Russell Martin calls out FA after extended Jack Stephens ban | OneFootball

Southampton boss Russell Martin has called on the FA to disperse equal treatment following their decision to extend Jack Stephens’s ban.

The Saints defender was already set to miss action after a red card against Manchester United and was later banned for another two games after using foul language towards match officials.

Stephens reportedly called the fourth official a “f***ing little c***” and later used the same insult toward referee Stuart Atwell, who showed him the red card.

“They (FA disciplinary panel) have drawn a line in the sand,” said Martin during his Thursday press conference. “As long as everyone else is treated the same way, we have to accept it.

“Jack asked for a personal hearing to apologise because he’s a very good human being and it will be frustrating not to have him for another two games – but it could have been worse.”

The 38-year-old then addressed rumours regarding his future at the club, with Saints sitting second last in the table. For Martin, there is no use worrying about any outside noise.

“I don’t own a tin hat, but you have to accept everything as a manager – I don’t pay much attention to all the noise now, and I didn’t when we went 25 games unbeaten last year.

“Everyone will have an opinion, but the only people’s opinions that matter are my bosses and the owners of the club – the people I work with every day. As long as I am aware of them, and we are working together, everything else is really irrelevant to my position.”

Southampton have a big clash ahead on the weekend making the trip to face Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal.