Football league investigate ref's comments
The Football League are investigating match official Neil Yates after he described Blackpool as a team of “donkey lashers” on an internet messageboard.
The assistant referee was hit by a cigarette lighter thrown from the crowd during Blackpool’s 4-2 victory against Doncaster at Bloomfield Road on Tuesday night.
The incident has been reported to the Football Association but Yates later used a fans’ messageboard to criticise both clubs’ supporters.
The Blackburn official posted on Burnley Mad, an informal chat site for Burnley supporters: “It does make you wonder sometimes why we do it.
“However, last night, as on any other tough game, I consoled myself with the fact that they (the Doncaster supporters) had taken a day off work, spent six hours on congested motorways, eaten less than edible pies for tea, sat on a freezing cold, open stand for two hours, paid up to 20 quid for the privilege, seen their team perform abysmally, and get beaten by a team of donkey-lashers.
“And to cap it all they wouldn’t get home for closing time.”
The Football League has issued the following statement: “The Football League has contacted the official who has agreed to stop his contributions, and we are carrying out further investigations.
“Neil thought he was being helpful and educational and trying to explain the things that happen to officials during a match.
“However, we have advised him to stop writing on the site.
“We don’t sweep things like this under the carpet. I have sent this matter on to the FA, who will decide what action to take.”
Blackpool boss Simon Grayson told PA Sport: “I was very surprised to hear of these comments and while I’m sure every official has an allegiance to a particular club, you don’t expect them to come out and say things like that.”
