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Premier League: Mark Hughes speaks out over FA decision not to pursue Garry Monk's 'cheat' claim

SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 25:  Manager Mark Hughes of Stoke City looks on before the Barclays Premier League match between Southampton and Stoke City
Image: Mark Hughes: Forthright opinions on Garry Mon's comments

Stoke manager Mark Hughes feels the Football Association's decision not to charge Garry Monk over calling Victor Moses a cheat could have set a dangerous precedent.

Swansea boss Monk was asked to explain his comments after calling the Stoke winger a cheat for going down under a challenge from Angel Rangel that earned the Potters a penalty in their 2-1 victory earlier this month.

The Swans manager stood by his comments and the FA this week decided to take no further action.

Asked if it had set an unwelcome precedent, Hughes said: "I think it may well have done. Maybe that word is allowed to be used by ourselves. It seems to be that the FA's vindicated what was said."

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Mark Hughes believes more should be done by referees to review controversial incidents immediately after a game

Earlier in the same Premier League game, Swansea were awarded a penalty by referee Michael Oliver after Stoke captain Ryan Shawcross tussled with Wilfried Bony in the box.

Stoke are angry that Shawcross has been singled out as a high-profile offender and Hughes has even relieved him of marking duties at set-pieces because of concerns referees are looking to punish him.

The Stoke manager said: "We are speaking to people we feel have got an influence and need to be told our feelings about the situation, because we feel quite strongly. That's ongoing.

"Sometimes you've got to get the message across that we're not going to stand for it and we think it's unfair. I'm sure Ryan will be fine but, if it goes on any longer, then it's detrimental to any player. We need to stop it."

Hughes added that one way of improving refereeing standards is to get them to review a game's potential issues straight afterwards.

Review

He said: "The whole game needs to be reviewed by the referee and his team immediately after a game rather than waiting a couple of days to see what media outcry there is and then someone who wasn't even at the game is asked to see whether decisions are right or wrong."

Maybe that word (cheat) is allowed to be used by ourselves. It seems to be that the FA's vindicated what was said.
Mark Hughes

His forthright views come as Stoke seek to get back to winning ways against in-form West Ham on Saturday following back-to-back defeats by Southampton in league and cup.

West Ham have enjoyed three successive wins, including over Manchester City last weekend.

"They're doing very well, playing exceptionally well," said Hughes. "They've changed their way of playing somewhat but don't underestimate, they still have plan A and plan B; if they feel they need to go long, they will do.

"It's not a bad option, obviously we use it as well so it's not something to make apologies about. It works at the right time.

"They've got good pace up front. The lads they've brought in have made an immediate impact, scored goals. It's gone really well for them and they're playing with a lot of confidence."

Hughes said of West Ham's summer signing Diafra Sakho: "He has done really well. I didn't know a great deal about him, and they're always a risk.

"Until you bring them to the league, you're never quite sure how they're going to deal with the physicality of the Premier League, but credit to him, he's done exceptionally well. He's a real threat and I've been very impressed with him."

Stoke will be without suspended duo Phil Bardsley and Peter Crouch, who Hughes revealed has apologised following his sending off against Southampton in midweek.

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