ROO BLUE AT REF'S ‘GAFFE'

Wayne: It should have been a penalty

- John Wragg

WAYNE Rooney was left bemused after referee Andy Woolmer turned a deadly dull game into a pantomime.

Derby were expecting a penalty in the second half when Lee Buchanan was brought down by Nick Powell.

Woolmer blew straight away, but then the confused ref eventually gave a dropped ball.

Players were amazed and Woolmer came over to tell both Derby boss Wayne Rooney and Stoke manager Michael O’Neill what had gone on.

“I think he’s made a mistake and I think he knows that,” says Rooney.

“I appreciate it is very difficult for referees to get all the decisions right. But it’s so obvious, the referee, the linesmen, the fourth official, someone has to see it and communicate it.

“The referee explained there was contact, but he didn’t feel it was a penalty.

“Now if a player jumping on another player’s back is not a penalty then maybe I need to go through the rule book and find out what the rules are.

“It’s frustrating. You can accept mistakes and I think the referee has seen he has made a mistake. I’m sure he will hold his hands up to that.”