This is a licence to harm! Referees left seething after Kompany wins tackle appeal



Referees have been left angry and bemused after the Football Association surprisingly overturned the red card shown to Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany on Sunday.



Officials are banned from commenting on controversial decisions but Sportsmail understands that senior refereeing officials and matchday referees believe overruling Mike Dean's decision sets a dangerous precedent and increases the chance of players being seriously injured.



City central defender Kompany was sent off for a two-footed tackle on Jack Wilshere during the 2-0 win over Arsenal. Officials believe referees will be more confused than ever as to how to deal with what had been considered dangerous tackles.



Off you go: Vincent Kompany is given his marching orders by referee Mike Dean in Sunday's clash

COMMENT: GRAHAM POLL Mike Dean will be very disappointed with the decision of the FA disciplinary panel. I have had the same happen to me over a similar incident at Arsenal in August 2000. I went into my next match at Ipswich confused as to what to do with the next tackle I saw. PGMO chiefs will share Dean's disappointment and be angered at the decision not to back the official. There was a real split in the football world and in such instances surely the standing referee should be backed. Referees are told that only when their decision is seen as a clear and obvious error will the panel overturn it. This decision was certainly not clearly wrong and I just hope that in the light of this referees stop clamping down on two-footed tackles and leave players exposed to serious injury. Read why Poll thinks that Mike Dean made the correct call on Sunday

When City decided to appeal, it was widely anticipated it would fail, but a three-man FA commission ruled in their favour and Kompany will be available for games against Fulham and QPR in the Premier League and his team's FA Cup fourth-round tie.



Sportsmail believes referees are perplexed as to why the FA should put them in such an invidious position.



Understandably, City were delighted with the decision. Manager Roberto Mancini is already missing Kolo Toure on Africa Cup of Nations duty and the injured Maicon and Micah Richards.



Despite the widespread view within the game that Kompany's tackle was fair, referees will be under even more severe pressure next time a player leaves the ground - as the Belgian seemed to do - when making a tackle.



West Ham manager Sam Allardyce, a former central defender, voiced his concern that the art of tackling may disappear from the game.

Speaking about the Kompany verdict, Allardyce said: 'Football is a collision sport and, while you want to protect players as best you can, the Vincent Kompany tackle was a perfect tackle.



'Listen to an expert. FIFA and UEFA are not experts in tackling. It was my job to tackle.



Red? Vincent Kompany was sent off for this tackle on Jack Wilshere in the second half against Arsenal

Tweet sentiment: Kompany tweeted after the game and said he holds 'no grudges' against referee Mike Dean

'Tackling was an art and a technique. It's almost dead. We have to say we don't coach tackling any more. That's rather sad. 'We teach stay on your feet. We teach, pinch, nick, intercept.

'Vincent Kompany wasn't out of control, he was in perfect control. The person who was more out of control was Jack Wilshere, that's what made it look so bad. Yes, leaping two feet off the floor like Karate Kid, send them off. But not that.'

TWITTER REACTION Robbie Fowler: 'I agree its the right decision but surprised the kompany red card has been rescinded,Case of listening to the important people who watch'

Ma tt Le Tissier: 'Common sense prevails and kompany red card rescinded well done all who made that decision. #gamesnotgone #amendtherules'

Franny Lee: 'Vincent Kompany's red card rescinded! Surprised but I feel it is the right call. It was brilliant tackle he was fully in control of #MCFC'

Gary Lineker: 'Glad to see the @VincentKompany red card has been rescinded. Remarkable show of common sense. Never a sending off!'

Gutted: The Manchester City captain looked distraught as he is directed off the field by Mike Dean

Mediator: Kompany had to hold back Pablo Zabaleta (right) as the Argentinean sought to have words with Lukas Podolski

Remember this? Kompany was sent off at the Etihad after sliding in on Nani in the FA Cup last season



