Warnock rage at 'goal'

Palace boss furious after referee rules out Sears effort

Last updated: 15th August 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Warnock rage at 'goal'

Warnock: anger as 'goal' ruled out

We can put a man on the moon, time serves of 100 miles per hour at Wimbledon, yet we cannot place a couple of sensors in a net to show when a goal has been scored.

Neil Warnock
Quotes of the week

Related links

Teams

Also see

Neil Warnock was beside himself with rage over the goal that never was during Crystal Palace's 1-0 defeat at Bristol City.

Palace striker Freddie Sears raced away to celebrate an apparently perfectly good strike on 34 minutes.

But his shot ricocheted back out of the net off the base of the goal and, after consulting a linesman, referee Rob Shoebridge awarded a goal kick.

Warnock had to be restrained from remonstrating with the fourth official but at half-time he somehow found the composure to direct his players away from the referee and into the dressing room.

Warnock said: "We can put a man on the moon, time serves of 100 miles per hour at Wimbledon, yet we cannot place a couple of sensors in a net to show when a goal has been scored.

"I feel sorry for the referee because he didn't get any help. But how can I mark him when he spoils an otherwise good display with a mistake of that importance?

"I thought Gary Johnson and his players could have shown more sportsmanship because they knew it was a goal, like everyone else. But I'm 60 years old and maybe I expect too much.

Cheated

"I have a transfer embargo on me and a group of young players working their socks off for the club. They didn't deserve that today.

"We were cheated. And I'm not saying that against the referee because he didn't mean to get it wrong."

Warnock's mood was not improved when Nicky Maynard struck City's 89th-minute winner with a cool right-footed finish from just outside the box after defender Jose Fonte had given the ball away.

Home manager Johnson was left to count his blessings. "In Neil's position I would feel the same as he does," he said.

"Sometimes as the away manager a big decision goes against you, the crowd get on your back and it's very hard to keep things under control.

"It was a goal of course, but I don't see what I could have done about it at the time. I had my own team to think about because we weren't playing well in the first half.

"Neil didn't want to shake my hand and that's up to him. I can't say I was surprised after what had happened, but it's one of those things."

Comments (79)

Mark Atkinson (Chelsea fan) says...

While I sympathise with the Palace fans for the outrageous refereeing, it was clearly a goal from my seat 3000 miles away, why has everyone forgotten the cheating in last year's Champions League semi. The Palace game had outrageous officiating, Platini and UEFA cheated! F.A. Where are you?

Posted 18:23 18th August 2009

John Christopher (Manchester United fan) says...

I just have to commend Neil Warnock for again finding an excuse for his team failing to win. I have always been a firm believer that a football match is 90 mins long so therefore you can't blame one incident that occurred in the 33 min to have decided the game. Him and his team had 89 mins + stoppage to get a draw or a win!!!. This is just like the time his inept management style and poor Sheffield United team went down because they didn't get enough points, but instead they just blamed something else. No wonder he and Simon Jordan aren't respected in football.

Posted 13:50 18th August 2009

Pat Wall says...

Otib Forum (Bristol City fan) just hit the nail on the head about Warnock. Hes spent his whole career complaining , moaning and generally annoying people. Its him agianst the world and he always thinks hes right. If anyone thinks any different then read the post by Otib Forum (Bristol City fan). I`ve no sympathy at all for him. Believe in karma Mr Warnock????

Posted 11:32 18th August 2009

Otib Forum (Bristol City fan) says...

Most people would have been charitable enough to agree it was a goal, but the frankly rather classless and offensive way Palace through Neil Warnock and Simon Jordan and the oxygen of the London-centric media have taken to questioning our players and clubs integrity and insisting without precedent that the game should be replayed or an own-goal scored, has removed any empathy and demands an immediate response about their own integrity, honesty and manipulation of events. 1. This summer Palace had 1 point deducted in the history books from their total for last season for having chosen to play an ineligible player whose loan was already over, on the crucial and much scrutinised final day of the season, in a meaningful and failed promotion deciding match for their opponents. INTEGRITY? 2. Crystal Palace currently have a transfer embargo due to Simon Jordan and the club allegedly failing to honour contracts which they had signed and withholding pay and bonuses they had promised to players, not to mention other clubs. HONESTY? 3. In April 2001 Neil Warnock allegedly had his assistant manager spy on an opponents half-time team talk, perhaps as direct a case of cheating as you will get in the modern game and with little or no precedent in football let alone the wider sporting world (an equivalent in the NFL by the New England Patriots resulted in millions of dollars of punishment). GAMESMANSHIP? 4. Neil Warnock is the only manager in the history of the English game to have had a match abandoned due to the indiscipline of his players (ending a match prematurely with just six of his side still on the field). At the time he was even accused of asking players to feign injury to achieve abandonment of the game. SPORTSMANSHIP? 5. In January and April 2006 respectively, Neil Warnock was seen to contribute to trying to get Derby's Michael Johnson and Leeds' Gary Kelly sent off. Only Johnson was actually dismissed but

Posted 20:16 16th August 2009

J Harman (Crystal Palace fan) says...

This is just shocking! Something has to be done. Maybe not have the match replayed but at least count it as a draw. And i dont blame warnock for not shaking hands. He has just been cheated out of the game which we dominated. How hard is it for Johnson to show a bit of sportsmanship. I really hope something is actually done for once.

Posted 19:20 16th August 2009

Gary Barton (Crystal Palace fan) says...

I am afraid to say the 4 officials at Ashton Gate yesterday lacked balls and most of all concentration. The goal scored by Palace was so clear to see by all that at some point we have to make the officials accountable for their decisions. Why like most managers when their team has not performed are they not man enough to step out in front of the camera and admit their error. Yesterday was shocking, you cannot tell me that not one of those so called highly qualified officials could not stand up a say "yes a goal was scored". I dont think any of them should be allowed to ref, line or forth official another game at this level as none of them can be seen to be capable. How on earth can we expect them to be treated with respect by players, managers and fans alike when they make decisions like they did yesterday. A total shambles Mr Hacket, its time to get refs on board who have played the game and also understand the game like a majority of the fans who PAY to see these fools ruin matches

Posted 19:11 16th August 2009

Gary Peckham (Crystal Palace fan) says...

I think as a Palace supporter I have to respond to the comments made by Bristol City followers. I do feel my club has been treated very badly. Firstly for City's conduct clearly fitting the definition "cheat - someone who leads you to believe something that is not true" as Keith Hackett's apology has rubbished the club's defence against this charge. Secondly by having the cheek to feel that you have been wronged - what a joke! As said before in these posts if you need to win at all costs just be honest and stop hiding behind fake excuses. You've got away with it so you should just shut up and take enjoyment in the fine that Palace will certainly receive from the spineless football league. I have pride in my club's conduct but I don't think any Bristol City supporter can say that!

Posted 18:54 16th August 2009

Obi One (Crystal Palace fan) says...

I think the ref & linesman should be made to resit their refereeing qualifications. They were poor the whole game. As for game being replayed, it will set a precidence for future games to be replayed because of Officials errors. Not a good place to be in. Technology would help. How is it every other sport can work with it but football cant? It's proven it takes no longer than 15 seconds to make a decision. Surely incidents like this warrant it being in our game today. As for the explanations from the City Management & Players about not seeing it, just look at their reactions, the keeper having a go at his defenders, the hands on the hips from the City back four, the smirk on Gary Johnsons face. I'm sorry but it shouts of dishonesty & unprofessionalism. They all new it was a goal & said nothing. It appears that the players & staff at Bristol City have stooped as low as the moran of a fan who attacked Warnock last time we were at their so called "Family" club. Laughable!!

Posted 18:22 16th August 2009

Sarah Bennett (Bristol City fan) says...

I was at the game and it should have been allowed. it wasn't, neither was our 'offside' goal etc etc etc. Mr Warnock always has something controversial to moan about and his behaviour gave us all a good chuckle!! He has a big character and that showed yesterday although he should have shaken our players hands! I look forward to the away game which I should imagine will have yet more interesting shananigans!! Come on you reds!!

Posted 17:38 16th August 2009

Ian Mundy (Bristol City fan) says...

After all the comments, i think that, the officals of crystal palace football club, should be charged with bringing the game into disrepute, disgraceful that they should saying the things about the good name of BRISTOL CITY FOOTBALL CLUB, it just makes them look like a laughing stock. I hope the football authorities come down hard on them...

Posted 17:34 16th August 2009

Gary Peckham (Crystal Palace fan) says...

I think most people are missing the point. The real issue is that everyone except 3 very poor officials knew Palace scored a valid goal. The actions by Bristol City following the game are nothing short of disgraceful as they are now stating they knew it was a goal but were told it was disallowed for a foul. This cannot be appear a truthful position as Keith Hackett has apologised to Palace stating the goal should have been given with no mention of any foul - so why are City stating otherwise. Either the referee has lied to Mr Hackett or City are making up stories to try and validate their behaviour. This is a totally different from an incorrect offside decision as not all the crowd could be certain it was the wrong decision at the time, where they could be regarding the goal as it's a clear matter of fact. The conduct of Reading (from last year) and now City should be a concern for the authorities and lets hope sporting times come back. But of course when money is involved that is very unlikely. Shame on you Bristol City.

Posted 16:56 16th August 2009

Bret Copper (Liverpool fan) says...

simple as this really. Birstol City players who saw that ball go in the net are cheats, City fans are moaning about a goal that was not offside, who cares, that sort of decision happens every match, every week for every team. When you score a goal it is a goal, and any biased city fans that wibble on about a walk in goal shouldn't be allowed into the stadium. It's a sad day that comments supporting City show the lack professionalism in UK sport. The ref should be banned and his colleagues should be suspended,.

Posted 16:36 16th August 2009

Dan Sid (Crystal Palace fan) says...

If Bristol City have to cheat to win games then so be it. How hard is it to get someone to look at the tv and say yes was a goal? Also I think two years ago we cheated twice at your home game. Every year Palace always get cheated. Bristol City players and manager should have played fair and said it was a goal. There shouldn't be a re-match, but they should just count the game as a draw. Gary Johnson said "He knew it was a goal, but what difference would it have done" it would have done a lot and there was no harm in trying. It's unsporting behaviour, but what you expect from Bristol City. Also why not have 4 linesmen instead of 2? Don't always need technology. Also I don't see the point in Hackett apologising as Palace have lost out on some points.

Posted 16:27 16th August 2009

Robert Gough (Bristol City fan) says...

Simon Jordan should hang his head in shame not only for his fake tan & fake hair but for a chairman to come out & call someone let alone a complete team cheats is beyound sportsmanship.........Warnock spur of the moment reaction although maybe slightly understandable but again to talk about sportsmanship & refuse to shake hands after the match double standards................the rule of thumb to replay the game after a decision goes against you is a bit like taking your ball home............& would cause chaos because you could have valid cause for every bad call to have the game replayed.............Jordan & Warnock should look at their reactions & do the right thing themselves in the name of sportsmanship

Posted 15:56 16th August 2009

Mike Stonehouse (Manchester United fan) says...

Poor old Crystal Palace! they were robbed as for the comment about replaying the united game against spurs. MATE that was 2 years ago get over it

Posted 15:23 16th August 2009

Alastair Colthurst (Bristol City fan) says...

OK, i was at this game and would like to bring a new view....when the incident happened NO ONE in the Dolman or Williams (side stands) had the faintest clue whether that ball went in so how could the linesman of seen it? I agree the Referee should of seen it and should of made the decision. Now, i was watching warnock and obviously at the time he was livid but after another 45 minutes of football he had resigned to the fact that it had been disallowed - especially after another blatant CITY goal had been disallowed. It was not until his inbred defender passed it straight to nicky, who scored, did he get up and become raged. Simple fact he is a bad loser. He says in the interview while talking about Watford-Reading "at least they drew which tells you that if the final score had been 0-0 he would not of been nearly as angry...he is angry at city for winning not *cheating* I salute that heroic city fan who came up with WARNOCK WHATS THE SCORE. I feel really bad for you palace fans...after all it couldn't of happened to a better team or a nicer manager....

Posted 15:04 16th August 2009

Alan Dunt (Crystal Palace fan) says...

Listen...let's get some perpective on this, the people ar fault in this are the match officials and to a certain extent the football authorities for not allowing goal line technology. As a Palace fan I have to say that it was disappointing that the City players didn't take more of an honest stance when it was clear from their bogy language that thay knew it was a goal. In reality if the boot was on the other foot would Palace players have been make honest...probably not. Jordan needs to keep his council and either put his hands in pockets and give the club some money or foxtrot oscar. Neil needs to calm down and NEVER NEVER walk off a pitch without shaking hands.

Posted 14:50 16th August 2009

Neil Lukins (Bristol City fan) says...

There's no doubting it's a goal and the officials made a horrendous error and that they were robbed of a perfectly good goal. But how does that make Gary Johnson and the City team cheats?? Let's say hypothetically that the goal did stand, but Freddie Sears was in an offside position (which of course he wasn't, but this is a hypothetical situation), would ANYONE in the world call him a cheat then? Of course not, and in principal this is no different. The other thing that has wound me up in the fall out to this is Warnock's interviews. Don't get me wrong, he should be beside himself with rage, that isn't a problem. But when asked "If the boot was on the other foot, would you let them dribble the ball into the net?" like he's protested City should have, he completely ignored the question either saying "That's not the point" or rambling on about the Reading-Watford farce last season. I think it's a perfecty valid point, Neil, if you make such a big fuss about the fact that City should have done it. I thoroughly dislike Warnock, and while I sympathise that the decision did not go his way, quite frankly wouldn't wish it to happen upon any other manager in the world more. Oh, and the same goes for Jordan, too.

Posted 14:41 16th August 2009

Nigel Hillier (Bristol City fan) says...

With reference to the comments made by Neil Warnock and Simon Jordan concerning the goal that never was. Before Warnock and Jordon berate referees and the rules of the game and brand opponenets cheats as well as lacking in sportsmanship, they should concentrate on running their club (ie Crystal Palace) on a sound financial footing to ensure players wages and bonuses are paid, thus avoid a transfer embargo being enforced on them. I wonder how the Crystal Palace players feel having worked hard last season only to be told sorry chaps cannot pay your bonuses that you are entitled to. I bet those players feel cheated by Mr Warnock and Mr Jordan. In addition in the game yesterday, Bristol City also scored a perfectly good goal, which was disallowed for offside even though nobody was offside. Would Mr Warnock like to commennt on this incident..?? Things happen in football, but the constant whinging and Whining from Mr Warnock has become very boring over the years, and he should focus on improving the affairs of his own club before outwardly criticising other clubs, referees and football governing bodies.

Posted 14:38 16th August 2009

Paul Hartley (Bristol City fan) says...

Paul Hartley (Bristol City) had a perfectly good goal disallowed for offside yesterday. Do you hear Warnock or Jordan bleating on about why they didn't let City 'dribble the ball over their goal line'........... No of course not. Remember Warnock was the manager of a Sheffield Utd side not long ago that had a number of players sent off (3 if I can remember rightly) and then got other players to feign injury to get the match called off! I've no doubt that Warnock would have gone along with the ref's decision if the boot was on the other foot.

Posted 13:52 16th August 2009

Add Comment*

Send us your views

Are you a Sky Sports subscriber?

*All fields required, your email address will be kept private