Derby County’s Ashley Cole was booked for diving against Brentford.
Some Derby County supporters have taken to Twitter to lament the incompetence of the officials after Sky Sports confirm the club received a fine for being unable to control their players during the 3-3 draw at Brentford last Saturday.
The incident in question happened when, with the scores locked at 2-2, left-back Ashley Cole burst into the area following a corner and appeared to have been felled by Brentford’s Neal Maupay.
The referee immediately blew his whistle, but to the surprise of most he gave the decision Brentford’s way, booking Cole for diving and prompting several Derby players to rush over and protest his verdict.
Commenting on Twitter, Derby supporters clearly felt Cole was fouled and the resulting fine only adds insult to injury with several pointing the finger at the incompetence of the Championship officiating.
It is not the first time Derby have been denied what appeared to be a clear penalty this season. In the earlier 0-0 draw with rivals Nottingham Forest, the Rams were also harshly done by a key refereeing decision.
Manager Frank Lampard couldn’t hide his frustration at the end of Derby’s draw at Griffin Park, telling reporters for the BBC how the decision not to award the Rams a penalty cost his side two points.
“The penalty is the most frustrating thing you would ever see. It’s a clear penalty. I don’t know how the referee gets it wrong, all the Brentford players knew. That loses us the two points. I have no idea why he didn’t give it,” Lampard explained.
It sums up what has been a frustrating past week for the Rams as defeat against Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park on Tuesday now leaves the east Midlands side potentially five points adrift of the playoffs.
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