Régis Le Bris on Brian Brobbey treatment after Man Utd stalemate | OneFootball

Régis Le Bris says Sunderland have raised concerns over how Brian Brobbey is handled by referees after the 0-0 draw with Manchester United, while accepting officials face a difficult task.

In the second half Stuart Attwell awarded United a foul as Brobbey and Luke Shaw grappled in the box. On Sky Sports’ Ref Watch, former referee Dermot Gallagher said he believed Brobbey made the first foul and Attwell was correct. Former striker Jay Bothroyd argued the forward was unfortunate and should have been given the benefit of the doubt.

Le Bris was reluctant to criticise Attwell, saying Brobbey’s physical, unusual profile makes him hard to officiate and that he may need protection at times. He also stressed that refereeing him is not straightforward.

He pointed to the strength and intensity of Premier League defenders, namechecking Harry Maguire and Lisandro Martinez as experienced opponents. Even so, he felt the overall officiating was fair.

Home supporters have grown increasingly frustrated by decisions appearing to go against Brobbey, and Le Bris reiterated that the striker’s style can make these calls particularly complex.

Source: Sunderland Echo