Following his team’s 1-0 FA Cup third round replay loss to Manchester United, West Ham coach Sam Allardyce was furious with referee Phil Dowd, whom hesuggested gave the home team favorable treatment when it came to penalty decisions. United striker Wayne Rooney scored the only goal of the game early on, but also missed a penalty 10minutes from time after West Ham defender Jordan Spence handled the ball in the area.
Allardyce was furious that West Ham was not also given a penalty earlier in thesecond half when United defender Rafael also handled the ball in the area. “There’s no doubt about the difference between Rafael’s handball and Jordan Spence’s,” he said. “Spenceplays for West Ham and the away team, while Rafael plays for the home side at Old Trafford.”
He continued: “With Rafael, the ball hits his hand but no penalty is given. With JordanSpence, the ball hits his hand and it’s a penalty. “Phil Dowd was in the perfect position. Straight in line and right in front of it. But you see it time and time again at Old Trafford. The refdid not see Rafael’s handball because of his position. But he was in a worse position to see Jordan Spence’s than Rafael’s.”