Birmingham City Football Club News

• Nickname:Blues
• Founded:1875
• Manager:Chris Hughton

• Ground:St Andrew's
• Capacity:30,016

Bruce berates ref Bennett

12 Nov 2007 - 09:26:11

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Birmingham City boss Steve Bruce blasted referee Steve Bennett after his side were beaten 2-1 by Aston Villa in their derby showdown at St Andrew's.

Bruce felt that his side had been denied two penalties during their defeat, one for handball against Zat Knight and one for a trip on Daniel de Ridder.

A furious Bruce commented: "I was adamant at the time the first one was handball by Zat Knight. We've all seen it except Mr Bennett.

"For the second one he has got to be convinced de Ridder is diving. De Ridder has said at half-time that he was caught by (Martin) Laursen. I've seen it again and he has been caught. It is a blatant penalty.

"As usual with Mr Bennett, especially with us anyway, we never seem to get those decisions and he has made two howlers.

"Big decisions in a derby like that are crucial. If we get two penalties, we are in the driving seat.

"If Mr Bennett has genuinely got them wrong, so be it, but refs are professionals and you expect them to get big decisions right like that.

"He got them wrong and it has cost us. I hope he comes out and says that. A draw would have been a fair result. It was a cracking derby and we have been harshly treated."