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Premier League: FA seeks answers from Swansea boss Garry Monk over post-match criticism of referees

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Garry Monk says he stands by his comments made about referee Michael Oliver and Victor Moses after Swansea's defeat at Stoke

The FA has contacted Swansea manager Garry Monk to seek his observations in relation to post-match media comments he made at Stoke.

Monk branded referee Michael Oliver’s decision to award Stoke a penalty “a disgrace” after it appeared Victor Moses had dived, before criticising the head of Premier League referees Mike Riley.

The Swans boss said he had attempted to contact Riley several times over a number of decisions that have gone against his side this season, without reply, and described it as a “very worrying” situation.

The Premier League has since confirmed that Professional Game Match Officials Limited, headed by Riley, had “received contact from Monk on Monday morning” and that “Mike (Riley) will no doubt be speaking to Garry this week".

I spoke about how I felt at the time in terms of Victor Moses and the situation and everyone will have their own judgements.
Garry Monk

But Monk could face possible FA action over his comments, which Stoke assistant manager Mark Bowen subsequently said were “out of order.”

And speaking on Thursday, Monk said: "I'm happy to give them observations and I will do that. What I'll say will be between me and authorities but I will speak honestly about how I felt at the time and what I said.

"They'll want to go over it and go through correct procedures, which is fine, but I stand by my comments because it was plain to see for everyone.

"I spoke about how I felt at the time in terms of Victor Moses and the situation and everyone will have their own judgements.

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"But it was clear for me to see and I stand by my comments."

Monk also denied making a direct approach to Riley regarding his list of questionable decisions, and he hopes to receive a reply from PGMOL in due course.

"I didn't approach Mike Riley," Monk added. "I've spoken about my feelings for a while over the way my team were being penalised in certain situations which were very unfair.

"My job isn't to contact Mike Riley but I'd spoken to a number of referees and I was disappointed I'd had no contact from him after expressing the fears and concerns I had.

"I sent those observations away to John Williams, who is the chairman of the referees' organisation, to what I saw as the truth.

"They've contacted me to say they've received the DVD and letter and they'll be getting back to me in due course.

"It's in hand and hopefully sooner rather than later we'll have a reply."

A number of managers from across the football leagues have become increasingly dismayed at worsening relationships with match officials.

Brentford boss Mark Warburton recently called for improvements to be made to post-match discussions between managers and referees, which he said were loaded in favour of managers, who are equipped with replays and instant technical analysis.

Swansea host Leicester City live on Saturday Night Football on Sky Sports 1HD from 4.45pm, while Stoke travel to Southampton.

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