GARY Megson has questioned whether referee Rob Styles should be allowed to take charge of future Wanderers matches.
The referee found himself once again at the centre of a Bolton storm on Saturday when he disallowed a ‘goal’ by Gary Cahill in the 2-0 defeat against Liverpool.
Outside the Reebok at least, opinion is divided as to whether there was an off-the-ball foul on Reds keeper Pepe Reina by Kevin Nolan.
But what is not in question is that the incident was a major turning point, with Liverpool leading 1-0 at the time.
Styles had previously angered the Whites boss when he wrongly awarded a penalty against Jlloyd Samuel at Old Trafford in September – a decision for which he later apologised in a private phone call to the club.
And the controversy over his latest call has Megson wondering whether the matter could spill over when the club next crosses paths with the Hampshire official.
“It has all taken away from the real focus, which should be, is the referee we had on Saturday capable of refereeing Bolton games in the right manner?” he said.
“We have had the penalty at United and now that. One of our players got booked and I think that was a carry-on from something that happened at Old Trafford.
“I think the players and the crowd know full well Rob Styles and his record at our football club.”
Megson, who praised his players’ conduct towards referees this season, was unrepentant when asked whether Cahill’s goal should have stood.
“I am really pleased because, in my opinion, we have not particularly had the rub of the green in some games,” he said.
“It was proven the goal against Arsenal was offside, the penalty against United shouldn’t have been one, and I don’t care what other people have said - the disallowed goal against Liverpool was not a free-kick.
“Some of the excuses I have heard - international rules I have never heard of, obstruction despite the fact the ball wasn’t in play - have amazed me.
“Anyone is entitled to stand on that spot, not just the goalkeeper. They are not entitled to shove him in the back to move him out of the way.
“If there was an infringement it should have gone our way but there wasn’t one.”
Having been on the wrong end of decisions against Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester United - Megson could be forgiven for having a ‘Big Four’ complex with the visit of Chelsea just around the corner.
“Sometimes you sail a bit close to the wind if you want to tell the truth,” he said. “I was asked if that had happened at Liverpool, would it have been ruled out. I don’t think it would.
“I think the bigger teams tend to get decisions and I also think if that goal had gone in at the other end, instead of in front of 5,500 Liverpool supporters, I think it would also have stood.”
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