Karl Robinson 'angry' at referee as Oxford lose to Portsmouth
Sunday 25 March 2018 20:45, UK
New Oxford manager Karl Robinson said he was "angry" at the referee for "costing" his side in the game in a 3-0 defeat to Portsmouth on Sunday.
Oxford midfielder Alex Mowatt missed a second-half penalty and was then immediately sent off for slapping Pompey defender Nathan Thompson in the face.
And U's boss Robinson revealed that referee Charles Breakspear told his players that he had booked Thompson, who had already been yellow carded in the first half, but then failed to send him off.
"I'm angry that the referee has cost us the game," said Robinson, who took charge of Oxford on Thursday. "He (Nathan Thompson) has ran 20 yards and goaded him which is a booking in itself and he was booked in the first half.
"The referee then told my players that he had booked Thompson after he had already been booked before.
"I'll be speaking to the PGMOL [Professional Game Match Officials Limited] tonight as they are on speed dial and then I will be speaking to Mike Riley who is definitely on speed dial.
"Maybe my players need to have that cheating mentality at times because they are honest and fair.
"Up until the sending off we looked like a class act and deserved something from the game, I can't ask anymore from my players."
Robinson also said Thompson's taunting of Mowatt was an "absolute disgrace".
"The referee has made one of the biggest mistakes I have seen in a long time," he said. "Thompson was booked in the first half. What he did was an absolute disgrace.
"My player should not react the way he did. He will be reprimanded and spoken to internally, but what he did and then not to get booked and go down the way he did…I don't think professional footballers should do that. If one of my players did that I would be more disappointed with that reaction than what Alex did."
Pompey assistant manager Joe Gallen, who was taking charge as manager Kenny Jackett was absent due to a family health issue, admitted he didn't see the incident involving Mowatt and Thompson but was thrilled with his side's performance
Live EFL
He said: "I don't know what happened as I was following the ball. I'll have to have a look at it as I haven't seen it but I understand what the other team are saying.
"But let's be honest there are plenty of things that get said out on the football pitch. I thought we started really well and then we took an early lead.
"Oxford came back at us strongly which we expected as they have some very good players.
"There is no doubt that this was a huge result for us at a vital time in the season and I'm delighted."
