EX-PREMIER League referee Mark Halsey believes the Football Association should punish Tyrone Mings for an alleged stamp on Reading FC striker Nelson Oliveira.

Oliveria suffered a gruesome facial injury after colliding with Aston Villa defender Mings in the second half of Saturday’s goalless draw at Madejski Stadium.

The FA are due to study referee Geoff Eltringham’s report from the game at some point today before deciding whether or not to charge Mings with violent conduct.

On-loan Norwich forward Oliveria, who was making his home debut, was treated on the pitch for several minutes before being taken to hospital.

The club confirmed the 27-year-old Portuguese had surgery to fix a broken nose and repair a deep wound yesterday afternoon.


But it is not known whether there is a concussion issue or how long he will be sidelined for.

Eltringham did not even award a foul against Mings, who has apologised on social media.

He tweeted: "Feel awfully sorry for Oliveira, hope he is ok," then added: "No one feels worse than me."


However, while some feel the injury was purely accidental, others – including Halsey – suggest Mings stamped on Oliveria deliberately.

Halsey tweeted: “I cannot imagine any footballer from any level would deliberately stamp on another player’s head, only Tyrone will know will be interesting to see if @FA take any action.”


He then responded to a tweet suggesting Mings could have avoided Oliveira by saying: “I agree my friend. That’s why I believe the @FA should charge him with violent conduct.”


Halsey, 57, was a Premier League referee from 1999 until his retirement in 2013 and took charge of hundreds of games. He also joined the list of FIFA referees in 2001.

Alongside a picture of Oliveria’s facial injuries, he continued: “I cannot feel this incident is worthy of more than a three match suspension.”

He then responded to a tweet arguing the injuries were accidental with: “So don’t you think he could have avoided his opponent Sean.”

Another tweet suggesting it was a “total accident” was also brushed aside by Halsey: “I respect your opinion Tony, but do you not think he could have avoided him.”


He continued: “If the @FA decide Mings has a case to answer they will send football to three ex referees who will then view the incident and decide if Mings should be charged.”

Mings was making his debut for Aston Villa having joined on loan from Bournemouth shortly before transfer deadline day.

The incident involving Oliveria happened shortly after the midway point of the second half before Oliveria was helped off in the 73rd minute and replaced by Yakou Meite.


Royals boss Jose Gomes called it a ‘strange decision’ by the referee during his post-match press conference.

Mings was previously banned for five matches in March 2017 for stamping on the head of ex-Manchester United forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic while playing for the Cherries.