Burnley Clash Refereed by Woolmer

Andy Woolmer of Northamptonshire will referee the R`s fixture on Saturday against Burnley at Loftus Road.

The 40 year old official is still cutting his teeth on the refereeing circuit after only being a professional referee for five years, but has already caused controversy in the Championship, infuriating Cardiff City manager Dave Jones to the extent that he requested Woolmer never referee a Bluebirds fixture again.

The incident occurred back in February 2006 when he denied Jason Koumas a penalty after he was brought down by Luton Town`s Kevin Nicholls in a game which ended 3-3.

Jones stated:

'I don't think we should have that referee again.

'People make mistakes but I don't count that as a mistake, I count that as a decision not being made - it was probably easier not to make it.

'I've already sent my report in - we have an assessment that we have to send in - and I'll also be asking Cardiff City to send a letter requesting that we don't have him again.'

He has refereed Cardiff only once since the incident in their 1-0 win over Sheffield Wednesday, but in the season previous he refereed the R`s for his one and only time to date.

In a fixture also against Sheffield Wednesday the R`s were a team looking to avoid the drop under the guidance of then boss John Gregory.

Rangers went one down courtesy of Chris Brunt stabbing the ball home from close range, it hardly graced the occasion where the R`s were celebrating the anniversary of their league cup victory.

Rangers then hit back courtesy of a Martin Rowlands spot kick, with Marc Nygaard being tugged in the box. Mr Woolmer produced his yellow card seven times in the fixture, booking Adam Bolder, Lee Cook and Martin Rowlands for the R`s.

Mr Woolmer has officiated 14 games thus far this season, handing out 31 yellow cards and three reds, averaging 2.2 cards per fixture.

He recently sent off two players in Millwall`s 1-0 win over Hereford United courtesy of a late goal from Lewis Grabban. The game will mark Mr Woolmer`s fifth Championship test of the campaign.

Mr Woolmer & Queens Park Rangers

QPR 1-1 Sheffield Wednesday - 10th March 2007.
Goals: Martin Rowlands 72pen; Chris Brunt 56.
Booked: Adam Bolder, Lee Cook, Martin Rowlands; Frankie Simek, Tommy Spurr, Steve Watson, Richard Wood.

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