Three sent off as referee loses control

Last updated : 02 November 2005 By Neil Andrews
Ben May
May: Sent off at half-time
Millwall saw their seven game unbeaten run away from home come to end last night after referee Richard Beeby sent off Ben May and Jody Morris, before showing a red card to goalkeeper Andy Marshall after the game.

The Lions had been leading 1-0 after Jermaine Wright opened the scoring in the first minute but it all started to go wrong for Colin Lee's men at half-time when May was dismissed during the interval for an alleged racist comment.

Beeby claimed that he heard the striker direct a comment towards Burnley skipper Frank Sinclair but neither Sinclair nor his manager, Steve Cotterill, heard the remark.

"The ref has sent off Ben May for racially abusing Frank Sinclair," Lee confirmed after the game.

"We deny that, Frank Sinclair denies it, Steve Cotterill denies it. Of 30 people in the tunnel there was one person who heard my player verbally abuse Frank Sinclair."

"The lad's in bits in there," Lee continued. "For some unknown reason, the ref thinks he heard him say that. We have witnesses who say otherwise.

"I think I'm right - no, I know I'm right. Ben did say something to Frank but it wasn't racism."

"It's something that's totally and utterly unacceptable."

The Lions will appeal the dismissal and expect to receive support from Clarets' boss Cotterill.

"Frank said he hasn't heard anything", revealed Cotterill. "If he (May) does appeal against it, that's fine. If Frank wants to put together a letter, that's fine."

Midfielder Jody Morris was later sent off along with Burnley's James O'Conner following a nasty challenge and keeper Andy Marshall was given a red card after the final whistle when the remaining nine players surrounded the ref to show this displeasure with his handling of the game.

"I've never been involved in a football match like this in my life", said Lee.

"I must admit I sat in there and thought 'is it all worth it?' because I've never experienced anything like that."