On 8th November this year in a Championship match between Barnsley and Sheffield United, Barnsley’s Iain Hume was caught on the head by the elbow of Sheffield United’s Chris Morgan. As a result of the blow, Hume suffered a fractured skull and spent time in a high dependency unit in hospital following surgery on his injury and for internal bleeding.
The FA has now confirmed that no further action will be taken against Chris Morgan for his challenge on Hume.
After being released from hospital last week, Hume was readmitted yesterday as a precaution.
A Barnsley spokesman said, “Iain began feeling unwell at home and we hope it’s a case of better safe than sorry.”
Morgan was booked for the foul but the FA has said it cannot upgrade yellow cards to red.
“When judging whether to take disciplinary action in this case, The FA has had to consider the challenge itself and not the outcome of it. The FA has been given express direction from Fifa that we cannot upgrade yellow cards to red. On this basis, we can only bring additional charges in the most exceptional cases and only if it can be proved beyond doubt that the actions of a player were a deliberate attempt to injure an opponent. Having reviewed all available evidence in this case, including submissions made by Barnsley, there is no basis on which an additional charge could be brought.”
There is no doubt in my mind that Morgan deliberately elbowed Hume. Equally, there is no doubt in my mind that Morgan would never have intended to cause such a serious injury.
I think Morgan can consider himself lucky that the FA have taken this decision.
The thoughts of all at SoccerNews are with Iain Hume and his family at this difficult time.
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