Stoke chairman Peter Coates has backed the comments of Tony Pulis which have landed the Potters manager in trouble with the Football Association.
Pulis has been charged with improper conduct by the FA following his criticism of referee Lee Probert after last month's 2-1 Carling Cup defeat to Liverpool at the Britannia Stadium. The Welshman questioned Probert's decision to disallow a Jon Walters effort and felt there had been a foul on Peter Crouch which should have seen Stoke awarded a penalty.
"I am surprised and disappointed because Tony made legitimate points about poor decisions," said Coates, quoted in The Sentinel.
"I think managers are entitled to question poor decisions. I'm not saying referees can't make mistakes - we all do.
"But why shouldn't referees be criticised? Why should they be wrapped in cotton wool?"
Pulis has denied the FA charge and requested a personal hearing.
Pulis, who was also unhappy that a Jamie Carragher tackle on Matthew Etherington did not result in a red card, told the BBC after the game: "You have to have a level playing field - you can't have it both ways, and he (Probert) has done that in my opinion.
"He has not made the correct decisions."
Pulis went on to refer to past Potters matches where he thought Probert had made poor decisions.
Source: PA
