Southampton boss Russell Martin reveals the truth behind his touchline spat with Brighton rival Fabian Hurzeler after they had to be separated at full time

Southampton boss Russell Martin took a dim view of his counterpart Fabian Hurzeler’s attempts to ‘get so many players booked’ during a feisty Premier League clash on Friday night. 

The two bosses came together after the final whistle of their side’s 1-1 draw at the Amex after goals from Kaoru Mitoma and Flynn Downes ensured the points were shared. 

The visitors were left furious after a controversial VAR call, which took four-and-half-minutes to adjudicate, denied them a winner. Things boiled over at full time as the managers exchanged some choice words. 

They were eventually separated by members of the backroom staff but a firm sense of feeling lingered in the air on the south coast.

Indeed after the match, Hurzeler fumed about the aggression displayed by the Saints team when asked about the yellow card he received, which means he will serve a touchline ban in Brighton’s next game.

Meanwhile, Martin revealed that he took issue with the German’s constant calls for his players to be cautioned, telling the BBC: ‘Their manager decided to say something. I think he said something about how it was about respect in the press. 

The two managers clashed after the final whistle of a fiesty Premier League draw at the Amex

A lengthy VAR review saw Southampton’s second goal chalked-off for offside, though the decision proved to be very contentious

‘I’ve never seen an opposition manager try to get players booked as much as that. respect is mutual and reciprocal.’

The contentious decision that ultimately decided the outcome of the game came down to the interpretation of the offside rule, with referee Robert Jones initially ruled it out for offside before VAR then overturned the call, deeming Archer to be onside. 

Officials then checked over the footage a second time and ruled that the goal should in fact be disallowed due to the fact teammate Adam Armstrong was offside and attempted to intervene.

On the call, Martin added: ‘It is really difficult, but I find it hard to accept. I think it is [clear and obvious]. I am told it effects the goalkeeper. We were told it effects Bart Verbruggen ability and if Adam’s run moved Verbruggen from his position then I would understand the decision, but he hasn’t moved. I cannot see how it has effected the goalkeeper. 

‘This is the point with VAR, I would rather the guy make a mistake on the pitch and we go, “no problem”. I still thinks it’s a penalty [against Liverpool last weekend]. Me and Howard [Webb] will argue for ages about it and we have.

It is still human error in my opinion. The mistake is, it’s not clear and obvious enough to be corrected. The on-field decision carries weight. I am frustrated, but I am really proud of my players.’

The Premier League Match Centre explained on X: ‘The referee’s call of no goal was checked and confirmed by the VAR as Armstrong was in an offside position and deemed to be impacting Verbruggen’s ability to play the ball’. 

Brighton took the lead through a Kaoru Mitoma header on 29 minutes after some poor defending from the away side, but Flynn Downes pegged the Seagulls back on the hour mark.

Hurzeler’s side held onto a draw thanks to Armstrong’s chalked-off goal and the result was enough for them to surge into second and keep Saints at the bottom of the table.