Stoke chairman Peter Coates believes Tony Pulis raised a number of 'legitimate points' when landing himself in trouble with the FA.
Potters chairman defends manager against FA charge
Stoke chairman Peter Coates believes Tony Pulis raised a number of 'legitimate points' when landing himself in trouble with the Football Association.
The Potters boss has been charged with improper conduct after criticising referee Lee Probert's performance in the 2-1 Carling Cup defeat to Liverpool on 26th October.
Pulis questioned the decision to disallow a Jon Walters effort in the first half of the game and felt there had been a clear foul on Peter Crouch which should have seen Stoke awarded a penalty.
He was also disappointed to see Jamie Carragher get away with a tackle on Matthew Etherington that he felt was worthy of a red card.
Pulis' comments have not been well received by English football's governing body, but Coates claims his manager did nothing wrong.
"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 told
The Sentinel.
"He has not made the correct decisions."
Mistakes
Pulis, who also questioned Probert's past record in games involving Stoke, has denied the FA charge and has requested a personal hearing.
Coates, who will back the Welshman all the way, added: "I am surprised and disappointed because Tony made legitimate points about poor decisions.
"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?"
