'Nonsense' - Russell Martin gives contradictory response to Carlos Corberan's bizarre red card

Southampton manager Russell Martin has labeled the rule that saw Carlos Corberan bizarrely sent off on Friday night as "nonsense" and believes West Bromwich Albion's boss should have been allowed to carry on his duties as normal.

Corberan was shown a straight red card by referee Sam Allison for obstructing play, just six minutes into West Brom's 2-0 defeat to the Saints. The Spaniard thought the ball, approaching him, had gone over the line and so he went to pass it to Darnell Furlong to take a throw-in. He pulled out when he realised it spun back onto the field but it was too late at that stage as contact with the ball had already been made.

Albion's head coach wasn't allowed in the dugout for the rest of the game, with the half-time team talk the only opportunity to speak to his players. With the incident so early on, it appeared to rock West Brom as Southampton dominated for the first half an hour or so of the game.

Albeit well-mannered and considerate post-match with plenty of respect for his opposite number, Martin wasn't so composed when the incident occurred. Albion fans were frustrated by the Saints head coach's reaction as he was seen rushing up to the fourth official to complain about Corberan's action.

"It must be the rule that if you touch the ball you get sent off. If that’s the rule, it’s a crazy one," Martin said in the post-match press conference. "I didn’t know he was going to get sent off. I have nothing but respect for Carlos, I didn’t want to see him sent off. It’s nonsense," Martin continued, passionately.

The Southampton manager's response will probably be appreciated by Corberan but it's unlikely to go down as well with West Brom fans. Martin's words contradict his actions when the moment itself was underway. Although the Saints man wouldn't have had an impact on referee Allison's decision-making, it's the premise of the reaction that has annoyed The Hawthorns faithful.

As it is, nothing can be done about Corberan's red as it was conducted by the letter of the law. The 40-year-old has picked up a one-match suspension in the process, so he won't be on the touchline for West Brom's trip to Plymouth Argyle on Tuesday.