Shock Kyle Naughton sending off appealed as Swansea pursue 'out of depth' referee protest

SWANSEA have appealed Kyle Naughton's red card against Sunderland - and could yet make an official complaint against blundering referee Graham Scott.

 

Kyle Naughton has started 15 of Swansea's 21 Premier League games this season

 

Oxfordshire official Scott got four key decisions wrong as Jermain Defoe's hat-trick boosted Sunderland's survival hopes with a 4-2 win that increased Swansea's own relegation fears.

Scott, who was taking charge of just his fourth Premier League fixture as a late replacement for the ill Andre Marriner, made a string of mistakes in a crucial fixture that could yet play a part in the battle for safety.

Two of Defoe's goals were offside, while Swansea were awarded a penalty when Andre Ayew tripped over his own feet and Naughton was wrongly sent off for a challenge on Yann M'Vila.

Naughton faces a three-match ban but Swansea have quickly moved to appeal the decision, which was lodged with the Football Association yesterday [Thurs].

 

The Swans also have the option of making a complaint to the Professional Game Match Officials Board over Scott's handling of the game.

Both managers were left bemused by the performance of the 47-year-old who, until Monday, had been due to be the fourth official at the Liberty Stadium and questioned why he was handed a game of such importance when there was a 48-hour window to bring in a more experienced referee.

"I had a couple of discussions with Sam on the touchline and he felt the same that decisions were going against both teams," said Swansea boss Alan Curtis, who may find himself in hot water after describing Scott as "out of his depth" and his performance as one of the worst he had seen.

"It is difficult but we are talking about the Premier League and the appointment of referees is crucial when you have a game with two teams at the bottom end of the table."

 

Sam Allardyce, meanwhile, had some sympathy for Scott, but felt the pressure of the occasion had got to the official.

"He only stepped in because the referee who was supposed to referee the game was ill," said the Sunderland manager.

"In his defence before the game he pointed out he knew how big this game was for both of us and I'll try and manage it the best way I can.

"But things happen under pressure and when people are under pressure they make mistakes."