Newcastle United FC

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Kinnear says sorry to Atkinson

13 Nov 2008 - 13:59:18

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Newcastle United's interim boss Joe Kinnear has apologised for his verbal outburst at referee Martin Atkinson's performance in the 2-1 defeat at Fulham.

Kinnear was upset at Atkinson's decision to allow play to continue in the lead-up to the Cottagers winning a decisive penalty, with the Irishman feeling that Andrew Johnson had fouled Claudio Cacapa.

Kinnear had fumed after loss: "We've got the Mickey Mouse referee doing nothing. He's made an error that cost us."

However, having been asked by the FA to explain his comments, Kinnear has now chosen to apologise for his outburst.

He told the Evening Chronicle: "I'm sorry if my post-match comments at Fulham caused any offence and I'll ring Martin Atkinson in person to tell him.

"When I spoke to the media on Sunday, I was deeply frustrated about losing a game I felt we were in a strong position to win.

"I said at the time I had no complaints about the foul by Fabricio Coloccini on Andy Johnson which brought Fulham their match-winning penalty.

"But I have watched the build-up to that goal and I felt we should have been awarded a free-kick seconds earlier for a foul by Johnson on Cacapa.

"However, having said this, I have accepted that some of my comments were in appropriate and I will be calling Martin Atkinson to say that."