Former Premier League referee Mark Halsey has fans fuming
Former Premier League referee Mark Halsey has irate fans as he shows his support for Man City against Real Madrid, angering a team’s supporters over his decisions against them TWENTY-FOUR YEARS AGO!
- Mark Halsey went to watch Real Madrid against Manchester City on Tuesday
- Gillingham fans were furious to see Halsey rooting for the England side in Spain
- Halsey captained Gillingham’s 1999 Second Division play-off final against City
Mark Halsey’s trip to Spain to watch Real Madrid play Manchester City on Tuesday has sparked consternation among a fanbase over the former referee’s verdict 24 years ago.
Halsey, who retired as a professional referee at the end of the 2012–13 season, traveled with his daughter Lucy and her boyfriend to the Bernabeu for City’s 1–1 draw in the Champions League semi-final.
But fans of League Two side Gillingham weren’t as thrilled as others to see Halsey enjoying a City game from the stands.
Gillingham faced City in the 1999 Second Division play-off Final at Wembley Stadium with Halsey refereeing.
The Kent side were 2-0 up 89 minutes into the game before City struck twice, the first from Kevin Horlock after 90 minutes and the second from Paul Dickov in the fifth minute of stoppage time, something Gillingham fans still see as unfair. experienced. City would go on to seal promotion via penalties.
Former Premier League referee Mark Halsey (left) went to support Manchester City against Real Madrid on Tuesday night with his daughter Lucy (right) and her Spanish boyfriend
Halsey shared a photo on Twitter of the trio, writing ‘come on City’ as he made his way to the game
Gillingham fans remember Halsey leading the Second Division play-off final against City in 1999
Halsey’s revelation that he supported City that night was a quick reminder to Gillingham fans, who don’t seem to have forgotten Halsey’s decisions 24 years ago.
‘Just kidding, actually. Knew he was a City fan. 99 is still fresh in my mind,” Toby Whitehead tweeted.
“After 24 years it finally makes perfect sense #gills,” another fan added.
A Man City fan jokingly wrote: ‘Hahahahhaha Halsey was the referee against Gillingham in ’99. Cheers for all the extra time, Mark!!!’
Halsey, who was enjoying his family trip to Spain, largely ignored the anger of Gillingham fans, but did respond to a comment calling for an ‘FA investigation’.
‘Get a life!!!!!!!’ Halsey shot back.
Gillingham fans were quick to take issue with Halsey and his journey to watch City as they remain angry at decisions taken from the game 24 years ago – but Halsey reminded people that he is in fact a QPR fan
The tweet soon gained even more momentum and Barry Ashby, one of Gillingham’s starters on defense in that game, waded into the line.
“To be honest I kinda like him, he let me drop a nice handball early in the game, he asked me if I handled it, of course not,” Ashby tweeted, complete with two laughing emojis.
Halsey, who is a self-confessed fan of Championship side QPR, replied: ‘How’s your friend? I remember that handball I gave you the benefit of the doubt.”
In response to another poster asking why he followed City as a QPR fan, he replied: ‘Absolutely, but I have to support English teams in Europe.’
