Wolverhampton Wanderers manager Nuno Espirito Santo could face sanctions from the Premier League after saying the referee in his team's 2-1 defeat at Burnley on Monday was not good enough for the top flight.
The Portuguese manager took aim at referee Lee Mason despite the official giving his side a late penalty and his words are likely to be reviewed by the league's disciplinary body.
"The referee did not have the quality for a Premier League game, this is a problem we know we had Lee Mason before. It is not about the crucial mistake or decisions, it is about how he handles the game," said Espirito Santo.
"The players get nervous, he whistles from the noises from the players. We are talking about the best competition but he does not have the quality to whistle the game.
"I just don't want to see him more, I told him I hope he does not whistle a game of ours again. He cannot control the players, the players are constantly arguing. The other referees let the game flow," he said.
Burnley manager Sean Dyche was surprised Wolves' Portuguese midfielder Joao Moutinho was not sent off after a VAR review of a challenge on Josh Brownhill in the final minutes but was more supportive of the officials.
"I've no problems with the referees, it is really difficult now. The three most difficult jobs are the two managers and the referee. I don't think any game is easy for referees at the moment. We all want the decisions of course, it is one of those things," he said.
Ashley Barnes and Chris Wood were on target for Burnley.
The win against 11th-placed Wolves, extends Burnley's unbeaten run to four games and moves them up to 16th spot on 13 points and one behind Arsenal with a game in hand.
Burnley had been struggling for goals, managing just six in their opening 12 league matches of the season, and manager Dyche turned to his trusted old pairing of Barnes and Wood.
Barnes, who last scored in November 2019, put the Clarets ahead 10 minutes before the break, heading in at the back post after Charlie Taylor burst to the byline and floated in a high cross.
Josh Brownhill went close for the home side after the break with a well-struck effort from outside the box which crashed against the bar.
But moments later Burnley had their second when Ben Mee rose to head a free-kick across the face of goal and, with Barnes causing havoc in the Wolves defence, the ball fell to New Zealander Wood who fired home.
Burnley looked more determined with Westwood and Brownhill relentless in midfield but, having failed to take their chances to kill off the game, were forced to sweat in the final minutes after an 89th minute Fabio Silva penalty gave Wolves hope.
- Reuters
Wolves boss Espirito Santo slams referee after Burnley defeat
Image: PETER POWELL / REUTERS
Wolverhampton Wanderers manager Nuno Espirito Santo could face sanctions from the Premier League after saying the referee in his team's 2-1 defeat at Burnley on Monday was not good enough for the top flight.
The Portuguese manager took aim at referee Lee Mason despite the official giving his side a late penalty and his words are likely to be reviewed by the league's disciplinary body.
"The referee did not have the quality for a Premier League game, this is a problem we know we had Lee Mason before. It is not about the crucial mistake or decisions, it is about how he handles the game," said Espirito Santo.
"The players get nervous, he whistles from the noises from the players. We are talking about the best competition but he does not have the quality to whistle the game.
"I just don't want to see him more, I told him I hope he does not whistle a game of ours again. He cannot control the players, the players are constantly arguing. The other referees let the game flow," he said.
Burnley manager Sean Dyche was surprised Wolves' Portuguese midfielder Joao Moutinho was not sent off after a VAR review of a challenge on Josh Brownhill in the final minutes but was more supportive of the officials.
"I've no problems with the referees, it is really difficult now. The three most difficult jobs are the two managers and the referee. I don't think any game is easy for referees at the moment. We all want the decisions of course, it is one of those things," he said.
Ashley Barnes and Chris Wood were on target for Burnley.
The win against 11th-placed Wolves, extends Burnley's unbeaten run to four games and moves them up to 16th spot on 13 points and one behind Arsenal with a game in hand.
Burnley had been struggling for goals, managing just six in their opening 12 league matches of the season, and manager Dyche turned to his trusted old pairing of Barnes and Wood.
Barnes, who last scored in November 2019, put the Clarets ahead 10 minutes before the break, heading in at the back post after Charlie Taylor burst to the byline and floated in a high cross.
Josh Brownhill went close for the home side after the break with a well-struck effort from outside the box which crashed against the bar.
But moments later Burnley had their second when Ben Mee rose to head a free-kick across the face of goal and, with Barnes causing havoc in the Wolves defence, the ball fell to New Zealander Wood who fired home.
Burnley looked more determined with Westwood and Brownhill relentless in midfield but, having failed to take their chances to kill off the game, were forced to sweat in the final minutes after an 89th minute Fabio Silva penalty gave Wolves hope.
- Reuters
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