QPR DEFENDER SHAUN Derry has lost his appeal against his sending off at Manchester United, with his one-game suspension for denying a goalscoring opportunity standing.
Many felt that Ashley Young – who also appeared to be offside – dived to win the penalty that that put United 1-0 up on Sunday.
After the match, QPR manager Mark Hughes said that managers were “losing faith in referees” as a result of some fairly high profile mistakes.
Meanwhile, referees’ chief Mike Riley has apologised to Wigan manager Roberto Martinez for the blunders that marred his side’s 2-1 defeat to Chelsea on Saturday.
Blues defender Branislav Ivanovic was clearly offside for the opening goal of the game, with Martinez later describing the performance of assistant Dave Bryan as ‘disgusting,’ while the validity of Juan Mata’s winner was also in question.
Martinez revealed that he had taken a call from Riley, who admitted that mistakes were made.
The former Swansea boss said: “He just said he understands that at the level of refereeing in this league, they should get that call right.
“I think that is a very honourable way to face mistakes.
“We are all capable of making mistakes and it is about how you react to them.”
Bryan has since been stood down from Tuesday night’s game between Blackburn and Liverpool, while Martinez does not expect that he will face any action from the Football Association for his post-game assessment.
“I think they praised me because they were quite surprised I held myself back and I was so respectful,” added the Spaniard.
Finally, it was also revealed on Tuesday evening that Ivanovic has been charged with violent conduct for an incident involving Shaun Maloney.
The officials did not spot anything at the time but video footage has since come back to haunt the Chelsea defender.
