Sheffield United manager Kevin Blackwell is adamant referees must earn the respect of players in the wake of his side's defeat at Preston.Blackwell was left furious after Saturday's 3-1 defeat which all but ended United's play-off ambitions, with referee Clive Oliver the target of his anger.

The Blades also had defender Chris Morgan sent off at Deepdale.

"Respect isn't a given in life, you have to earn it," Blackwell told the Sheffield Star.

"I have to be very careful what I say but I demanded to have the pleasure of speaking to the referee.

"I have to say to the players that they've got to give respect to referees, but how can people give respect when they keep seeing injustices?"

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