Source: Daily_Mail
Charles Sale: Stoke supremo Peter Coates cries foul in rant over refs
The widespread belief among the Barclays Premier League rank and file that referees tend to favour the big four was the subject of an extraordinary spat at the last FA Council meeting.
Stoke chairman Peter Coates interrupted a debate about the Respect Campaign to air his frustration at the way lesser Premier League clubs often get poorly treated by referees when they play the top teams whose players are more likely to surround the match officials in protest at decisions.
Coates, who has demanded that his Stoke manager Tony Pulis does not criticise referees, chose to make his comments in the privacy of the council chamber rather than go public after referee Martin Dean had allowed Chelsea to score a winning goal against Stoke in the sixth minute of added time.
Coates, owner of internet bookmaker Bet365, added tongue in cheek that he felt the referee wouldn’t blow the final whistle until Chelsea had scored.
However, the FA’s referees chief, David Elleray, said he took great exception to the integrity of one of the best officials being questioned and demanded the Stoke owner withdraw his comments.
Coates, who felt Elleray had over-reacted, declined to do so.
