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.

Listen to the comments here

"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.”

Photo: Action Images

lowtit added 12:46 - Jan 12 what's wrong with being sexy?
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SWBlue86 added 12:47 - Jan 12 I agree PJ. Totally taken out of context
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noitan added 12:50 - Jan 12 Much ado about nothing. Blown up out of all proportion.
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john_itfc added 12:51 - Jan 12 Quite Right Mr Jewell now stop worrying on this and concentrate on matters of football.
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bontcho added 12:51 - Jan 12 Those misreporting these comments should be ashamed of themselves.
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suffolkpoker added 12:51 - Jan 12 i totally agree, all blown out of proportion. PJ just IN
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casanovacrow added 12:52 - Jan 12 Well said Paul, we are all behind you ...in this case anyway
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ChiefXL added 12:52 - Jan 12 I'm not a sexist, some of my best friend are wimmin innit.
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casanovacrow added 12:54 - Jan 12 "Vital Football has learned chief executive Simon Clegg has been on the phone to Jewell regarding the furore the manager's comments provoked and has 'strongly advised' him to make an apology." Doesn't sound like a backing to me, sounds like a trap lol
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MrCool added 12:55 - Jan 12 Agree with PJ. Time some people grew up...
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PhilTWTD added 12:56 - Jan 12 casanovacrow Re the quote, just spoke to the club and was told by a spokesman that that is total nonsense.
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irishtim added 12:57 - Jan 12 Have to agreee with u on this pj.But ur team well thats a different matter altogether
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casanovacrow added 12:59 - Jan 12 Thanks Phil, not surprised tbh, all media outlets baiting more of a story when a manager is on the ropes.
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Bluearmy71 added 13:00 - Jan 12 More PC BS from a world that you can no longer say things in without someone twisting it into what its not! Stick to ya guns PJ
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Surco72 added 13:02 - Jan 12 Do not apologise Paul as nothing you said was a sexist remark only factual ,the lines person who didnt give a def penalty was a woman .All officials make mistakes if they cannot take critiscm like players and managers i suggest they stop doing it
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Mr_Evans added 13:05 - Jan 12 What the hell was she doing out of the kitchen!!!!
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Tractastic added 13:05 - Jan 12 Comments made from pure frustration,prompted by a journalist and it was clearly a penalty. Will the PC brigade get off their high horses PJ i'm sure is not a sexist. However if this story does blow up it does give ME/Clegg the perfect opportunity to make a decision we all know is coming.
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Southamptonblue added 13:07 - Jan 12 'I thought the lineswoman, or whatever she is called' Mr Jewell, the correct term is "assistant referee"
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OnlyOneSirBobby added 13:08 - Jan 12 standard national media taking something out of context and blowing it completely out of context
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shoopdelang added 13:08 - Jan 12 Nothing sexist about it and regardless what us fans think of him as a manager it is important that we all back him in this instance
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punch_bowl added 13:10 - Jan 12 no matter what we think about the state of the club or management at the moment, i totally back PJ on this one.....what a load of tosh....everywhere you go now paranoid people who want the world to be all PC...love to see a female lineswoman running the line at the new Den...can imagine it now!....in the good old days of the north stand any female that walked pass selling programmes or confectionary got a blast of 'get your T**s out for the lads!

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Tiggs added 13:11 - Jan 12 Don't let this stop you from packing your bags Jewell.......................
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bizman added 13:13 - Jan 12 JUST SHUT UP AND SIGN 5 TOP PLAYERS YOU MAAAAD SEXIST LITTLE......!
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DiamondGezzer added 13:17 - Jan 12 What about the dregs of a reporter being sued for slander ? Typical gutter press, and did it help to sell another newspaper ? My guess is no.
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big_gaz67 added 13:19 - Jan 12 So Phil - are the club saying that Simon Clegg and PJ did not talk this morning or if they did that this subject wasn't mentioned at all? Because if a manager doesn't speak with a chief exec when there's trouble at mill I will be very surprised.
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