Bristol City boss brands referee’s decision as a ‘disgrace’ as his pre-match fears come true in play-off blow

Liam Manning labelled referee Oliver Langford’s decision to send Rob Dickie off as a ‘disgrace’ as Bristol City’s play-off hopes took a major blow.

The Robins slipped to a 3-0 defeat against Sheffield United in the first leg of their Championship play-off semi-final at Ashton Gate.

Manning was irate with the performance of referee Oliver LangfordCredit: GettyBut all the talk centred around Bristol City defender Dickie’s red card in the second minute of first-half stoppage time.

Blades striker Kieffer Moore was through on goal when Dickie hauled him down to the ground, but he managed to kick the ball away in the process of making the challenge.

Langford immediately pointed to the spot but, much to everyone’s shock at Ashton Gate, gave Dickie his marching orders too.

That’s because Manning and Bristol City supporters felt Dickie would benefit from the double-jeopardy law.

Read more football newsThe rule states: “Where a player commits an offence against an opponent within their own penalty area which denies an opponent an obvious goal-scoring opportunity and the referee awards a penalty kick, the offender is cautioned if the offence was an attempt to play the ball; in all other circumstances (e.g. holding, pulling, pushing, no possibility to play the ball etc.) the offending player must be sent off.”

Yet Bristol boss Manning fumed in his post-match interview and revealed he even called Kevin Friend, who is the referee manager for Select Group Two, earlier in the week to voice his concerns about Langford.

“I think it’s a disgrace, to be honest,” Manning told Sky Sports.

“We even called Kevin Friend this week to raise our concerns. If you look, we had him at Oxford, got a decision wrong. Luton v Coventry, another decision wrong. You just know it’s going to happen. That’s the frustration.

“When you look at it, was it the double-jeopardy we got told? Rob kicks the ball, so I don’t get how there’s a decision made like that.”

Manning added: “I think this game was too big for him. He shouldn’t be anywhere near it.

Dickie gave away a penalty when he was the last manCredit: Sky Sports

The referee opted to give Dickie his marching ordersCredit: Shutterstock Editorial”He’s got two or three red cards wrong this season, Joe Williams being one which he apologised for.

“It’s unfortunate, but we went into the game knowing there’s the potential for that to happen. He just shouldn’t have been anywhere near it.”

The Bristol City boss was also in no mood to express his frustrations to Langford after the match, declaring it would have been a ‘complete waste of time’.

Langford has awarded the most penalties in the Championship this season having pointed to the spot six times in 29 fixtures.

He has also dished out six red cards, with only Gavin Ward and Matt Donohue brandishing more with seven and eight respectively.

“It’s been a long season for everybody, it’s taken a huge amount of work,” Manning said.

Burrows scored from the spot as the Blades ran out comfortable winnersCredit: GettyFootage emerges of Leeds stars Patrick Bamford and Ethan Ampadu trolling Burnley as they sing “Unwritten” by Natasha Bedingfield

“We all make mistakes but for me, we knew going into the game the risks with the referee.

“Again, for me it’s just a massive red flag. If he’s one of the best in the Championship, we’re in trouble.”

Harrison Burrows opened the scoring for the Blades when he converted from the spot following Dickie’s sending off.

Andre Brooks and Callum O’Hare then struck in the space of six minutes to leave the Robins with an almighty mountain to climb in the return leg at Bramall Lane on Monday.

It was a cruel result for City, who were making their first appearance in the Championship play-offs in 17 years.