By Alan G
April 4 2006

The League Managers Association is Backing Paul Jewell after the FA decided they would be investigating his post-match comments concerning the refereeing performance away at Blackburn Rovers.

Referee Phil Dowd chalked off a Latics goal for offside and then allowed a Rovers goal after a blatant foul by Lucas Neill on John Filan, allowed Shefki Kuqi to stroke the ball into an empty net for the equaliser.

 

The FA are to decide whether Jewell's comments compromise the integrity of Dowd.

 

Jewell fully anticipates being charged by the FA, yet the LMA feel Jewell was within his right to criticise Dowd.

 

An LMA statement said: "All our members fully understand and appreciate the difficulties faced by match officials.

 

"The LMA fully supports the right of its members to express honestly-held opinions about refereeing decisions.

 

"Paul was asked questions about decisions which affected the course of the game, and he gave his honest views.

 

"The LMA wishes to make it clear that it is in regular dialogue with the PGMO (Professional Game Match Officials, the body who regulate referees) and other footballing bodies.

 

"All of us share a common desire to continue to improve refereeing standards and encourage greater communication between all parties for the good of the game."

 

Jewell’s comments:

 

"I don't usually talk about referees, but he [Phil Dowd] has cost us the game tonight. I've just seen on the monitor that our first goal was disallowed, and it wasn't even close [for offside].

 

"And for the one at the end [Blackburn equaliser], I don't think it was a foul, I think it was more like grievous bodily harm! In fairness, John fumbled the ball a little bit, but he has been barged by Lucas Neill, it's not even close.

 

"I am going to get myself into trouble for telling the truth, but I think he is incompetent. One Premier League manager told me before the game that he is the worst manager in this league, and he isn't wrong. It was a nonsensical performance by the referee for me.

 

"I think the referee should come and face the press conference afterwards and explain his decisions."

 

Blackburn: Friedel, Neill, Khizanishvili, Nelsen, Gray, Bentley (Tugay 59), Savage, Reid, Pedersen, Bellamy, Dickov (Kuqi 59).
Subs Not Used: Enckelman, Mokoena, Sinama Pongolle.

Goal: Kuqi 84.

Latics: Filan, Chimbonda, Scharner (Jackson 45), De Zeeuw, Baines, Teale, Bullard, Kavanagh, McCulloch, Roberts, Johansson.
Subs Not Used: Pollitt, Connolly, Ziegler, Thompson.

Booked: Scharner, Roberts.

Goal: Roberts 53.

Attendance: 20,410

“Referee”: P Dowd (Staffordshire).