United incensed over Referee's pre-match comments

Date Published: 07-Jul-2010

Galway United 2 Bray Wanderers 2

Keith Kelly at

Terryland Park

THE FAI has launched an investigation into comments allegedly made by referee Anthony Buttimer to a Galway United player before Monday night’s match with Bray Wanderers after receiving an official complaint on the matter from United.

A spokesperson for the FAI confirmed to Tribune Sport on Wednesday that a complaint had been received on the matter, and it was waiting to speak to the referee’s observer who was at the match in Terryland Park as the first step in its process of investigation.

“Galway United sent us a letter of complaint about an incident from Monday night, and we have replied to them to say we have received the letter. We are following the matter up, starting by speaking to the referee’s observer who was at the game, but that is all we can say on the matter at this moment,” the spokesperson said.

Speaking to local media after the game, United striker Anto Flood – who grabbed a late equaliser for United – claimed that Buttimer went up to him before kick-off, warned him not to come up complaining to him during the game and said if he did, he (Buttimer) would race Flood for his wages after the game.

Buttimer was approached by the media in the referees’ room after the game, but when the allegations were put to him, his only response was “get out, no comment”. It is common knowledge that the United players are not taking a pay packet this week in order to help steady the ship at the financially-troubled club, and a livid Flood – and United manager, Sean Connor – slammed the alleged comments as “disgraceful” after the game.

“At the start of the game even before we went out on the pitch he asked me would I race him for my wages. What sort of a referee says that to you before you go out to play a match? He said ‘don't come up to me because I will be waiting for you with cards’. That was before the game even started, he was saying that to us.

“No referee has the right to say that about your wages to anyone. They should mind their own business and do their own job and he didn't do his job. He missed a stonewall penalty, one of their goals was two yards offside, and then he goes around laughing at you,” Flood said afterwards.

Connor was equally enraged, demanding a full FAI investigation and saying that Buttimer should never be allowed to referee a game after what he said to Flood.