Soccer

Andy Carroll blasts referee after late penalty decision

Jonathan Moss penalised Carroll for fouling Jeffrey Schlupp in the dying minutes

Match referee Jonathan Moss awards a penalty to Leicester City after a foul by West Ham United’s Andy Carroll. Photo: Mike Egerton/PA
Match referee Jonathan Moss awards a penalty to Leicester City after a foul by West Ham United’s Andy Carroll. Photo: Mike Egerton/PA
Sun Apr 17 2016 - 18:43

West Ham striker Andy Carroll has lambasted referee Jonathan Moss for an unacceptable performance, even accusing the official of trying to even things up by awarding Leicester a stoppage-time penalty.

Much of the focus during a thrilling if fractious contest was on the officials, with several penalty appeals overlooked before goalscorer Jamie Vardy received a second yellow card having been adjudged to dive in the 56th minute.

Anger grew when referee Moss decided to punish Wes Morgan's pressure on Winston Reid, allowing substitute Carroll to strike home a spot-kick followed up minutes later by a wonderful Aaron Cresswell goal.

However, the match would end 2-2 thanks to a last-gasp Leonardo Ulloa penalty awarded after Jeffrey Schlupp went down under pressure from Carroll — something which infuriated the Hammers striker.

READ MORE

“It is the same week in, week out,” Carroll said. “The same decisions, bad decisions costing us games.

“It is eight points now that we’ve dropped. It is not acceptable, to be honest.

“I know that, the manager knows that, all the players know that and a lot of the people standing around, like yourself, know that.

“I mean, it is a bad decision — it is bad decisions he has given all game. It’s not the first time and probably won’t be the last.”

Leicester captain Morgan told journalists he was not allowed to speak after the match, seemingly in a bid to stop him expressing his thoughts about the officials.

However, Carroll had no problem letting rip, especially when it came to the penalty which allowed Leicester to level.

“I think it was a poor decision,” he said. “I think he’s trying to even it up and I think a lot of people have said that.

“It’s not acceptable. Week in, week out we’ve had bad decisions.”

It was a display which will no doubt bring referee Moss’ position under scrutiny for the remainder of the campaign and underlined Carroll’s belief that officials “need help”.

“Whether they’ve got the camera, whatever you need — something needs to happen,” he said.

“We could have been third in the league now if we had eight points. Third — and now we’re still fighting for fourth, fifth spot and we’re slipping down by losing these points.

“We could be third and flying, and probably could still be in the cup. It is just disappointing and there’s nothing we can do about it when others are making the decision.”