Martinez lodges complaints about match officials

18/01/2015

Manager contacts PGMO chief, Mike Riley

Roberto Martinez has contacted Mike Riley, head of the Professional Game Match Officials Board, to make an official complaint regarding "six or seven" decisions which he believes have negatively affected Everton's season.

The Catalan has been irked especially by decisions in the recent away matches at Manchester City, Newcastle United and West Ham.

Martinez lodged a complaint about the performance of Referee Andre Marriner in Everton's 1-0 defeat the Etihad Stadium last month where Eliaquim Mangala escaped a red card for a dangerous tackle on Samuel Eto'o, Ross Barkley was unfairly booked for "diving" and Phil Jagielka was penalised for a soft challenge on James Milner that led to the winning goal from the penalty spot.

Meanwhile, Kevin Mirallas was denied a penalty by Neil Swarbrick at Upton Park in the Blues' ill-fated FA Cup replay last Tuesday, with match official only awarding a free-kick outside the area for an infringement that was clearly inside the box.

"I have contacted Mike Riley about it," Martinez said. "They accept there's been an honest error made, but there have been too many now. I always feel the referees are part of the game and the error of the referee makes the game what it is.

"That's part of the debate for fans, but it's tough to take when you've got six or seven big calls which didn't go your way and could have been so different and the scorelines could have changed.

"I'm a bit romantic on that and I still believe over the course of the season, they are going to level up. So watch this space for the next six games!"

Quotes sourced from Daily Express

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