McFarland's spot of bother
27 Feb 2007 - 11:31:15
Chesterfield boss Roy McFarland was left fuming after seeing his side lose 2-1 at home to Nottingham Forest, with a controversial penalty helping the visitors seal the win.
McFarland was highly critical of referee Mike Thorpe for the award of a spot-kick just past the hour mark, after Spireites keeper Barry Roche was adjudged to have brought down Junior Agogo.
"Without doubt it was highway robbery and the referee has been conned," McFarland blasted.
"He's gone for the big-club syndrome and favoured them right from the kick-off.
"Agogo should have been booked for a dive. If you look at the video you see that he takes a step, realises he can't catch the ball and dives.
"The referee has been conned and I think he wanted to be conned. I thought his decision-making was very poor."