Let's all laugh at Colin

ManxRed · February 15, 2010

Hoping he gets the book thrown at him for this:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/fa_cup/8515503.stm

Neil Warnock wants FA Cup assistant referee banned

Crystal Palace boss Neil Warnock says assistant referee Trevor Massey should be suspended "for a long time" after their FA Cup draw with Aston Villa.

Television replays showed the official wrongly awarded a corner that led to Villa's late equaliser in the 2-2 draw.

"Their second goal is a disgrace," said Warnock. "We gave everything and in the end we were let down by incompetence.

"I've been told that if Mr Massey got it wrong, he'll be suspended. I hope he is and I hope it's for a long time."

Warnock's cash-strapped Championship side, who are in administration, led 2-1 with three minutes remaining, thanks to a stunning free-kick by Darren Ambrose.

But referee Kevin Friend - on the say-so of Massey - incorrectly awarded the Premier League outfit a corner after the ball had hit Nathan Delfouneso, although the incident occurred at high speed with the referee outside the penalty area.

From the resulting corner, Stiliyan Petrov headed home a dramatic equaliser to take the tie to a replay at Villa Park on Wednesday 24 February and Warnock could not hide his disgust.

"A referee and a linesman should see from that position it is a goalkick and not a corner," added the Palace manager. "It's disappointing and it's hard not to feel bitter about it.

"I spoke to Massey afterwards and he said he saw it come off Alan Lee's head, so he's obviously a miracle man because it's clearly come off Delfouneso's head.

"He didn't apologise, he only said he'll take a look at it when he gets home. That'll really help me and Crystal Palace won't it?

"The referee had a great game. He was let down by somebody who had a very poor game and I don't feel any sympathy if he is suspended. I said to him: 'When you're sat on your settee when you're suspended will you think about us?'

"I don't want to say any more because they're probably listening at the disciplinary committee and I don't want it to cost me any more money."

After reflecting on his comments, Warnock told BBC Radio 5 live on Monday he hoped Massey would be banned for two or three games.

"I hate officials smiling when they've done something wrong - it really bugs me," he said.

Palace took the lead when Johnny Ertl rose highest to nod past Brad Friedel.

But James Collins soon equalised with a glancing header from Stewart Downing's free-kick.

Ambrose's long-range free-kick looked to have secured a famous victory for a side who have been advertised for sale in the Financial Times and were docked 10 points in the Championship after going into administration.

"I thought Villa were outstanding and they had to be to play against us. We were committed and that is a travesty for my lot," stated Warnock.

"But we have shown we have a lot of talent and we are a genuine club, it was a great Cup tie. It was a great game where we struggled early on but came back well."

Despite Warnock's anger, a draw may well prove to be the best result for Palace in terms of their finances, with the replay also expected to be televised.

"We wanted to take them back there [Villa Park] if we are honest," conceded Warnock. "Let's get up there and then get on with the league."

Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill admitted that Palace provided a genuine test for his side.

"I thought Palace played with a lot of determination and spirit and I hoped we could respond to that," said O'Neill. "For the most part we did but we lost our way for a bit in the second half.

"But it is the FA Cup, a splendid competition, and we'd love to stay in it. If we've got a bit of luck from the corner kick then I'll take that if that's the case."

O'Neill now has a dilemma to contend with as the replay falls only four days before his side are set to play Manchester United in the Carling Cup final at Wembley.

"It would have been great to have a spare week to prepare for the Carling Cup final. It's not going to happen. It's not ideal," added O'Neill.

"But Petrov did not risk life and limb to head the ball into the net for us to give it up easily.

"We have to negotiate Burnley first of all next week. We'll see how we come out of that game."

The winner of the replay will face an away tie against either Reading or West Brom in the quarter-finals.

Bailo · February 15, 2010

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