Warburton ‘bemused’ by decisions in QPR defeat

QPR boss Mark Warburton


Mark Warburton was incensed by referee Keith Stroud’s decision to award the free-kick which led to the goal in QPR’s 1-0 defeat at home to Bournemouth.

After Sam Field was adjudged to have fouled Jerferson Lerma, the ball was swung in from the left by Junior Stanislas and Dominic Solanke flicked a header beyond keeper Seny Dieng and into the far corner of the net.

Rangers ended the match with 10 men after Andre Dozzell was sent off in stoppage time.


After Solanke had tangled with Yoann Barbet, players from both sides became embroiled in a melee and Dozzell’s involvement led to him being given a second yellow card.

“I’ve just got to question the obvious decision-making process,” said Rangers boss Warburton.

“I’ve got to be very careful what I say. But I’m just bemused by decisions. I’m amazed.

“There are fine margins in the Championship and that was the defining moment in the game.

“Should we have defended it better? Absolutely. We should have had first contact on the header. Was it a free-kick? How? I’ve just seen it again. How?

“Sam goes down and somehow he gives a free-kick and it’s a yellow card. I’m just totally bemused by it. Please explain.

“I saw decisions all afternoon. I appreciate the difficulty of the game. I appreciate how instantaneous their decision-making has to be. But I’ve got to question many things.

“We end up with young Andre Dozzell getting sent off which, again, I’m bemused about.

“I’ve got to see it again to try and understand it. He’s raging in the dressing room.”

Dozzell replaced Ilias Chair, who was withdrawn at half-time after suffering a knock.

“We’ll see how Ilias is in the morning,” said Warburton.

“He got a kick early in the game, had treatment and thought he was OK. But we’ve just got to see.”

Warburton added that he waited until 20 minutes from time to send on Albert Adomah because he wanted to “ease him in” following his injury lay-off in order for him to be available for Thursday’s game at Bristol City.