Hull City boss Grant McCann furious at officials after Doncaster draw

HULL CITY head coach Grant McCann admitted that he was extremely disappointed with the performance of referee Charles Breakspear and his officials in his side's roller-coaster 3-3 draw at former club Doncaster Rovers - and believes he may have been influenced by the constant shouts for penalties and free-kick from the home contingent at the Keepmoat Stadium.
Hull City head coach Grant McCann.Hull City head coach Grant McCann.
Hull City head coach Grant McCann.

McCann's side were set fair at 3-1 in front at the break, but a dramatic rally saw Rovers reduce the arrears courtesy of Omar Bogle's penalty awarded after a foul by Mallik Wilks on Josh Sims.

It came after howls for two spot-kicks for perceived handball offences went unpunished and McCann felt that award against Wilks - who netted twice in the first half - was the wrong call.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

McCann was also angry at the decision to award a free-kick in the 12th minute of stoppage-time which ended in a dream finish for James Coppinger, who netted a brilliant leveller to earn Rovers a point after coming off the bench in the 86th minute.

McCann, who was booked after complaining at the referee after Greg Docherty was took to walk off the pitch ahead of being substituted for Regan Slater on 56 minutes said: "The second half felt berserk and there were decisions that absolutely baffled me and my staff and players.

"Greg Docherty had a groin injury and was on the floor and gets up and the referee tells him to walk off the pitch. Usually when you are injured, the physio comes on and assesses you.

"And it gives you an opportunity to get your sub ready. I don't know why the referee told him to walk off the pitch when he had a groin injury.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"It was stop-start and it felt that every time there was a challenge, there was a free-kick given to Doncaster.

"Doncaster were good in the second half and we have to give them credit and we did not get our shape right and they got the ball into (Omar) Bogle too easily. We went away from what we were doing in the first half.

"The penalty decision was never a penalty and the free kick was never a free kick. A lot of things went against us and we were frustrated with that. Mallik had clearly touched the ball and Mallik is actually in front of him.

"There was a lot of noise from the stand and every time there was a ball into our box, there was a penalty shout and it was constant. I don't know whether he got sucked into that."

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

A frenetic finale saw a long period of added-on time played after George Honeyman was stretchered off amid worrying scenes after lengthy treatment after falling following a clash with Rovers substitute Jason Lokilo.

Offering his view on the incident, McCann added: "We have got an iPad on the bench that we can rewind and fast forward and looking back on that as it was on the floor, it did not look good for George. I don't think Lokilo is that type of player speaking to Darren (Moore) - he is a nice kid.

"But his arm was raised and into George's neck. George is obviously in a neck brace at this present time and is going to be assessed in the hospital.

"The physios and doctors could not take any risks with him. He had a very strong pain around his neck area and we are hoping and wishing George the very best of luck and that it is nothing serious."

Comment Guidelines

National World encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.