Palace bid for replay rejected
The Football League have turned down a request from Crystal Palace to sanction a replay of Saturday's stormy clash between the Eagles and Bristol City.
A bitter war of words has broken out between the two clubs after referee Rob Shoebridge failed to award a goal to Palace striker Freddie Sears, even though his shot clearly bounced out of the back of the net before City went on to record a 1-0 win.
"The Football League cannot sanction the replaying of this fixture," said its chief operating officer Andy Williamson.
The refusal of Bristol City's players, or their manager Gary Johnson, to alert the official to his error prompted Palace chairman Simon Jordan to brand them as cheats, while manager Neil Warnock has been equally stinging in his criticism.
Jordan and Warnock have put since forward their claim for the game to be replayed but, as was expected, the Football League have ruled out that option.
"In any match, the referee's decision must be final, even in a case such as this where there has been an error of judgment," added Williamson.
"To do otherwise would be contrary to the laws of the game."
