Kevin Kilbane appeared on the St Stephen’s Day Match of the Day alongside Gary Lineker and Danny Murphy.
The former Republic of Ireland international delighted Irish viewers when he referred to December 26 as St Stephen’s Day, not Boxing Day, despite it being a British programme.
Kevin Kilbane called it St Stephens Day on match of the day last night. Without doubt this is one greatest moments in the history of our proud country. 🇮🇪🇮🇪🇮🇪
— Paul O'Malley (@SaintPaulo) December 27, 2017
However, Kilbane’s analysis prompted a negative reaction from West Ham fans after saying that Bournemouth captain Simon Francis’ high boot on Cheikhou Kouyate was deserving of a yellow, not red, card.
Kevin Kilbane thinks that not a red card hahahahaha, don’t matter whether he meant it or not, he kicked him in the fucking face!
— West Ham Photos (@whufcphotos) December 26, 2017
So neither was a sending off according to Kevin Kilbane pic.twitter.com/sLaWucaE3S
— Gary Benson (@gbenson77) December 26, 2017
Kevin kilbane hates West Ham and reported us to the Fa about chants about Harry Kane i bet he was clapping every time we got fucked over.
— Bucky84Glos (@Enzy_Whufc) December 27, 2017
Just watched @BBCMOTD and Danny Murphy and Kevin Kilbane have no idea what there on about… Francis on Kouyate is a clear red for endangering the opponent. If it was any other club they would have been up in arms about the last goal, no saying ‘they should be happy with a point’
— Jack⚒ (@JackBailey27) December 27, 2017
Francis left Kouyate clutching his face in agony on the ground after catching him square in the face with his boot, which appeared to be in a dangerously high position.
However, referee Bobby Madley did not deem it worthy of a sending off, brandishing a yellow much to the frustration of Hammers supporters.
“Personally I don’t think it’s a red card. It looks bad but he is clearly looking at the ball and he’s just trying to bring it down from the air and he catches Kouyate. I think a yellow card is the right decision. I don’t think it’s a red card.
Chances are if you’re from Ireland, you were fairly happy with Kilbane’s contributions to Match of the Day on Tuesday night. If you hail from east London, though, you may have been seething with his assessment of Francis’ challenge on Kouyate.
https://twitter.com/scotthaime/status/945938636809408512
It’s quite worrying how many players and ex players simply don’t know the rules of football. Kevin Kilbane thinking Francis getting a yellow was right because there was no intent. Intent is irrelevant when it comes to dangerous play #MOTD
— Shelley Johnson (@shelleyj89) December 26, 2017
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