Kitson Contests Arsenal Yellow Card

Dave Kitson has spoken out against the referee who gave him a yellow card in the match against Arsenal at the weekend.

Kitson, who was cautioned, in his first league start for Reading since the season opener against Boro was fuming after seeing the challenge again.

Kitson was put in the referee`s book following a clash with Arsenal`s Denilson.

The Reading striker feels unfairly treated because he feels Denilson could have broke his leg but did not even receive a warning.

‘I have slid in with my long legs and won the ball fair and square.” Kitson remarked.

‘I did not realise at the time, but Denilson has jumped in on me with two feet – and I have the scars to prove it.

‘If my foot had been planted, I would have broken my leg – and yet I have been booked for it.’

Meanwhile Kitson also called for Chris Foy, the matches official to review his yellow card decision:

‘I have seen it again and I invite the referee to watch it again and rescind the yellow card,’ he said. ‘Even [Cesc] Fabregas looked at me to say it was not even a foul, let alone a yellow card.’

Kitson went on to talk about the consequences of the literal Carling Cup clash that involved Arsenal on Sunday 25th of February. It is Kits` belief that comments made by Arsene Wenger in the week contributed to the referee`s decisions – in essence making him biased towards Arsenal – a view which is shared by members on our own Vital network.
‘It was painfully clear that whenever we made a bit of ground, the referee was going to pull it up and give a decision for Arsenal,’

‘I thought what Arsene [Wenger] said during the week had a direct effect on the game, from the officials point of view.
‘He played a masterstroke, saying what he did before the game, because the officials gave us absolutely nothing. It does not help because if the referee is not on your side, then you have no chance.’

And peculiarly, the quiet boss of Reading, Steve Coppell was also open with criticism of Wenger`s approach, although in the most polite way!

‘I thought the referee had a terrific game – but in general there is so much politicking going on among the big teams, he says one thing and then another guy says something else. We are newcomers to the whole thing and it can be a bit bemusing.

‘What Arsene did was a party political broadcast. There are some very good teachers when it comes to using the media for your own advantage.’

‘Perhaps we are a soft target for officials sometimes because I sit up in the stand rather than stand in the dug-out – but I am not going to change.

‘I just do not want to be influenced by what other people are doing, although on occasion I do feel that if you do not rant and pressurise the officials, you will miss out.

‘Sometimes I complain in private, but not very often. Whatever is said gets magnified – especially with the big boys.’