Coaches slam ref Probert

Sporting News Logo

Referee Lee Probert has worn criticism from both managers in the wake of Tuesday's 1-1 draw between Swansea City and Queens Park Rangers.

QPR forward Jamie Mackie cancelled out Danny Graham's first-half opener for Swansea to ensure the sides had to be content with a share of the points, but there were several incidents of contention that needed the attention of Probert.

Graham scored after appearing to control the ball with his hand, while the former Watford striker had a penalty shout turned down in the second half when he clashed with Armand Traore.

Swansea manager Brendan Rodgers said he believed his side had deserved the win: "I felt it was two points dropped," he told reporters after the match.

"We did well to go 1-0 up and we had some fantastic spells in the first half and deserved our lead."

"In the second half we didn't really get going as we would have liked, but it's a game we should have won and we'll learn from it going into the second half of the season that they are the games we'll have to win."

But in the end it's a point against a side that have some very talented players."

Despite being on the positive end of Probert's call in the buildup to Graham's goal, Rodgers said his side should have been awarded a penalty for the incident involving the forward and Traore.

"It was a clear penalty," he said.

"We worked the space well and Danny's got in there and Traore has committed the foul."

"I thought in the first half some of our passing and movement was excellent and it was a great finish from Danny."

Like his Swansea counterpart, QPR manager Neil Warnock was not happy with the share of the points - if for different reasons.

"I'm disappointed that we haven't got three points," he told Sky Sports.

"We got the stuffing knocked out of us. The referee saw it was handball (against Graham) but said it was not intentional."

"It was a crucial decision, a big decision like that. You've got to know the game."

Author(s)