Referee decisions baffle Hodgson

The clash between Kelly and Riise led to a chaotic few minutes on Thursday

Fulham boss Roy Hodgson was dismayed with officials after the 1-1 draw with Roma in Thursday's Europa League clash.

Referee Paul Allaerts awarded a penalty for a Stephen Kelly tackle on John Arne Riise and then wrongly sent off Brede Hangeland before changing his mind.

"If you watch the penalty decision it was a harsh one. Referees make wrong decisions. We know that," Hodgson said.

"He selected the wrong man. I would like to have seen his assistant make it clear to the referee it wasn't a foul."

The incident was all the more frustrating for Hodgson, given the presence of an additional official behind the goal.

Uefa and Fifa decided to trial the use of extra officials behind the goal in this season's Europa League, with particular focus on events inside the penalty area.

It was a frustrating way to end the evening for Fulham who had taken the lead when Hangeland nodded in Bjorn Helge Riise's corner in the first half.

Mayhem ensued with 15 minutes remaining when Hangeland was wrongly red-carded after Kelly's clash with John Arne Riise in the box.

Referee Allaerts realised his error after being surrounded by Fulham players and then had to show the red card instead to Irish defender Kelly.

Although Mark Schwarzer saved Jeremy Menez's penalty, the Italians went on to secure an invaluable point against their opponents' 10 men thanks to a last-minute volley from Marco Andreolli.

"Kelly has tried quite hard to stay out of the way because he knew Riise was looking for the penalty," added Hodgson.

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"The sending off I can't really understand. Hangeland was coming across to try and get a block in.

"The penalty was awarded so I can't understand why the referee felt it necessary for us to play the last 15 minutes with 10 men."

As a result the Londoners dropped down to second spot in Group E, one point behind leaders Basle.

Hodgson lamented his team's back luck, recalling the last-minute goal that denied them victory in the recent 2-2 draw with West Ham in the Premier League when Kagisho Dikgacoi was sent off.

"We should have won the game (against Roma)," said the 62-year-old.

"It's extremely hard for us because we did very well at West Ham earlier this month but had another extremely harsh sending off there too.

"It's amazing that a team that hardly commits a foul gets two players sent off this season.

"Roma equalised with the very last kick of the game with a deflected goal so obviously we feel aggrieved."