Premier League - Kinnear sorry for 'Mouse' rant

Eurosport - Thu, 13 Nov 15:49:00 2008

Newcastle's interim manager Joe Kinnear is to apologise to Martin Atkinson for labelling him a "Mickey Mouse" referee following the Magpies' defeat to Fulham at the weekend.

FOOTBALL 2008-2009 Premier League Newcastle United Joe Kinnear - 0

Kinnear was incensed by Atkinson's failure to give his side a free-kick in the build up to the Cottagers' winner and left the Yorkshire official in no doubt as to his feelings during a post-match interview.

But having been asked to explain his comments to the FA - and with the threat of sanctions hanging over his head - Kinnear has shown contrition for his rant.

"I am sorry if my post-match comments at Fulham caused any offence and I will ring Martin Atkinson in person to tell him," Kinnear told the Newcastle Chronicle.

"I have accepted that some of my comments at Craven Cottage on Sunday were inappropriate and I will be calling Martin Atkinson to say that."

Kinnear, 61, added: "When I spoke to the media on Sunday I was deeply frustrated about losing a game I felt we were in a strong position to win.

"I said at the time I had no complaints about the foul by Fabricio Coloccini on Andy Johnson which brought Fulham their match-winning penalty.

"But I have watched the build-up to that goal and I felt we should have been awarded a free-kick seconds earlier for a foul by Andy Johnson on Claudio Cacapa."

The FA will make a decision on whether to punish the outspoken manager next week.

Kinnear is no stranger to controversy and began his reign at Newcastle with a touchline ban hanging over his head from his time in charge at Nottingham Forest, when he called another referee 'Coco the Clown'.

He also had a run in with the FA earlier this season when he filled a press conference at Newcastle's training ground with expletives, prompting a warning as to his future conduct.

Mike Hytner / Eurosport

Comment 1 - 15 of 15

Sort comments by: Most recent

  1. what can i say, GO JOE, the problem with football today is no one speeks there minds anymore,
    (all scared of the FA) as for being a bunch of thugs, grow up mate, i think i speak for all our fans when i say, watch out, well see who's going down,

    From Leyton D, on Sat 15 Nov 9:47AM

  2. bye bye newcastle your going down.ya just a bunch of thugs.

    From alan, on Fri 14 Nov 8:34PM

  3. He should not have appologised, he was 100% right.
    The ref`s think they are above criticism, just ask Fergy ha, ha, ha, ha.

    From Bobby Robson A Legend, on Fri 14 Nov 5:09PM

  4. I am a sexy big black beauty, I feel lonely, What I really need is some new friends, Feel free to chat with me on ******* WEALTHY finder Co m ***** for hot guys and girls to flirt with each other

    From sexymggg, on Fri 14 Nov 1:36AM

  5. I would have thought Donald Duck would have been more appropriate from old Joe

    From taff, on Thu 13 Nov 10:24PM

  6. Joe, you were a Mickey Mouse of a player and are a Coco the clown of a coach. Sorry if that causes any offense, mate. I'll be sure to ring you directly if it does.

    From Soccer kid, on Thu 13 Nov 9:52PM

  7. I believe sunderland will be ok this season they have decent players give the manager a chance. by the way ncle utd supporter.

    From John L, on Thu 13 Nov 9:51PM

  8. Alan smith Shame On you,,Leave Fay ALONE or your Mobile number is being posted

    From To0n, on Thu 13 Nov 5:29PM

  9. Joe, why apologise?
    What you said was correct; the ref was useless in that game, for BOTH sides.
    As for comment-1!
    How many of those superb players would get a game at any other Premier League club apart from blunderland?
    Answer = NONE!

    From cameron w, on Thu 13 Nov 5:12PM

  10. a poor workman always blames his tools

    From STEVE B, on Thu 13 Nov 4:29PM

  11. Kinnear speaks his mind good on him, the players trust an honest manager. It's ashame the rest of them don't take a leaf out of his book.

    From , on Thu 13 Nov 4:27PM

  12. Chopra plays for Cardifff City!!!

    From rob.borley, on Thu 13 Nov 4:26PM

  13. no they are @#$%

    From nicholasbnjmn, on Thu 13 Nov 4:06PM

  14. All the below are the superb players who shall be relegated at th end of the season.

    From James, on Thu 13 Nov 4:05PM

  15. Kenwyne Jones is the superb player in Sunderland
    Djilbril Cisse is the superb player in Sunderland
    Michael Chopra is the superb player in Sunderland
    Andy Reid is the superb player in Sunderland
    Kieran Richardson is the superb player in Sunderland
    Craig Gordon is the superb player in Sunderland

    From SaMiR NaSRi, on Thu 13 Nov 3:50PM
Sort comments by: Most recent

Not already a Yahoo! user ? to get a free Yahoo! Account