Birmingham City boss Wayne Rooney claimed that referee Dean Whitestone ignored his fourth official in the build-up to Sunderland’s first goal at the Stadium of Light this afternoon.
Rooney’s tenure in the West Midlands has gotten off to a terrible start, with the Blues having picked up one point from a possible 15 ever since the board made a contentious decision to relieve former head coach John Eustace of his duties.
The ex-Derby County manager took charge at St. Andrew’s with the side sitting inside the playoff places in sixth but a turgid run of results has seen Birmingham drop to 18th in the Championship, just four places above the relegation zone.
Koji Miyoshi levelled the game for the visitors in the 30th minute after an early goal from Sunderland’s Jobe Bellingham. However, an own goal by Dion Sanderson and a late strike by Adil Aouchiche put the match to bed as Tony Mowbray’s side climbed back inside the top six.
Nevertheless, after the game, Rooney praised both teams for their efforts but singled out referee Dean Whitestone for criticism [quotes via Birmingham Live]:
“I thought it was a good game actually. Both teams were aggressive. Going one-nil down with the officials not seeing the Sunderland player head it out… What’s frustrating is the fourth official is stood next to me and he is telling me it’s a goal kick and he’s telling the referee down the earpiece that it’s a goal kick.
