Lee Bowyer and Jimmy Bell have differing views on late penalty drama

Posted Sunday, January 20, 2019 by PA

Charlton manager Lee Bowyer absolved striker Lyle Taylor and Accrington goalkeeper Jonny Maxted of all blame after they were dismissed in a fiery encounter at The Valley.

The duo were handed straight red cards eight minutes from time following a goalmouth brawl sparked after the Addicks striker was adjudged to have fouled the Stanley stopper.

And there was more controversy to follow deep into stoppage time when promotion-chasing Charlton were awarded a penalty when Ben Reeves’ shot struck Daniel Barlaser’s arm.

Referee John Busby consulted the linesman before pointing to the spot, much to the obvious fury of the visitors.

Karlan Grant stepped up to convert the penalty and seal all three points – a decision Bowyer backed afterwards.

But he was less impressed with Mr Busby’s call to give Taylor and Maxted their marching orders.

Bowyer said: “If you are asking me if it was a penalty then it was. I don’t think there is anything controversial about it – it was a penalty.

“I’ve looked back at the dismissals and for me I don’t understand why those two have been sent off.

“If anything they are the two who have done the least. Lyle is laid on the floor throughout the whole incident.

“If you look back at the whole incident while Lyle is on the floor there are two or three more who could have got sent off.

“I can’t see what Lyle has done or the keeper. Both of them, I can’t see what they’ve done wrong.

“We will appeal it because Lyle is blocking the goalie so he can’t come for the cross. He gives the foul because obviously the goalie is on his back, they’ve both gone onto the floor and then all of a sudden people just come running from all over and treading all over him.

“I can’t see what he has done wrong, unless they show us something separate, but throughout that whole time Lyle was on the floor getting trod on and stamped on. And their keeper did nothing wrong either.”

Stanley opposite number John Coleman was so annoyed by the late drama he refused to speak with the media afterwards.

Assistant Jimmy Bell volunteered to do the post-match honours in his absence, explaining it was the referee’s reaction which prompted him to do so.

Bell said: “Everyone is absolutely devastated at the outcome. I’ve specifically asked John if I could do the press conference. I’m incensed by what went on in the last couple of minutes.

“What the referee said to me is why I’m here. I might get myself into a little bit of hot water saying this, but the officials need to stand up, come out and explain the decision as to why Charlton won the game.

“A referee has turned around to me and said he didn’t think it was a penalty. Now who is officiating the game?

“John Busby was in charge of the game and has a birds-eye view of the incident and he has let an official who is working for him gift a major, major decision in added-on time, who in my opinion cannot even see the incident.

“Mr Busby is looking directly at the incident.

“He turned around to me and said ‘I don’t think it was a penalty Jimmy but when one of my officials is adamant it was I have to go with him’.

“I just don’t understand where he is coming from. There was a lot of hard work went into this game against a very good Charlton team and we worked our socks off for 92 minutes.

“We defended resolutely and when something like that happens it is really hard to bear.”