• Premier League

Unrepentant Villas-Boas stands by referee criticism

ESPN staff
October 25, 2011
Andre Villas-Boas says he has "full evidence" Chris Foy was inconsistent © PA Photos
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Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas has refused to back down after his criticism of referee Chris Foy, despite the prospect of an FA charge.

Villas-Boas expressed his outrage at Foy's performance after seeing his side beaten 1-0 by rivals Queens Park Rangers in the Premier League on Sunday, with both Jose Bosingwa and Didier Drogba receiving their marching orders in a game that was decided by Heidar Helguson's eighth-minute penalty.

Villas-Boas subsequently blamed the officiating for the defeat at Loftus Road, accusing Foy of "blatant refereeing mistakes" - comments that have attracted attention from the FA, who could yet charge him.

When asked if he wanted to apologise for that, Villas-Boas said: "No, not at all. For me it is pretty clear, there are mistakes that have been done.

"Of course the FA want to speak to me regarding things I said after the game, but I will reiterate once again that the same criteria was not applied for both teams.

"That is why I find it extremely unfair, in terms of the refereeing decisions, because if you take one rule you have to stick to it for the rest of the game to show that you have a pattern in what you are doing, and I have full evidence now that wasn't the case. So I will stick to what I said."

The FA is currently investigating whether or not to charge the Portuguese over his comments, but Villas-Boas does not fear repercussions as he is confident what he said was within the rules.

"It's not up to me to decide (whether he will be charged)," he said. "I was cool emotionally to say the right words and not doubt the referee's integrity. It is a game refereed by humans and a mistake is always present.

"I think with 11 players we should have played better, and there are mistakes we will have to avoid in future. We want to evolve from the mistakes in our process, but again it was a disappointing day for the referee, for Chris Foy, and I have to stick to my words."

Villas-Boas also confirmed that the club will not appeal against Bosingwa's red card, so the Portuguese defender can serve his one-match ban during the Carling Cup match against Everton on Wednesday.

Doing so will mean he is available for selection for the weekend's important Premier League contest against Arsenal.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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