Kinnear Facing Another Spell In The Stands!

Last updated : 11 November 2008 By Footy Mad - Editor

The Football Association are reviewing the comments he made after Newcastle's defeat at Craven Cottage.

Kinnear branded official Martin Atkinson a "Mickey Mouse referee" for failing to spot a foul by Fulham's Andy Johnson on Claudio Cacapa in the build-up to the decisive penalty on Sunday.

A decision on whether the FA intend to pursue the matter likely today (Tuesday).

Kinnear: "There was a blatant foul prior to the penalty, which the referee ignored.

"We were camped in their half. Cacapa was on the ball - and Johnson completely pushes him out the way, nicks the ball and gets the penalty.

"We've got the Mickey Mouse referee doing nothing. He's made an error that cost us. That's the standard of refereeing in this country.

"It happens week in, week out. There's always a smart answer like 'someone was obstructing my view'.

"You used to be able to have a bit of banter with referees, and they'd put their hands up if they make mistakes. Now they hide."

Kinnear was given a two-match touchline ban in 2004 for calling referee Clive Penton 'Coco the Clown' while at Nottingham Forest, but it was carried over to his time at Newcastle ... because Forest sacked him.