Allardyce calls for Walton demotion
The Rovers manager will be taking up the issue with refereeing chief Keith Hackett in his latest crusade for justice for smaller clubs.
The Blackburn manager desperately wanted to avoid a bad case of sour grapes after finding himself on the receiving end of a breathtaking performance from Arsene Wenger’s side and Cesc Fabregas in particular, but he feels the lesser Premier League club’s have to make a stand if they continue to be treated poorly by officials.
Walton failed to award what Allardyce insists was a blatant penalty for Thomas Vermaelen’s challenge on David Dunn three minutes after half-time, with Arsenal holding a 3-2 advantage, before Cesc Fabregas inspired Arsenal to a crushing victory before the international break.
“They are fully professional now so if they are not good enough, we should find someone who is. That decision wasn’t good enough for me today and it had a major effect on the course of this game,” said Allardyce.
“In the big pressure pot that is this league you have got to get the major decisions right otherwise you don’t stay in this league too long – not as a manager or a player. So as a referee you have to be judged the same.
“It doesn’t even itself out over a season, that is the problem. I am in the billion-pound business. It is the multi, multi-million pounds I keep getting reminded about every day of the week about by everybody and the fact we can’t afford to go out of the Premier League.
“It could bankrupt the club and major decisions like that could take you into the relegation zone and if you are going to get relegated, you want to get relegated by your or your team not doing the job properly – not by major decisions like that not going for you.
“I try not to say too much in public and say it through the system, but unfortunately the system is not working. So I have to be heard.
“People may say it is bitter or twisted, but I know I am 100% right because I am very professional in what I do. I research everything and Keith Hackett knows I am right.”
Allardyce could find himself in trouble with the Football Association after his latest outburst, but Arsene Wenger believes he could be on course for a genuine tilt at the title this season, as he bids to end a four-year drought without a trophy.
Arsenal’s most decorated manager celebrated his 13th anniversary in style to move closer to the early pace-setters in the Premier League title race. “There is a real togetherness about the team,” said Wenger, who also welcomed back former striker Thierry Henry to the Emirates. “They are enjoying themselves and playing some wonderful football. I think we are strong.
“We are in a strong position this season, despite the fact that we have lost two games. The fact that we feel we should have got something from both games in Manchester makes us believe more.”
Wenger was also cheered by Theo Walcott recovering from a back injury, although he was still left out of the England squad for the World Cup qualifiers against Ukraine and Belarus named last night.
Manchester United goalkeeper Ben Foster and Tottenham’s Jermain Defoe are injured, while David James has been recalled.
