Mike Jones now knows what can happen to innocent bystanders who stand too close to the action.
Jones, a Premier League referee, was slightly injured on Saturday when Newcastle’s Moussa Sissoko accidentally slapped him in the face in the closing minutes of a heated league game against Southampton.
In the 88th minute, Jones was intervening in an argument between Sissoko and two Southampton players when goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga pushed Sissoko, causing the Newcastle midfielder to momentarily lose his balance and send his hand straight into Jones’ face. Jones fell to the ground in apparent pain but was able to continue officiating the game after some treatment for a bloody nose.
Jones declined to caution Sissoko because it was an accident. Newcastle manager Alan Pardew made light of the incident after the game, according to the Mail.
“The ref has got a bloody nose, he is trying to patch himself up for the Christmas party,” Pardew said. “But he took it in good heart, really, I have to say. He realized it was a little bit of a flick out at the goalie, who had flicked out at him [Sissoko].
“It was all a bit silly, but unfortunately he ended up with a bloody nose.”
This just proves what we already know: the extra person in any confrontation often suffers the worst consequences.
See Sissoko slap Jones below.
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