I said this would happen, much better he let Dean Saunders say something and take the rap. He is right in what he said, but a Club Chairman should keep his counsel and his lips closed.

Any manager or chairman for telling truth about poor referees & still charged. In my opinion FA people are joke.

I think that everyone including club officials is bound by the FA's Code of Conduct which they sign up to and this forbids "public criticism of the match officials".

Justified and measured criticism supported by evidence is part of what is acceptable in normal life, but those who make the FA Rules (and clubs are represented in this process) seem to think that, unlike the operation of the law in most civilised countries, their officials' conduct, however incorrect, should never be challenged.

Goal line technology, the third, fifth and sixth officials who serve no apparent purpose at matches, you name it. The football authorities live in their own little world largely unrelated to any other or even any other sport.

In all probability JR would have no valid grounds of appeal even if every single decison that the referee had made was incorrect.

Donaldo, please make sure you are sitting down, i agree with you.
It seems very unfair that players can be charged and either fined or suspended following video evidence but it seems that the reverse, in this case with the refs ineptitude,cant be challenged.
I agree with NY that JR was probably wrong to speak out as he did but the reporter caught him while he was still very much hot under the collar about events and he spoke from the heart.
It will be interesting to see what view the FA take when JR presents his case which will obviously include video evidence of the errors made by the ref.

It was my recollection that JR's opening words on the Football League Show were "I just wanted to come on here and say.....". It was very typical of the man and any normal supporter, given that opportunity, would have said the same. I don't think he needed any encouragement and in the real world it was fair comment.

He will probably say " Well Lads for four years you have been sending rubbish refs. The only way were were going to loose was with controversial penalties, so you sent the pillar (k) that you sent to us against Southampton last year and he awarded them two as well. Now that I am saying that he was not right but the two places are close and have many seaside resorts. Perhaps you lot just wanted to ensure we went down. You have done us no favours this long have you then lads?"
"ROVERS TILL I DIE" then just Now I am going home"

http://www.sportinglife.com/football/nationwide1/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=nonwire_soccer/12/04/24/manual_163849.html&BID=360

Sorry, my bad....

FA are just a joke! Afraid to take criticism at crucial moments, so they fine them instead ?!?! It's about time they did!!!

To be fair to the FA, FIFA and UEFA are just the same when it comes to criticizing officials. It's also not a level playing field as bigger names get away with more (he said, thinking about a Ted-nosed scots-bloke).

The totally crazy thing about it is while JR / Rovers will get a fine, the one bloke who was truly incompetent will escape without censure. Ridiculous!

But consider for a moment what has caused the authorities to take this uncompromising stance. I remember in the 80s when the losing manager would walk to the neatest microphone and lay into the ref. the red-nosed one was always doing it. So to protect the refs, you get this.

Both are wrong of course. A non-kangaroo court would get all the facts like the assessors report, the TV coverage and look to see if there was any justification for the comments. But it's easier just to fine the clubs, particularly if they are not a Man Utd and can't fight back.

I suspect that JR won't mind a small fine if it gives him the opportunity to tell the FA what he thinks about this - and other matters come to that.

Barnsley fan in peace just this makes my blood boil how you can get charged for telling the truth is a joke plus this game was the final nail to relegation had it been different you could have been doing a chesterfield theyve won every one since the day they could have been down thinking about it some poor team just up the road would have probably scupperd that 1 at Bristol last week but anyway regardless it's a joke.

Good luck next season lads hope you come straight back up and even more worrying hope we can stay up next season then on with the derbies again!

Thanks Barnsleymike - yes, it woud be great if we could resume our rivalry the season after next in the Championship - make sure that you stay up next season - continue to fly the flag for Yorkshire and the smaller clubs - and we'll do our best to join you asap!!