QPR boss Neil Warnock claims the linesman was 'conned' by Norwich's Bradley Johnson following Joey Barton's controversial red card.
Hoops manager brands Barton decision 'ridiculous'
QPR boss Neil Warnock claims the linesman was 'conned' by Norwich man Bradley Johnson following Joey Barton's controversial sending off at Loftus Road on Monday.
The Rangers captain, who scored the hosts' goal in the 2-1 defeat, was given his marching orders in the opening half after the linesman informed the referee he had tried to headbutt Johnson.
Warnock was disappointed by the decision and blasted the Canaries midfielder for playing it to his advantage.
"(The referee) didn't see it at all. It's the linesman that's informed him he saw Joey Barton headbutt Bradley Johnson, which is ridiculous really," Warnock told
Sky Sports.
"I think he's guessed it because of Johnson's reaction of flinging his head back. You say cheats don't prosper but I think he has done in this case, Johnson.
"Then to rub it in by (acting) as if his face has been hurt. But he's conned him and unfortunately the man that's important, the linesman, has fallen for it hook, line and sinker. I think he got carried away by the occasion.
"It's disappointing, very disappointing. Because I thought we'd started to do well."
No contact
Warnock spoke to Barton about the incident after the game and the skipper assured him no contact had been made.
"I saw him and he said he didn't make any contact with him," he added.
"He put his face together with him but that's how they are, players like that. You don't expect someone to go off like Bradley Johnson did."
He added: "In the end I suppose it depends what you want from your players. I suppose they'll be delighted that they got the three points so it probably justifies what they've done.
"We can't do anything about it, we've lost the game now."
