Birmingham City: James McFadden wants referees to be forced to face the music

Apr 26 2010 by Andy Walker, Birmingham Mail

JAMES McFadden wants referees to be forced to publicly explain themselves after making controversial decisions.

Martin Atkinson was public enemy number one in the royal half of Birmingham yesterday, after the match official controversially awarded a match-winning penalty to Villa in the highly-charged Second City derby.

Despite formal requests to be interviewed by the media, Atkinson refused to explain his thinking behind Roger Johnson’s ‘foul’ on Gabby Agbonlahor in the box.

But Blues forward McFadden feels he should have been made to answer the big questions.

‘‘Should referees be forced to explains themselves? Definitely,” said McFadden.

“If we make mistakes we need to face the media so I think referees should. But least of all, I think you should be able to speak to them as a player.

“The referees never say anything, they just tell you to go away.

“I understand it’s a high-pressure situation for the ref and it’s a hard job. You’ve got to make sure you get that decision right if you make it, but he’s got it wrong.

“It shouldn’t have been a penalty. I was six yards away and I could see that Roger got a touch on it. It’s a big decision and I think he’s got it wrong.”

The Scotland international also felt that Blues were worthy of at least a point, if not all three.

“I think we were better than Villa,” he added.

“With all the effort we put in we deserved at least a draw, but I think we deserved the win.”