By Paul Jones
Russel Martin is far more worried about upsetting his mother than any clip around the ear from the Football Association.
The Swansea City head coach – whose team face Middlesbrough at home on Saturday – has been getting it in the neck from all sides recently.
But Martin won’t be losing any sleep over the red card he received in Swansea’’s 1-0 defeat at Luton Town, despite being charged by the FA.
Of greater concern to him was the reaction of his mother after she saw him being escorted out of the dug out and across the pitch at Kenilworth Road by a steward.
“If that area had been managed a bit better at the time it wouldn’t have happened. It was frustrating and I didn’t feel a red card for both of us was necessary, especially as we then had to be escorted across the pitch,” said Martin.
“That made it look a lot worse that it is. Even my mum texted me to ask if I was alright when she saw me being escorted off.
“The fans were great about it with their support for me. It’s funny, when this happens to a foreign manager it is all about their passion, but when it concerns a British manager they get criticised for it.
https://twitter.com/WalesOnline/status/1633850881329471488?s=20
Overblown Consequences: Red Card for a Minor Offense
It really wasn’t very much and it really didn’t need to be a red cards. The report shows that. It really wasn’t very serious.
“”As long as it isn’t going to end up in me missing a game or receiving a touchline ban, I won’t be appealing against the charge.
There wasn’t any animosity afterwards and we spent 45 minutes in Rob Edwards office afterwards with him, Paul Trollope and Richie Kyle. I played with both Rob at Norwich and everything was fine. It really didn’t need to happen.”
Martin and Luton Town assistant boss Richie Kyle were this week charged with improper behaviour. The FA alleges that both clubs “failed to ensure their benches conducted themselves in an orderly fashion”.
Of greater concern to Martin is the fact his Welsh international midfield star Joe Allen has been ruled out of the next two games, starting with today’s vital home clash with Middlesbrough.
