Pundit thinks Matty Cash should be retrospectively banned for challenge on Bentancur

After it emerged that Rodrigo Bentancur was facing a further two months on the sidelines, talkSPORT presenter Andy Goldstein has called for Matty Cash to be retrospectively banned.

Cash launched into a nasty tackle on Bentancur in the first half, even though he had no chance of getting the ball, with the Villa right-back receiving a yellow card for the offence.

The Tottenham players were furious at the Poland international for the tackle, particularly since the Uruguayan had just recently returned from an ACL injury.

Bentancur tried to run off the issue but was not able to and was forced off in the 32nd minute. It then emerged on Tuesday that scans showed that the midfielder had torn a ligament in his ankle and is expected to be out of action at least until February (Football.London). 

Should Cash have seen red for Bentancur challenge?

Goldstein remarked that he felt it was a challenge deserving of a red card at the time and called on Cash to be hit with a retrospective ban, but Darren Bent disagreed.

Watch the pair’s discussion on talkSPORT below:

Spurs Web Opinion

It was certainly a cynical challenge from Cash and perhaps the rules have to be changed to outlaw those types of challenges. However, by the current letter of the law, that was not a red card offense.

While I am distraught that we will be without Bentancur for at least two more months, to call for a retrospective ban on Cash is quite idiotic.  You just cannot decide the punishment retrospectively based on the severity of an injury as even harmless challenges can lead to serious injuries.