Ipswich Town boss Paul Lambert furiously criticised referee Alan Young following a 0-0 draw with Wycombe Wanderers.
Lambert: That Wasn’t Acceptable
Paul Lambert Slams ‘Mickey Mouse Football’ Referee
League One’s top two met in a hotly-anticipated fixture at Portman Road that lived up to its expectations.
However, the game was marred by a series of controversial decisions by referee Young.
The Blues were denied an early penalty when the ball clearly struck Joe Jacobson’s hand, before Luke Chambers’ headed finish was ruled out following a conversation between Young and assistant referee Aaron Farmer.
Young awarded the visitors an 87th-minute penalty, although replays seemed to show the foul being committed outside the penalty area.
Tomas Holy produced an excellent save to deny Jacobson from twelve yards.
Speaking afterwards, a furious Lambert said: “(Luke) Garbutt has put the ball in, Luke (Chambers) has got across the front post, got a header, it hits the Wycombe guy and goes in.
“How is (Kayden) Jackson offside?
“And how can you turn around and say the comms weren’t working? What’s your flag for then?
“They’re saying it’s offside. How can he be offside? Even if he’s in an offside position, their guy heads it in the net.
“And why does the ball travel 50 yards to the halfway line before he flags it up? We’re ready to kick off again. Incredible.
“It’s an own goal. And the tug for their penalty is outside the box. And there was a handball in our box when (Jon) Nolan had a shot.
“Listen, everybody can have a bad game, I get that, but dear oh dear. This is a big football club to referee. If you want to referee this big football then you’ve got to have a bit of pedigree behind you.”
The former Norwich City and Aston Villa boss went on to admit he will be complaining to the football authorities as a result of Young’s performance.
“I’ll probably phone Mike Jones tomorrow, the head of refereeing. I don’t normally do things like that, but that wasn’t acceptable.
“I think it’s difficult to be a referee. It’s a difficult gig they’ve got. All you’re asking is for them to understand the game and make big calls at the right moments when there’s a massive crowd.”
Ipswich Town head to Coventry City on Sunday 1 November in the Emirates FA Cup Second Round.
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