Bristol City boss Nigel Pearson has threatened to retire from management after being left angry by referee Leigh Doughty’s performance as his side defeated Luton Town.
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The Robins ran out 2-0 winners at Ashton Gate on Tuesday, but were forced to play the final 23 minutes with 10 men. That was because Doughty showed a straight red card to Mark Sykes for a rash challenge on Luton star Luke Freeman.
While Pearson had complaints about that sending off, it was Doughty’s inaction towards Freeman response to the tackle that left him furious. Freeman had got back to his feet and barged into the back of Sykes after the tackle, bundling him to the floor.
The Luton midfielder was shown only a yellow card, with the incident also coming just moments after the hosts were denied a penalty when Rob Atkinson was brought down in the area. It is the third game in which Pearson’s side have seen refereeing decisions go against them, with the City boss now threatening to quit in frustration.
“In the modern game, I’ve got no complaints about Sykesy but what I do have a complaint about is the fact that their player wasn’t dealt with in the same way. I’ve got to be honest with you, I thought about it last year, and I’ve thought about it already this year and that is basically to pack up being involved in the sport,” Pearson told Sky Sports.
“And that is not because how shallow the modern game is and how some of the aspects of the modern game irritate me but the standard of officiating, unfortunately as far as I’m concerned, is at an all-time low.”
Pearson had also been left fuming on the opening day of the season when City were denied two penalties but saw Hull awarded one of their own as the Tigers claimed a narrow win. The Bristol boss revealed that the PGMOL have only just got in contact to admit all three decisions were wrong.
“After the first game at Hull, only this week, we had a reply from the authorities to say their first goal wasn’t a penalty and we should have had two. Which is fair enough, at least they can be reasonable enough to give some sort of explanation,” Pearson added.
“But I’m afraid when it happens all the time, we’ve had it again today – Rob Atkinson has been fouled and we should’ve had another penalty and we didn’t get it. So as far as I’m concerned the integrity of the sport is being compromised.
“They’re consistently poor. Right, ok, I’ll probably get in trouble again for saying what I think but somebody has to say it – I’m sick to death of people like me who have jobs that are in jeopardy. It’s alright if we play badly every week, I can take losing my job because of that. But what I can’t do is put up. For me, it’s just a worry for the game.”
Pearson’s latest comments are likely to get him in hot water with the FA. He was previously fined last December he branded referee Andy Davies “parks standard” following a defeat to QPR.
