Leicester City’s Demarai Gray escapes FA punishment over diving claims
By James Lassey
The winger will face no FA charge over claims of simulation after he won a late penalty in the Carabao Cup quarter-final against Manchester City.
Kyle Walker had been adjudged by referee Robert Madley to have fouled Gray in the area during the 96th minute which led to Jamie Vardy converting the resulting spot kick.
Vardy’s strike took Leicester to extra time but the Foxes were to lose in the penalty shootout after misses by the striker and Riyad Mahrez.
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Post match accusations flooded across social media and various media platforms claiming that the 21-year-old had dived.
However, as reported in the Leicester Mercury the FA advisory panel which is made up of an ex-official, ex-player and an ex-manager decided not to take action against the former Birmingham man.
It must be noted the decision was not unanimous and regulations state that all of the panel must come to an agreement that the player in question attempted to deceive the referee.
A lot of talk about Demarai Gray receiving a two match ban following the referee's decision to award Leicester a penalty.
— Foxes of Leicester (@FoxesofLCFC) December 20, 2017
Kyle Walker was adjudged to have fouled Gray. 🤔
What's the general consensus? Definite foul? Dive all day long? #lcfc #leimci
To face a charge there has to be a “successful deception of an official”, Punishment would have seen Gray serve a two match suspension such as the one West Ham forward Manuel Lanzini is currently adhering to for his dive in West Ham’s 3-0 over against Stoke.
Due to their being no sanction placed on Gray, he will be available for selection for when Leicester host Manchester United in the Premier League on Saturday.
Author’s take
While there appeared to be minimal contact by Walker on Gray, the Leicester man did not exactly go looking for the penalty.
Yes, it can be argued that the contact imposed by the Manchester City fullback may not have been sufficient enough to bring Gray down, there was contact never the less.
Therefore my final verdict had I been in charge and god forbid that ever to happen for anyone watching, I would not have given the penalty but I would not have brandished Gray’s fall as a dive either.
Make of it, what you will but just goes to show even with the most adept technology, not every decision is as clear cut as the rules would like it to be.
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