Gannon criticises referee display

By John Barnes

Motherwell's management team were sanctioned by the match referee

Motherwell boss Jim Gannon has heavily criticised the referee in their 3-1 Europa League qualifying defeat by Steaua Bucharest in Airdrie.

Gannon and his assistant Peter Ward were both sent to the stand by Spaniard Carlos Clos Gomez as Well exited the competition 6-1 on aggregate.

"I don't think he knew what he was doing," Gannon told BBC Scotland.

"He wasn't in control for long periods of the game. I don't think he could wait to get us off the touchline."

The Motherwell manager was ordered to leave his technical area in the second half at Excelsior Stadium, although he claims he does not know why he or Ward were dismissed.

"I never left the technical area, I never used foul and abusive language, I never encouraged foul play, so why should someone who asks for a good standard from the referee be sent off?" asked Gannon.

"Pete hadn't done anything wrong - it was quite strange. But I think that was indicative of the lack of control the referee had of the game.

We had a few unfortunate bad refereeing decisions in the game Motherwell chairman John Boyle

"I'd like to present my side of the story if there was a disciplinary case."

Motherwell chairman John Boyle backed up his management team and says that their absence from the sidelines may well be the reason the side lost a third goal late on.

And he also made reference to two good penalty claims for the Fir Park side, which were waved away.

"We had a few unfortunate bad refereeing decisions in the game," said Boyle.

"Not only did the manager get sent to the stand, the assistant manger got sent to the stand as well over a couple of hotly disputed decisions.

"We were a bit rudderless in the last 10 minutes. I think the water man was directing the team at that stage - perhaps that's why we let the last goal in."

Boyle and Gannon were speaking at the launch of the Sir Matt Busby Shield.

Motherwell will host Manchester United at Fir Park on Sunday 6 September to commemorate 100 years since the birth of the former United manager.