Source: Team_Talk
Bosses blast ref after red cards
Levein came on to the Fir Park pitch to protest against substitute Swanson's late red card for a foul on Keith Lasley moments after Jon Daly had levelled for the visitors in the 2-2 draw against Motherwell on Saturday.[LNB]Well manager Jim Gannon backed Levein's criticism and hit out at the Scottish Football Association for ignoring his views on previous refereeing performances.[LNB]Prince Buaben was sent off midway through the second half for a foul on Jim O'Brien, after earlier being booked for dissent when complaining about Muir's free-kick award after he appeared to take the ball off Jamie Murphy.[LNB]Levein said: "Can I give him marks out of 10? I would say one out of 10.[LNB]"Prince has had two tackles in the match. The first one he won the ball and the second was absolutely nothing. He was booked for dissent but the second one was nothing.[LNB]"Danny Swanson goes to win the ball and the lad was too quick for him and toes it through his legs. The boy was fine, he didn't make contact. I'll try to appeal it."[LNB]Gannon also criticised Swanson's sending-off while both managers agreed that United midfielder Jennison Myrie-Williams could have been sent off after clattering Steven Saunders while on a yellow card.[LNB]"I'm not disappointed with the result," Gannon said. "I'm just disappointed with how the referee's performance took away from what was a fantastic game of football.[LNB]"It (Swanson's) was never a sending-off but Myrie-Williams should have received a second caution for his reckless challenge, but the referee didn't even see that as foul. Then I got warned for my complaints."[LNB]Gannon called for the SFA to allow managers to report on referee's performances after being disappointed by a lack of communication from head of referees development Hugh Dallas.[LNB]"I have respected this vow of silence but I have written to Hugh Dallas on two separate occasions regarding the standard of refereeing and had no reply," said Gannon, who claimed O'Brien was fouled when he received Motherwell's only yellow card, for diving.[LNB]"If we turn a blind eye then the standard of refereeing is bringing the game into disrepute and it certainly did today.[LNB]"There is no reporting structure that allows managers to give their feedback and that's disappointing.[LNB]"They would like to keep it all private because then they can hide behind it and let the same people referee games.[LNB]"The referee did not know a foul from a tackle. He let definite fouls go unpunished and when people make genuine attempts and win the ball, he's booking people. It was a bizarre spectacle."[LNB]The red cards overshadowed an exciting game which burst into life when Andy Webster gave the visitors a 14th-minute lead. John Sutton headed an equaliser 90 seconds later and Lukas Jutkiewicz fired Well ahead before the half hour, only for Daly to net on the break in the 83rd minute.[LNB]"What a fantastic first half, brilliant football, fantastic goals, a great competitive tactical battle," Gannon said.[LNB]"I wish it could have continued in the same vein but the game was in many ways spoiled by the referee."[LNB]Levein added: "We probably defended better with 10 men than 11, everyone's reactions were that little bit keener. Motherwell are a very good side.[LNB]"I thought it was a good game, there was plenty going on and both teams tried to pass the ball."[LNB][LNB]
