Stoke City Football Club News

• Nickname:Potters
• Founded:1863
• Manager:Tony Pulis

• Ground:Britannia Stadium
• Capacity:28,218

Inequality riles Potters chief

31 Dec 2008 - 09:31:38

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Stoke City chairman Peter Coates claims 'bigger' clubs are receiving preferential treatment from Premier League referees.

Coates believes the performance of Chris Foy during their Boxing Day 1-0 defeat to Manchester United at the Britannia Stadium backs up his argument.

The Potters chief claims United pair Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney were not punished for indiscretions, while home defender Andy Wilkinson was dismissed for two bookable offences.

"I'm not excusing Wilkinson but he was aggravated by Ronaldo just before and I think everyone saw that but the referee did nothing," Coates told the club's official website.

"Then Rooney puts in a strong elbow right in front of the linesman and again nothing.

"Big clubs get favoured treatment from referees but it's happened for a number of years.

"We complain through the official channels and we'll continue to complain."

Meanwhile, Coates has rejected reports that Ricardo Fuller could be sold following his on-field altercation with captain Andy Griffin which led to his red card in Sunday's 2-1 loss at West Ham United.

"It hasn't entered our heads to sell him," he added. "We're absolutely sure we want to keep him.

"Ric's a good player and you don't sell your good players.

"He's a big player and important player, he helped to get us here and he'll stay at the club."