We’ve seen this before
Neil Warnock descended into a rage after Mike Dean reversed his decision to award Cardiff City a penalty having consulted his assistant referee.
Burnley took an early lead at Turf Moor through Chris Wood after half an hour but Cardiff almost had a golden chance to level the scoring from 12 yards after Ben Mee headed the ball onto his own arm. Dean’s initial reaction was to point to the spot, but his assistant advised him against giving the away side a penalty, and Dean reversed his decision.
Neil Warnock, never one to keep a lid on his emotions, exploded into anger on the touchline, demanding an explanation from the fourth official.
Doing commentary on the game for BBC Radio 5Live, former Everton midfielder Leon Osman criticised the officiating, saying Cardiff have every right to feel aggrieved.
“That is utterly ridiculous,” he said.
“To be overruled by Mike Dean in such a way, speaking to his linesman after saying he wasn’t going to go and speak to him, Cardiff are just left furious.
“How that can be overruled is absolutely ridiculous. The assistant has given it but for some reason he’s overruled it. I can’t believe it, it’s utterly ridiculous and yet again Neil Warnock is left feeling very let down by the officials.
“Cardiff have every reason to contest this. The officials have confused everybody.”
Just moments before this contentious decision, Cardiff could have had another penalty as Ben Mee blocked a shot with his arm.
With Cardiff fighting to get out of the bottom three, the Bluebirds need these moments to go their way. But they also need to improve their finishing – just one of their eight shots in the first hour were on target.
