Town boss Paul Jewell has hit out at claims that his post-match comments at Birmingham last night were sexist. The Blues manager was unhappy with assistant referee Amy Fearn, believing she should have awarded his side a second half penalty but says his criticism was taken out of context by some media sources.
In a statement to the club website, Jewell said: "I absolutely refute suggestions that my comments were made in a sexist way.
"The opening line from a journalist at the start of the press conference was 'I think everyone to a man thought that was a penalty' and I responded by saying 'but not to a woman', meaning the official that was on that side and didn't give the decision.
"I didn't suggest in any way that the official made a mistake because she was a woman. I don't think what I said was sexist and will argue all day long with anyone that says it is."
Jewell explained his subsequent comment 'I thought the lineswoman, or whatever she is called' by adding: "I have said that a hundred times before about linesmen. It's just a reference to the officials who run the line now being known as assistant referees.
"I have listened to the tape recording of the press conference and I've no problems with what I said. The comments have been taken out of context, which is disappointing but that seems to be the world we live in now.
"I'm not expecting any comeback from the authorities and would be disappointed if there are but if that arrives, I will defend it vehemently and will have the full support of the club in doing that."
However, Alan Leighton, national secretary of Prospect, the referees' trades union, disagrees with Jewell's view: "These comments are clearly sexist and there’s no place for them in football.
"They show that women are not fully accepted within the game at the present time. It puts unbearable pressure on female assistants and referees who are aware that every time they step on to the pitch they are under special scrutiny.
"That isn’t going to be something that’s going to attract women to the game and that’s why people do need to take a view that they’re not going to make foolish, sexist comments.”