DAVID MOYES sparked comparisons with Star Wars’ Emperor Palpatine after his hooded interview following West Ham’s draw with Fulham.
The Hammers drew 0-0 at a drizzly Craven Cottage on Saturday, with Tomas Soucek controversially sent off by referee Mike Dean in injury time as Moyes’ side missed the chance to go fourth in the Premier League.
As Moyes fumed over Soucek’s red card in his post-match interview, fans delighted at his similarities with Star Wars villain Darth Sidious, with Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker even joining in on the fun.
Speaking on Match of the Day, Lineker said: “Well the Emperor in Star Wars is not very happy with that decision.”
Commentator Arlo White tweeted: “David Moyes was so p***ed off with Soucek’s red card, he sent Emperor Palpatine out to do post match…”
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One fan asked on Twitter: “Has anyone ever seen David Moyes and Emperor Palpatine in the same room?”
Another commented: “David Moyes channelling Emperor Palpatine here.
“If I was Mike Dean, I’d be worried…”
Despite Moyes doing his best impression of the Emperor, there was no Force in the incident which saw Soucek shown his marching orders.
As the Czech midfielder jostled with the Mitrovic at a free-kick, he lifted his arm to avoid the Fulham striker’s grip, only for the Serb to fall to the ground holding his face.
Moyes’ hooded post-match appearance sparked comparisons with Star Wars villain Emperor Palpatine
Star Wars villain Emperor Palpatine, seen here in Return of the JediCredit: Kobal Collection – Shutterstock
Referee Dean consulted with VAR Lee Mason before reviewing the decision on the pitchside monitor and brandishing a red card for violent conduct – which could see Soucek miss up to three West Ham matches pending appeal.
Dean’s bizarre decision to send Soucek off caused Moyes to show his Dark Side in his post-match interview.
Moyes said: “It was an accidental coming together which to show a red card for was embarrassing.
“I’m more embarrassed that it would happen and VAR would go and ask him to look at it because it was just a simple accident.
“We should have just said ‘get on with the game’ and nothing more.
“Lee Mason in Stockley Park and Mike Dean — they’re both very experienced referees and I’d be amazed if that was the way they wanted to referee the games.
“If it’s accidental, do we now look at every accidental incident and say that could be considered for a red card?”
It is not the first time Dean and Mason have received criticism this week, having sent off Southampton defender Jan Bednarek at Manchester United on Tuesday, only for their clumsy handiwork to be overturned.
Fulham vs West Ham as it happened
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
