REPORT: Southampton Coach Russell Martin, criticized the decision to give Carlos Corberan a red card, describing it as “nonsense.”

Sam Allison sent off the Spaniard for making contact with the ball while it was in play. The dismissal occurred shortly before Ryan Fraser scored the first goal at the Hawthorns, contributing to Southampton’s eventual 2-0 victory.

“It must be the rule that if you touch the ball when it is on the pitch then you get sent off. If that is a rule then it’s a crazy one,” Martin told the Daily Echo.

“I was just angry because the ball hadn’t gone out and he touched it. I thought we had a chance of getting it.

“I didn’t know he was going to get sent off – that wasn’t the intention at all. I have learned a new rule, and so has Carlos, unfortunately for him.

“I have nothing but respect for Carlos. It is nonsense, he was not stopping the play intentionally. He thought the ball had gone out. It’s a tough one for him.”

Asked by the Daily Echo what it is like for players to continue a game after their manager has been sent off, Fraser explained: “It’s probably not nice.

“Every manager is different. Some sit on the bench and don’t say a word, if that is the case then maybe you wouldn’t notice it as a player.

“If it was our manager who got sent off then you would definitely notice it because he is always on the touchline giving out instructions.

“The ball didn’t go out and he has come on and touched it. It is a harsh red card, but if that is a law, then I am not going to batter the referee. That is how it is.”