Sam Allardyce slams referee’s double standards for manager celebrations

Former England, Crystal Palace and Everton manager Sam Allardyce has said that the Premier League referees should be 'embarrassed' for their double standards regarding manager celebrations.

Wolves manager Nuno Espirito Santo was sent off by official Chris Kavanagh following Diogo Jota's injury-time winner in the Wanderers' 4-3 win over Leicester City on Saturday. Santo was sent to the stands and will more than likely face disciplinary action from the FA on Monday, however, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp and Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola both escaped dismissals following their side's respective wins over Everton and Southampton.

"The Premier League referees, it's just embarrassing isn't it," Allardyce said on Goals on Sunday. "You've got your technical area and you're not supposed to go out of it. You're constantly reminded by the fourth official not to go out of it - 'Sam, Sam get back in your box' - the referee is not upholding the same regulations to certain managers for me on a consistent basis so it seems to depend on who you are, let's put it that way. "You can't leave your technical area. Does that mean you get sent to the stand or does that mean you get reported?"

Klopp subsequently accepted a Football Association charge for his celebration against Everton and was fined £8,000, claiming: "That's what rules are for. I couldn't avoid it." Meanwhile, Guardiola escaped both an in-game dismissal and a fine after coming onto the pitch to celebrate his side's injury-time winner over Southampton last season.