Hull City boss slams 'shocking' refereeing in verdict on Sunderland draw

Grant McCann blasted the standard of refereeing as his side drew 2-2 with Sunderland on Tuesday night.

The Hull City boss claimed that Charlie Wyke should have been sent off in the first half for an alleged elbow on defender Jacob Greaves, a foul for which he was shown a yellow card.

McCann also said it was a 'shocking' decision to penalise Callum Elder for a handball, which allowed Sunderland to retake their lead through a Grant Leadbitter penalty.

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"The second one goal is shocking, really,” McCann said.

Grant Leadbitter scores a penalty at the KCOM Stadium
Grant Leadbitter scores a penalty at the KCOM Stadium
Grant Leadbitter scores a penalty at the KCOM Stadium

“How the linesman can give a penalty when your hands are in a natural position and the player is about a yard away from you.

“We’ve been given penalties against this season for hands being raised and I’ve said that’s the rules, tonight we’ve been given a penalty against us when the hand is in a natural position, Callum can do nothing with his hands when Gooch hits the ball against him.”

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"I feel as if we’ve been let down a bit tonight, and the elbow from Charlie Wyke on Jacob Greaves,” he added.

“His eye is in a terrible state at the minute.

"In the second half there’s another elbow from Luke O’Nien on Josh Magennis that he gives a free-kick for but doesn’t book him and then a minute later O’Nien brings down Docherty when he’s clean through.

“That could have been a red card for him.

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“I think the game tonight was ruined a little bit by the officials, because for me that was the best two teams in the league playing – I think Lee Johnson would agree with me – I’m not one for criticising referees, but I thought they ruined the game for us tonight.

“I’ve seen it back and it’s a blatant elbow, we’ve seen it back three or four times and it’s a nasty one, it really is.”

The result Hull's 11-point advantage over Sunderland.

Lincoln City are now also 11 points behind McCann's side in fourth after their 1-0 win over Burton Albion, but they have played a game less.

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McCann's side look almost certain to seal an immediate return to the Championship.

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