Saturday 31 March 2018 09:38, UK
Ian Holloway gave scathing criticism of the "pathetic" state of refereeing after Queens Park Rangers earned a controversial late penalty in their 1-0 defeat at Reading on Saturday.
Referee David Coote awarded QPR a spot-kick in the 93rd minute of the Sky Bet Championship encounter when Dave Edwards fouled Pawel Wsolek, despite Reading forward Mo Barrow being down injured at the other end of the pitch.
The crowd at the Madejski booed QPR, who missed the penalty, but Holloway defended his side for playing on while an opposition player was out of action.
"I think refs should have the power, if someone is injured, to determine whether it's fake or whether he isn't," he said after the match.
"If you're going to officiate the game, you've got to dominate that. The referee and the fourth official have got to take control of it. Otherwise, what are they there for?
"I can't scream 'kick it out, kick it out' at my lads like I was trying to.
"The game should never be abused in any shape or form, I think that's the referee's responsibility - to look after the players.
"That can't be my responsibility, my captain's responsibility, the player who has got the ball... he might not see it.
"How pathetic is our game when we are told our referees can't make a decision on someone's health and welfare?"
