huddersfield boss David Wagner felt the officials got the decision correct.
But Lampard sided with the Swansea manager, stating that both players should have been dismissed as their challenges were similar.
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"I agree with Carvalhal," the ex-England star said on Match of the Day.
"I'm not sure if he's saying they shouldn't have been sent off or if they should have both been sent off, but I agree that they are both similar challenges in terms of the severity.
"I think it's a red card for both. I think Ayew goes over the top, studs up on the knee. You look at Hogg, he leaves the ground, he stamps down on Ayew's calf in the end. They're both committing a dangerous tackle so can you give two red cards, you probably can."