Reading manager Nigel Adkins has jumped to the defence of Pavel Pogrebnyak following his red card in this afternoon's goalless draw at Brighton & Hove Albion.
The Royals were reduced to 10 men when referee Graham Scott gave the Russian a second yellow card for simulation in the 31st minute at the Madejski Stadium.
"I didn't think it was a dive, it's a clear foul," PA quotes the 48-year-old as saying. "I have to be careful what I say as a lot of managers are getting fined at the moment.
"That referee has sent a lot of players off this season, we highlighted that before the game.
"You feel for Pavel. He's had a tough time and I tried to give him an opportunity, a fresh start, and for him to get sent off for two bookings gives us a challenge going down to 10 men."
Scott also incurred the wrath of Crystal Palace boss Ian Holloway last season.
No Data Analysis info
Germany
Switzerland
Hungary
Scotland
Spain
Italy
Croatia
Albania
England
Denmark
Slovenia
Serbia
Austria
France
Netherlands
Poland
Romania
Belgium
Slovakia
Ukraine
Portugal
Turkey
Georgia
Czech Republic