Chris Wilder: Sheffield United manager criticises perceived bias from officials
- Published
Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder says referees consider his side as already relegated
Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder says he has to speak up on behalf of the club about perceived bias against the Blades from match officials.
After Tuesday's 3-2 loss at Crystal Palace, the 56-year-old described referee Tony Harrington's performance as "ridiculous"., external
Wilder is going to speak to Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) about the situation.
"It's the in-game decisions, the soft fouls go against us," he said.
"I'm not looking back over the last 10 games, it's over a longer period, before I was here as well.
"Maybe the thought process and the outlook is that they [Sheff Utd] won't be long in this division and 'I might be refereeing the other team next year, so don't want to upset too many people'."
After the Palace defeat, Wilder complained that a bad challenge on goalkeeper Ivo Grbic - that resulted in him having to be substituted with suspected concussion - went unpunished.
Chris Wilder criticises assistant referee eating sandwich during conversation
He also criticised one of the officials for a "lack of respect", saying: "I'm not just going to go under the radar and not say anything. I've been to see the referee and I've told him that.
"One of his assistants was eating a sandwich at the time, which I thought was a complete lack of respect. Hopefully he enjoyed his sandwich while he was talking to a Premier League manager."
Wilder said his frustration over refereeing decisions is a view shared within the club, adding: "I wouldn't be saying it if I didn't think it was right.
"The majority of Sheffield United supporters will feel the same as well. I'm not just speaking on behalf of myself.
"I'm speaking on behalf of the players and more importantly I'm speaking on behalf of the football club.
"Come on, we need to make sure this is right and sorted and it's refereed in the right way."
Sheffield United are bottom of the Premier League and nine points from safety after winning just two of their 22 matches this season.
The Blades had some key decisions go their way in the recent home draw with West Ham.
But Wilder felt that was the exception rather than the norm and added: "What about the other things that have gone the other way?
"There's more things that have not gone our way and the general refereeing as well.
"I was told about this coming into the division, that 'get ready, all the slight decisions, all the easy decisions, will go against you'.
"It has had that feel and that's the disappointing thing from my point of view."
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