Crystal Palace boss Alan Pardew couldn’t hold back in his after match interview with Geoff Shreeves following his side’s 2-1 defeat from Liverpool.
Christian Benteke’s stoppage time dive earned a penalty which the Belgian striker converted to extend Palace’s run without a league win to 12 matches and closer towards the relegation zone.
Shreeves is without doubt the best in the business when it comes to after match interviews, retaining the nerve to get managers and players to open up while standing his ground when challenged over asking the questions that other steer clear of.
Sky Sports viewers were treated to a spectacular bust up live on air with the Palace boss continuing in the same manner for his all in after match media conference.
“That touch doesn’t warrant the dive he makes, and it’s the dive that makes the linesman’s mind up,” Pardew said. “It’s a worrying issue in the game.
“We’ve heard (Sky Sports pundit and former Liverpool defender) Jamie Carragher saying there was contact and he was within his rights to go down. Jamie Carragher is saying that? He’s an ex pro. Come on.
“Both of them (Benteke and the referee): really frustrated with that. You try to be fair, to say the right thing to your players, and send out the right message to the players.
“Everyone’s seen the penalty. If you’re the referee and see the centre-half pulling out of the challenge, you don’t give the penalty. And I don’t think he did.
“The linesman assumes that little touch is a penalty. He makes the most of it. If you think that touch affects the fall and the way he lands, then you really need to be consulted.
“That touch doesn’t warrant that dive. If that touch warrants a collapse like that, then wow, we really need to say: ‘Come on’.”
