'Robbed us' - Dave Jones questions contentious moment in Sunderland defeat vs Sheffield United

Sunderland non-executive director Dave Jones has openly questioned the decision that led to Chris Mepham’s sending off against Sheffield United on Friday evening.

The centre-back was shown a straight red card during the 1-0 defeat at Bramall Lane following a last ditch tackle on Blades striker Tyrese Campbell, and was adjudged to have denied a clear goal-scoring opportunity. But Jones has expressed his doubt as to whether the Black Cats loanee should actually have been given his marching orders.

Speaking on the Not The Top 20 podcast, he said: “Yes, it was a foul, and maybe it was worthy of a yellow card. It certainly wasn't a red card. My view is that if Campbell had been through on goal then Mepham would have got the ball anyway, because that's where he made the challenge. But clearly that touch is behind him, and therefore he has denied himself a goal-scoring opportunity with that. And also the defender is on the cover as well. So taking Mepham out of the equation, if he's brought that ball back behind him the defender is going to be there to prevent a goal-scoring opportunity anyway.

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“As I do, I speak to Premier League referees all the time in my role. I've spoken to three different Premier League referees, and none of them think it was a red card. But by the same token they and I understand why it was given. It all happened very quickly. I do have absolute sympathies with the official in that circumstance.

“If that happens in a Premier League game I would expect VAR to get involved and intervene, and that red card to go away. By the same token I'm not sure that it would be worthy of an appeal, because there is just that little bit of cloud of uncertainty over whether it was a huge error or not on the referee's part.

“So I think it was very harsh. I think it robbed us of our best defender in the game - someone who has a calming influence on everybody around him. He's been a sensational signing Chris Mepham, he really has. And his level of performance has just been extraordinary every single week. We look forward to having him back in the team when he does come back.”