Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson is likely to be charged for comments made about referee Thomas Parsons in the aftermath of their 2-2 draw with Cambridge United, according to former PGMOL chief Keith Hackett.
The Red Dragons travelled to relegation-threatened Cambridge in search of a fourth successive win which would have kept them in charge in the race for automatic promotion from League One. They took the lead in just the fourth minute through George Dobson, although parity was restored five minutes before half time when Liam Bennett equalised for the home side.
The game turned on its head two minutes after the break when U’s attacker Ryan Loft went down under a challenge from Lewis Brunt, with the referee awarding the spot kick. However, replays showed that decision to be a harsh one.
Cambridge converted the spot kick before Sam Smith earned a point for the visitors. Speaking in the immediate aftermath, Parkinson said:
“The referee’s (Thomas Parsons) performance tonight, to say I’m raging is one of the biggest understatements in my 1,000 games. That penalty decision is one of the worst penalty decisions I’ve seen, similar to the Reading one, and to disallow the goal at the end is completely bizarre.”
Hackett Convinced Charge Incoming
Talking to Football Insider, former Premier League referee Keith Hackett said that Parkinson’s comments following the game are likely to land him in hot water with the FA:
“I am sure that Phil Parkinson will be charged by The Football Association. The complication here is that Wrexham FC operate under the banner of the Football Association of Wales, who would be the charging body.
“Let me make it clear that thirty minutes after the final whistle either manager can knock on the referee’s dressing room door and seek clarification on any matter. He is also able to issue a report to the EFL, copying in the League Managers Association.
“In addition to his report to the PGMOL, he can pick the phone up and speak to the National List Referees Manager, former Premier League referee Mike Jones.”
However, Hackett sympathised with the Wrexham boss, admitting the referee got the decision wrong:
“On the penalty kick the referee is in a good position must have seen something that is clearly not visible in the replay. For me the forward has won a penalty kick through an act of simulation.”
Writer’s View
Unfortunately for Parkinson, this is one that he probably won’t get away with. It may have been a questionable decision but he cannot be making comments like he did in this day and age. Funnily though, he didn’t have a lot to say about Jay Rodriguez’s dive against Exeter City at the weekend…
