Gillingham manager Steve Evans told the Kent Messenger he wasn’t prepared to talk about referee Kevin Johnson after his side were defeated at the weekend.
Evans, often outspoken in his criticism of match officials, saw a number of decisions go against his side as they were beaten by Scott Wagstaff’s 19th-minute goal. Ben Pringle was sent off late on and an angry Evans made his feelings know, as he usually does, at the final whistle.
He’d calmed down by the time he faced the media though, reticent to spend more of his hard-earned cash on fines.
“I am not going to talk about the referee publicly. I will talk to him privately,” said the former Leeds United boss.
“I have got to remain private about my thoughts of Kevin Johnson’s performances because if I say them publicly I will be in trouble. I know what I think but I can’t say it and I don’t want to get into trouble.
“I have given that lot (the FA) too much of my money and I would rather spend it on a trip to my homeland.”
Pringle was sent off in stoppage time for dissent, using foul and abusive language when arguing he should have had a corner. Evans, who didn’t want to criticise the referee, then went on to criticise the referee.
“He said, ‘it’s a ******* corner’ three times,” explained the Gills boss. “If Kevin has sent him off for repeatedly saying it, then that is a decision for him, but I would suggest if he has sent him off for that he will be sending players off every game. Kevin is an honest guy but he’s had a shocker.”
The win lifts Wimbledon three points clear of the bottom three, five adrift of Evans’ Gills.
Our View
How much is a trip to Evans’ homeland these days? A train to Scotland might still be in his reach even after paying out for claiming Williams has ‘had a shocker’.
It’s actually quite restrained for the former Mansfield boss, he’s not known for keeping his thoughts to himself. I think much of his anger was at his side not turning their dominance into a win, but Wimbledon are resolute and know what is needed to grind out results.
The referee didn’t miss Gillingham’s chances, nor did he score Wimbledon’s goal.
