An allegation is not a conviction. That should be the starting point every time this Dockers’ Derby subplot gets wheeled out again over the next few days.
Millwall complained that Taty Castellanos spat at goalkeeper Filip Marschall during Saturday’s 2-2 at The Den. The BBC reported Marschall appearing to show referee Paul Tierney a mark on his shirt. Both managers said they hadn’t seen it. Spitting, if proven, typically means a six-match ban. None of that is in dispute as process. What is disputed is the central claim itself.
On Monday lunchtime, former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher gave Sky Sports’ Ref Watch his verdict.
“I think Paul Tierney, seriously, has dealt with this 100 per cent properly,” Gallagher stated, “because we’ve looked and looked and looked this morning and we can’t find that that has happened.”
That is not the FA clearing Taty. And it is not Millwall withdrawing the complaint. It is a senior ex-ref saying the pictures don’t show what was alleged.
Referee Tierney’s job in the moment wasn’t easy to his credit. Gallagher’s take is that he reported it properly and left the FA to decide. That is exactly how it should work when you can’t be sure.
For our Hammers, the practical point is simpler. We are already heading into a three-week international break short of Mohamadou Kante for the QPR return. The last thing we need is half the timeline spent convicting Taty on social media before anyone in a suit has spoken.
If the FA find clear evidence, punish him. No arguments. Spitting is disgusting and has no place in our game. If they don’t — then drop it and move on.
