West Ham to appeal against controversial Fabian Balbuena red card

His manager was disgusted by the sending off decision

(Getty Images)

West Ham are to appeal the controversial red card shown to defender Fabian Balbuena against Chelsea on Saturday, the PA news agency understands.

Balbuena was sent off by referee Chris Kavanagh after he caught Blues full-back Ben Chilwell with his studs as he cleared the ball upfield.

Kavanagh did not initially blow for a foul but the incident was brought to his attention by VAR.

The official reviewed the footage on the pitchside monitor and then decided to show a straight red card to the Paraguayan centre-back.

Hammers manager David Moyes called the decision “rank, rotten” after his side’s 1-0 defeat by their top-four rivals.

West Ham lost the game 1-0, with Balbuena missing the final 10 minutes after being dismissed. The result left the Hammers fifth in the table, three points behind the Blues in the race for a Champions League spot.

They face Burnley on Monday 3 May.

Balbuena has played 14 times in the league for West Ham this season, having won back a place in the team of late.

Additional reporting by PA