Pulis hits out at Arsenal behaviour

10 April 2010 10:05
Stoke boss Tony Pulis believes Karl Henry's sending-off against Arsenal last weekend was an example of a top club swaying a referee's decision.[LNB] Pulis has called for stern action to be taken to prevent the goading of officials, but he fears nothing will be done if glamour names are involved.[LNB]The latest incident to have riled Pulis is the sending of Wolves midfielder Henry last weekend.[LNB]Henry was harshly dismissed for a challenge on Tomas Rosicky, who went down easily while team-mates rushed in to remonstrate with the referee.[LNB]Henry's red card means he is now suspended for Sunday's Premier clash against Stoke at Molineux.[LNB]Pulis said: "Karl Henry's sending off I thought was very harsh.[LNB]"I think the reaction of the Arsenal players was very poor.[LNB]"It is something that is coming into the game and it is something that has to be addressed.[LNB]"What annoys me is that Rosicky then gets up straight away and plays on. It annoys me that he is then playing in Barcelona.[LNB]"If the FA want to do something, and do something positive, it is stopping people from surrounding referees.[LNB]"I think they did bring it out 18 months ago but they seem to put it back in the cupboard.[LNB]"It seems to be the big clubs that surround referees and put pressure on them, and they are never going to act against them are they?[LNB]"The problem is there are rules for some clubs and rules for others. I really believe that.[LNB]"We had a situation where we played Chelsea. We sent the FA a video where there were six or seven Chelsea players surrounding the referee on more than three occasions.[LNB]"We thought if you did that, it was an automatic fine. We have not heard anything since."[LNB]Pulis also pointed the finger in Arsenal's direction when touching on the subject of Wolves' fine for fielding a weakened team earlier in the season.[LNB]Mick McCarthy incurred the wrath of the Premier League for making 10 changes at Manchester United in preparation for a more winnable game against Burnley.[LNB]Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger complained at the time that was unfair to United's title rivals.[LNB]Pulis said: "A certain person coming out and criticising Mick for that action actually triggered off an FA response, which for me was totally unjustified.[LNB]"I have never known a manager who has put a team out that has not wanted to win, especially Mick McCarthy. He is a very competitive person.[LNB]"For me, I think it was nothing short of disgraceful what they did."[LNB]Stoke will give a fitness test to striker Ricardo Fuller ahead of Sunday's clash.[LNB]The Jamaica international has scored in the last two games but was forced off at Hull last week with an ankle injury.

Source: Team_Talk