Forest Green boss Mark Cooper furious with referee after calling off game

Posted Sunday, December 16, 2018 by PA

Forest Green boss Mark Cooper was not happy with referee James Linington after the League Two game against Mansfield was called off at half-time due to a waterlogged pitch.

With the scores locked at 0-0, Linington made the decision to abandon proceedings at the New Lawn following a torrent of rain.

Cooper insisted: “The right decision would have been to not start the game.

“We told the referee the forecast that it would be a monsoon of Mongolian proportions but he chose not to listen to that.

“Then he chose to call the game off when it stopped raining.

“They just don’t do themselves any favours. Instead of saying ‘I tell you what, let’s wait 15-20 minutes, to see if it stops raining’ he said ‘No, I am calling it off now’.

“He couldn’t wait to get back in his little warm room and put his feet on top of the heater. That is the level.

“It is not like Michael Fish in 1975 telling you there is going to be rain but there is a one per-cent chance. We are talking about millions being spent on forecasts.

“They know there was going to be rain and it was supposed to get heavier at three o’clock, which it did. Just don’t play it.

“He’s played 45 minutes, knackered the pitch up and it cocks everything up. The fans come. It’s half a game, it’s an absolute shambles.”

Meanwhile, Mansfield boss David Flitcroft felt the referee made the right decision.

“We’re trying to get three points, and at 0-0 he’s [referee] made the right call,” he said.

“The worst thing is if someone goes 1-0 up. Morally, he’s done the right thing to call it off.

“They gave the game the best chance to go ahead. We have a duty of care. I’m gutted that the fans have come down here and spent their money but we have to protect people.

“Sometimes you can’t blame anyone. We have no control of the weather.”