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James Bittner, who has joined Hereford United today, used to keep goal for Exeter City. On January 1st 2004 he was sent off in a Conference game against Hereford. However the red card was later rescinded.
Exeter City goalkeeper James Bittner has hit out at referee Mr. Chapman, who sent him off in yesterday's game against Hereford United at St. James' Park.
Bittner was red-carded for a deliberate handball outside the penalty box, but he responded by rubbishing the decision.
He told BBC Radio Devon: "It's a joke - I was a yard inside the area. The ball was definitely inside. It's been costly for us."
"All the Hereford players were telling the referee it hadn't gone outside the box but he went ahead and made a decision that changed the entire match," he continued in the Express & Echo. "It ruined it for the fans as well. I was in disbelief when he showed me the red card. Obviously, I will appeal because this is a huge blow for me personally and the team. I thought the red card on Boxing Day was harsh but this is ten times worse. I still can't quite believe it happened."
City manager Eamonn Dolan added: "You can accept one key decision going against you, but every one in the game is hard to stomach. But you can't ask any more from our players."
"He must be a Hereford fan. It's the only logical explanation and that is my true feeling on it all.
"We try to leave referees alone and that is what you get. I am just dumbfounded. This is a devastating blow and one that is hard to stomach."
Bittner left the field to an ovation, and one of those applauding him was United stopper Matt Baker. "I don't know if he handled it outside or not but that surely cannot be a sending off offence," he said. "The officials seem to want to hammer goalkeepers and this decision was particularly harsh. But James is big enough to get over this disappointment."
Bittner was red-carded for a deliberate handball outside the penalty box, but he responded by rubbishing the decision.
He told BBC Radio Devon: "It's a joke - I was a yard inside the area. The ball was definitely inside. It's been costly for us."
"All the Hereford players were telling the referee it hadn't gone outside the box but he went ahead and made a decision that changed the entire match," he continued in the Express & Echo. "It ruined it for the fans as well. I was in disbelief when he showed me the red card. Obviously, I will appeal because this is a huge blow for me personally and the team. I thought the red card on Boxing Day was harsh but this is ten times worse. I still can't quite believe it happened."
City manager Eamonn Dolan added: "You can accept one key decision going against you, but every one in the game is hard to stomach. But you can't ask any more from our players."
"He must be a Hereford fan. It's the only logical explanation and that is my true feeling on it all.
"We try to leave referees alone and that is what you get. I am just dumbfounded. This is a devastating blow and one that is hard to stomach."
Bittner left the field to an ovation, and one of those applauding him was United stopper Matt Baker. "I don't know if he handled it outside or not but that surely cannot be a sending off offence," he said. "The officials seem to want to hammer goalkeepers and this decision was particularly harsh. But James is big enough to get over this disappointment."
