Premier League admit major mistake after Cristian Romero's season-ending injury

Cristian Romero suffered a season-ending injury against Sunderland earlier this month after colliding with Antonin Kinsky following a nudge from Brian Brobbey, with the KMI now having a say

Brian Brobbey should have been sent off for nudging Cristian Romero in the back during Sunderland AFC's 1-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur, according to an official panel.

The Dutch striker was chasing a ball that Romero was attempting to shield to allow Antonin Kinsky to make a routine collection, but things turned sour when the Spurs skipper was pushed by Brobbey. What then ensued was a collision between Romero and Kinsky, leading to both men needing treatment on the pitch.

Kinsky's head was bandaged due to a cut from the knee of his team-mate, while Romero was ultimately unable to continue as a result of injury. That issue has now cut Romero's season short, as the defender looks to be out of action for up to eight weeks due to a partial cruciate ligament tear.

While Brobbey saw no action taken against him by referee Rob Jones, despite sitting on a yellow card for an earlier incident - in which, he looked to have elbowed Pedro Porro - a Premier League panel have now argued that he should have been shown red for his shove on Romero.

The KMI panel voted 3:2 in favour that the decision made by Jones was an error, with a majority seeing the incident as "a two-handed push which is an unnecessarily reckless action."

It's not the first error that the KMI have pointed out to have been made by the official this season either. Statistics from the panel indicate that Jones has been responsible for five of 12 errors this season pertaining to second yellow cards not being shown.

As of next season, VAR will be given further powers to review red cards resulting from two yellows, but they will not be able to highlight missed second yellows.

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It comes as Brobbey was on the receiving end of racism in the aftermath of the match, with users flooding his official Instagram page with vile remarks, GIFs and emojis.

Sunderland were quick to release a statement vowing to take the strongest possible action against those involved, explaining: "We stand firmly with Brian and offer him our full and unwavering support.

"This is not an isolated incident. Recent abuse directed at Romaine Mundle and Lutsharel Geertruida highlights the ongoing and unacceptable frequency of this behaviour, both inside stadiums and online.

"Racism is abhorrent and has no place in our game or in society, and we will continue to call it out clearly and unapologetically every time it occurs. Football must be a safe and inclusive environment for all - without exception."

The Premier League added in their own statement: "We are disgusted by the ongoing discrimination players are facing on social media and are committed to working with clubs, authorities, law enforcement and social media companies to address this issue, as well as supporting investigations to bring those responsible to justice.

"Any individuals identified and found guilty of discrimination will face the strongest possible consequences, including custodial sentences, football banning orders and criminal records."