Darren Ferguson launches scathing attack on referee

Darren Ferguson has launched a scathing attack on Football League refereeing standards after his Doncaster side were denied a late penalty in their match with Plymouth.

The son of Sir Alex was livid at the full-time whistle after referee Andy Haines did not award his men a last minute penalty, which would have set up the opportunity to win the match.

Ferguson stormed onto the pitch to rage at Haines, and remained fuming in his post-match press conferences where he laid into the officials.

The 45-year-old marched onto the pitch to give the match officials a piece of his mind

‘It’s the most blatant penalty you’ll ever see, there’s nothing to think about,’ Ferguson said when asked about the late incident.

‘The defender has just pulled Andy Butler to the floor. The linesman can see it, he’s stood looking right at it,’ Ferguson said.

‘It’s the clearest penalty you’ll see all season, and the goal is a clear foul, and the linesman is laughing at the end of the game about it. I think it’s disgusting.

‘The referees are part-time and the standard is appalling, their fitness levels are a disgrace, I’ve had enough of it,’ the 45-year-old added.

Ferguson was adamant he would be receiving an apology, such was the ridiculous nature of the pen being turned down.

When asked what the remedy could be for such incidents a furious Ferguson said: ‘shoot them’

‘When they look at it, they’ll say it was a blatant penalty, a blatant foul,’ said Ferguson, before being asked what he or the Football Association could do about such matters.

‘What can I do? Shoot them, it would be a good idea,’ he replied.

‘I have to shut my mouth and I have to make sure I’m being respectful, but when they’re laughing at the end of the game saying “it’s my opinion and that’s what counts”, I think we’ve seen enough now,’ Ferguson added.