Alious
Keith Hackett has criticised referee Lewis Smith for what he described as a key error in judgement during West Ham United’s FA Cup victory over Burton Albion — insisting the official must learn from the moment he briefly showed a yellow card before dismissing Freddie Potts.
Confusion Before the Dismissal
The dramatic incident unfolded in the 101st minute at the Pirelli Stadium when Potts lunged into a late challenge on Burton forward Julian Larsson.
Although the tackle was ultimately deemed serious enough for a straight red card, Smith initially reached for his yellow — a gesture that momentarily confused players from both sides before he reassessed the situation and upgraded the punishment.
Hackett, the former PGMOL chief and FIFA referee, maintained that the final decision was correct but felt the process undermined the authority of the call.
> He stressed that in high-pressure moments, referees must take a breath, mentally replay the challenge, and only then deliver the verdict — rather than appearing to reverse themselves mid-decision.
According to Hackett, even though the yellow card was not formally shown, the mere act of pulling it out weakened the “selling” of the red card decision.
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Why the Red Card Was Justified
Despite criticising the referee’s handling of the moment, Hackett was clear that Potts’ dismissal was warranted.
The challenge was described as reckless and one that endangered the safety of Larsson — criteria that fall under Serious Foul Play. Given the force involved, the 22-year-old received the first senior red card of his career.
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West Ham Hold On to Progress
Extra-time tension defined the tie, with Crysencio Summerville netting a crucial 95th-minute winner to hand West Ham a 1-0 victory.
After Potts’ sending-off, the Hammers were forced to dig deep under late pressure from their League One hosts, but they held firm to book their place in the FA Cup fifth round.
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What Suspension Awaits Potts?
The length of Potts’ suspension will depend on how the tackle is officially categorised. A standard red card for serious foul play typically results in a three-match ban — which appears the most likely outcome given the severity of the challenge.
If that is confirmed, he could miss:
A Premier League clash against Bournemouth next Saturday
An away trip to Liverpool on 28 February
A visit to Fulham on 4 March
With West Ham battling to climb out of the relegation zone, losing midfield depth at this stage could prove costly.
While the Hammers celebrated cup progression, the spotlight remains firmly on the officiating — and whether Smith takes Hackett’s advice moving forward.
Alious
