Skipper Gary Breen has spoken out about how he feels referee Graham Salisbury failed to take adequate control of Saturday’s match against West Ham, which saw the controversial sending-off of Steve Caldwell just before half time.
Breeny told the Evening Chronicle, “I had spoken to the ref twice because I felt that every time he blew for a free-kick against them, West Ham were trying to slow the game down.
“There had been an earlier incident when Matthew Etherington kept hold of the ball instead of letting us get on with it – we had been told in the past that would be a bookable offence.
“He could have nipped things in the bud by dealing with that kind of thing early but we were all still frustrated and that led to whatever has happened between Steve and Luke Chadwick.”
Breen was himself sent off in controversial circumstances when the Lads played Sheffield United earlier this season, but an appeal against the dismissal was unsuccessful – and the skipper says he suspects the outcome for Caldwell will be the same.
“(Steve) says he tried to get the ball off Chadwick. I do not know if Steve stood on him or not but I would be surprised if he did because I do not think that would normally be in his character.
“We are appealing but from my own bad experience earlier in the season I will not be holding my breath.”
When the club appealed Breen’s dismissal they were on tenuous ground as there was no video evidence they could have used in defence – but that’s not the case with this incident. Footage shown on ITV’s “The Championship” clearly shows Caldwell moving the ball with his foot, with no ‘painful reaction’ from Chadwick as could have been expected had he genuinely been stamped on – which Mick McCarthy was quick to seize upon. “I have asked Stevie if he stamped on him, and he says absolutely not – you can see he has put his foot in and stood on the ball because you can see the ball move on the TV replays.”
The Hammers’ player at the centre of the row has also spoken about referee Salisbury’s decision, hinting that the man in black may have acted too harshly.
Luke Chadwick said, “The lad pushed me and I have fallen over, I had the ball in my hands and he put his foot in there. I’m not sure if the referee got it right really – but you have to respect his decision.”
