Watford to appeal Jose Holebas’ red card against West Ham as defender faces FA Cup final heartbreak

Watford head coach Javi Gracia hit out at the decision to send off Jose Holebas in Sunday’s defeat to West Ham.

The left-back was given his marching orders after he brought down Michail Antonio when he was through on goal in the 48th minute and now faces missing this weekend’s FA Cup final.

Chris Kavanagh gave Jose Holebas a straight red card

Asked if the club would appeal against the red card, Watford boss Javi Gracia replied: “For sure. I kept the same attitude during all of the season and I don’t want to change at the last one.

“I prefer to be respectful to the referees decision and I prefer at this moment to not say what I am thinking about that.

“In my opinion, I can’t believe one player will miss the final for that contact, I can’t believe it.

“Maybe it is a foul, soft foul, light foul but I can be angry with that decision. In this moment it is difficult to accept knowing you have an important game next week.”

Holebas has enjoyed a fine season, scoring three times and registering six assists in 31 appearances.

Jose Holebas has been a consistent performer for Watford this season

Gracia likened the decision of referee Michael Oliver to an incident which saw Watford captain Troy Deeney sent off against Arsenal recently.

The club unsuccessfully appealed against that decision and Gracia called for a level of continuity from officials.

“It wasn’t a foul,” he added on Holebas’ misdemeanour.

“That contact with one player like Antonio, it is a foul there a lot of fouls during the game.

“It was the same with Troy and (Lucas) Torreira – in the next games there were similar situations.

“After two games, it is true, they say it is possible it was a mistake but that is after two days. I don’t want that, I want the referees to take the right decisions.”

Watford endured a testing end to the season after securing just two league wins – both against relegated clubs Fulham and Huddersfield – in their final nine games.

Gracia added: “It’s obvious we would prefer to be as high as possible.

“But we have to know how we can improve our play to compete better in the next game, the final, because the last games we didn’t keep the same level as before.”

Watford will be hoping to ruin Manchester City’s chances of a domestic treble when they meet at Wembley on May 18.

talkSPORT will bring you live commentary of Saturday’s FA Cup final between Manchester City and Watford

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