Steve Cooper has pointed out that pressure from the Bristol City bench influenced referee Tony Harrington to show Jake Bidwell a straight red card in Saturday's 0-0 draw.
Swansea City may welll have felt agrieved after Taylor Moore was only shown a yellow card in the first half for scything down Bersant Celina, while instead Jake Bidwell picked up a late red as he took out Niclas Eliasson in the final minutes.
The Robins were unable to take advantage and both teams had to eventually settle for a point apiece. And after the game both managers had their say on the decision.
Arguably both Moore's and Bidwell's challenges were cynical but only the visiting defender was sent off - as Cooper bemoaned the 'weak' refereeing decision.
"It was as yellow as they come," said Cooper of the Bidwell dismissal in the post-match press conference.
"I've spoken to the referee but the linesman made the decision.
"I felt where it was on the pitch, right in front of the opposition dugout had a big effect on it as well, which I can understand, it's a big moment for referees, they need to be strong and they're human as well.
"It's a poor decision isn't it. We don't agree with it.
"We've looked at it already on the broadcast visuals and on the wide angles. Looking at the position of it and how far out it is from goal and the actual tackle, don't get me wrong, it's a foul, it's as yellow as they come, but to send him off is a bit of a weak decision, a weak mentality," he added.
Bristol City head to Preston North End next weekend.
