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Bristol Post
Bristol Post
Sport
Richard Forrester

Controversial refereeing appointment made for Bristol City's Championship clash at Luton Town

The EFL have announced Andy Davies will officiate Bristol City's trip to Luton - on the same day manager Nigel Pearson was fined £5000 for comments made against the referee.

Pearson was handed an FA charge last week for his comments made towards Davies moments after QPR scored a last-gasp winner in the 2-1 defeat at Ashton Gate on December 30.

Following a brief investigation, Pearson was found to have breached FA rule E3.1 stating his comments were improper and/or insulting and/or brought the game into disrepute.

The City manager didn't hold back in his comments towards Davies and fumed: "We came across a strong team and some dodgy refereeing. We should’ve had another penalty. The decisions were awful and I’ve told him that.

"I hope the next time we see him he’s on the park because that’s where he should be.

"How the assistant didn’t see it (the Scott penalty call). Look, we had it all on playing against 11 when we had 10 but the decisions just continued to be awful. It was a terrible performance by them (the officials).

"I’m not someone who moans a lot but let me tell you, that was awful today, and I told him as well."

Davies was due to referee the clash at Kenilworth Road on Boxing Day before it was postponed due to a coronavirus outbreak amongst the Hatter's squad.

It appears the Professional Game Match Officials (PGMO), who handle all refereeing appointments, have stuck with their original plan for the game next Tuesday, although they have changed the fourth official and one of the assistants.

It will be the third time Davies has officiated City this season, with the first coming in the 1-1 draw with Blackpool on the opening day of the season.

Davies has also shown just one red card in his 21 appearances this campaign - Andy King the unfortunate recipient after receiving two yellow cards during the defeat against QPR.

King took to social media to apologise to supporters with the statement: "Last night was a bitter pill to swallow. As an experienced player I should know not to let the passion of being desperate to win and getting frustrated with decision cloud my judgement on the pitch, and I didn't do that.

"The lads were brilliant with 10 men as was the support to the last whistle. I take full responsibility for the result and am deeply sorry."

The PGMO had initially asked Davies to step in for Andy Woolmer who was forced to pull out of the QPR game due to illness.

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