Fulham Boss Silva Unleashes Fury On Referee After Controversial Ipswich Draw
Claudio Ranieri last night launched an astonishing attack on referee Mark Clattenburg after Fulham were held to a controversial 1-1 draw at Ipswich.
The Incident
The Italian was furious that Clattenburg failed to award a penalty to the Cottagers when Floyd Ayite was wrestled to the ground by Luke Chambers in the closing stages of a match that saw Fulham twice hit the woodwork.
"I am very disappointed with the referee because the penalty was clear and he didn't give it," said Ranieri. "It is not the first time. Last season we lost three points at Brighton because of him. He is not a good referee."
Ranieri's comments come just days after Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho accused Clattenburg of being "afraid" to give decisions against big clubs.
The Referee's Defense
Clattenburg has since defended his decision, claiming that he did not see Ayite being fouled.
"I was in a good position to see the incident and I didn't think it was a penalty," he said. "I understand that Fulham are disappointed but I am confident that I made the right decision."
The Pundits' View
The incident has divided opinion among pundits, with some backing Ranieri's claims and others supporting Clattenburg's decision.
"It was a clear penalty," said former referee Graham Poll. "Chambers had hold of Ayite's shirt and pulled him down. It was a clear foul and Clattenburg should have awarded the penalty."
"I think Clattenburg got it right," said former Manchester United defender Gary Neville. "Ayite went down very easily and I don't think there was enough contact to warrant a penalty."
The Fans' Reaction
Fulham fans have taken to social media to express their anger at Clattenburg's decision, with many calling for him to be banned from officiating their matches.
Ipswich fans, on the other hand, have defended Clattenburg, claiming that he made the right decision and that Fulham are simply trying to find excuses for their failure to win the match.
Conclusion
The controversy surrounding the refereeing decision in Fulham's draw with Ipswich is likely to continue for some time. It is a complex issue with no easy answers, and it is ultimately up to each individual to decide whether they believe Ranieri's claims or Clattenburg's defense.
However, it is clear that this incident has raised serious questions about the standard of refereeing in the English game. With so much at stake for clubs at the top and bottom of the table, it is essential that referees are making the right decisions on a consistent basis.
Only time will tell whether Clattenburg's decision will have a lasting impact on Fulham's season. But one thing is for sure: the controversy surrounding this incident is unlikely to be forgotten anytime soon.