• Premier League

Halsey subjected to Twitter abuse

ESPN staff
September 24, 2012
Mark Halsey sent off Liverpool's Jonjo Shelvey against Manchester United © PA Photos
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Referee Mark Halsey has received abuse on Twitter after sending off Jonjo Shelvey and giving Manchester United a controversial penalty in their victory over Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday.

Halsey, who was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2009 but returned to refereeing in March 2010 after successful treatment, showed Shelvey a red card for a challenge on Jonny Evans and awarded the late spot-kick from which Robin van Persie secured a 2-1 win.

One tweet read: "I hope Mark Halsey gets cancer again and dies", while another read: "Mark Halsey should've died of cancer."

Both tweets generated a furious response on the social media site. The first was deleted, while the account of the user responsible for the second was removed completely.

Halsey's wife, Michelle, was also sent abusive messages. Reports suggest that the referees' governing body, Professional Game Match Officials Ltd, will offer Halsey the opportunity to consult a psychologist should he wish to, and he could miss the Capital One Cup game between Southampton and Sheffield Wednesday on Tuesday night.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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