Doyle: Sending off 'seemed to even up' goalkeeper's dismissal

Republic of Ireland striker Kevin Doyle has said that the referee’s decision to send him off in last night’s Euro 2012 qualifier at the Aviva Stadium seemed to be down to the official’s attempt to “even up” the numbers after he sent of Armenia’s goalkeeper.

Doyle was adjudged to have elbowed Armenian midfielder Mkrtchyan as the pair jumped for a high ball and it resulted in a red card for a second bookable offence.

Doyle said: “It was a strange decision. I think I had a good few decisions go against me, I should have got a few frees and he just seemed to even it up, because it was probably a harsh decision their keeper getting sent off as well.”

His dismissal came in the second half after his side got a huge helping of luck when Roman Berezovksy was sent off in the first half for handball, despite the fact that Simon Cox had used his own arm to bring the ball under control as he found himself face to face with the keeper just outside the Armenian box.

The Wolves striker also ruled out the possibility of the official having a personal vendetta against him in last night’s game.

He said: “I jumped for a header like I do every time, and if the other player doesn’t jump and he is two feet below me I can’t help that my arms are at the level of his head.

“It doesn’t help when he goes down screaming either and gets up five seconds later.”

“I never go up to deliberately hurt anyone when I go up for a header and you know I didn’t hurt him, if anything I barely touched him and he has made the most of it.”