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Football

05th Feb 2019

Jurgen Klopp asked to explain post-match comments about referee Kevin Friend

The FA have asked Jurgen Klopp for a written explanation of his post-match comments regarding referee Kevin Friend after Liverpool's draw with West Ham

Reuben Pinder

The FA want a written explanation

Reports have emerged claiming the FA have asked Jurgen Klopp to explain his comments about referee Kevin Friend after Liverpool’s draw with West Ham on Monday night.

Liverpool took the lead at the London Stadium through Sadio Mané, with a blatant offside going unnoticed in the build-up, before Michail Antonio levelled the scoring.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp suggested that Friend favoured the home side in debatable decisions, prompting the FA to take action.

Speaking to Sky Sports, the Liverpool manager said: “There were so many situations where it was 50-50 or 60-40… [he gave a] free-kick for the other team. As a human being, I know if I make a big mistake in the first half, I don’t want to open the gap even more.”

“Referees are obviously human beings, and I understand that, but I didn’t during the game because I had no clue that our goal was offside,” he added.

Managers are permitted to discuss refereeing decisions in post-match interviews, so long as they do not insinuate bias, call their integrity into question or say anything offensive.