Town boss Paul Jewell has hit out at claims that his post-match comments at Birmingham last night were sexist. The Blues manager was unhappy with assistant referee Amy Fearn, believing she should have awarded his side a second half penalty but says his criticism was taken out of context by some media sources.

In a statement to the club website, Jewell said: "I absolutely refute suggestions that my comments were made in a sexist way.

"The opening line from a journalist at the start of the press conference was 'I think everyone to a man thought that was a penalty' and I responded by saying 'but not to a woman', meaning the official that was on that side and didn't give the decision.

"I didn't suggest in any way that the official made a mistake because she was a woman. I don't think what I said was sexist and will argue all day long with anyone that says it is."

Jewell explained his subsequent comment 'I thought the lineswoman, or whatever she is called' by adding: "I have said that a hundred times before about linesmen. It's just a reference to the officials who run the line now being known as assistant referees.

"I have listened to the tape recording of the press conference and I've no problems with what I said. The comments have been taken out of context, which is disappointing but that seems to be the world we live in now.

Listen to the comments here

"I'm not expecting any comeback from the authorities and would be disappointed if there are but if that arrives, I will defend it vehemently and will have the full support of the club in doing that."

However, Alan Leighton, national secretary of Prospect, the referees' trades union, disagrees with Jewell's view: “These comments are clearly sexist and there’s no place for them in football.

“They show that women are not fully accepted within the game at the present time. It puts unbearable pressure on female assistants and referees who are aware that every time they step on to the pitch they are under special scrutiny.

“That isn’t going to be something that’s going to attract women to the game and that’s why people do need to take a view that they’re not going to make foolish, sexist comments.”

Photo: Action Images

Tiggs added 13:19 - Jan 12 How can people still back a manager with a 50% loss ratio? I am amazed...... Oh, and Roy Keane's was 34.5% and he got the bullet.
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DiamondGezzer added 13:19 - Jan 12 P.S. They should be made to retract the story, with an apology.
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footballfriend added 13:21 - Jan 12 LEAVE .... NOW...!!!!!
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newboy added 13:26 - Jan 12 He asked for all he is getting the minute he made the differentiation ' to every man' it was always going to be a sexism row as I said before maybe she is to blame for the other 24 games he has lost too maybe his 49% lose rate is not all his fault . Time to move on with another manager who can do the job!!!!!!!!!!
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Strikes added 13:27 - Jan 12 Oh dear, I fear this may be all the excuse that Mr Evans needs to renounce his public backing of Jewell and do the deed. And all because an assistant referee didn't have the balls to give a clear penalty.
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dommyboyblue added 13:29 - Jan 12 Don't care - just want us to sign some defenders, please. It is surely not much to ask for? I'd take anyone, is that Magnus guy from Col any good? His contract is up in the summer, to be honest could he be worse than what we have?
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SouperJim added 13:35 - Jan 12 Alan Leighton's comments are hilarious, what a fantastic example of reverse sexism! Will he be given a fine and made to apologise?
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Cheshire_Blue added 13:37 - Jan 12 Perhaps she thought Lee Martin was offside!!
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ElvisMariner added 13:40 - Jan 12 its absolutely ridiculous to suggest PJ's remarks were sexist - this country is PC mad at times.
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TommyB added 13:47 - Jan 12 Even if comments have been taken out of context, I have had enough of PJ. I don't want to see my club in League 1. It would cripple the club. Time for a change. Things are not working. Curbs is a good shout.
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MarkITFC added 13:49 - Jan 12 Agree with PJ , just sad people trying to cause problems
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legoman added 13:51 - Jan 12 The journalist new EXACTLY what he was saying and doing, nod nod wink wink.
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Bleedingblue added 13:52 - Jan 12 What a fuss over nothing. More concerned about the defence than this rubbish. Last night sums up our season nicely :(
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bluelady added 13:53 - Jan 12 As a woman who believes totally in equality I am fully behind jewell on this, the press nearly as bad as football agents, all worms making a fortune from others!!!!
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Bleedingblue added 13:59 - Jan 12 ^^ Well said!
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alfromcol added 14:00 - Jan 12 Southamptonblue Thanks. Not a lot of people know that
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bizman added 14:02 - Jan 12 I REPEAT -JUST SHUT UP AND SIGN 5 TOP QUALITY PLAYERS (2 XCB) PERMANENTLY YOU SEXIST MAAAAD LIL......!
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nysully added 14:02 - Jan 12 Of course it was taken out of context, that being said it was still a stupid thing to say and a reflection on the pressure he and his players have put him under. He should not be relieved of his duties for this reason, there are plenty of other reason, Jewell and Clegg have had their fair shake at this, time to move on.
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buryblue77 added 14:04 - Jan 12 Thing is, had she got the decision correct we would have probably won that game last night, scored the penalty, they'd have kicked off and there would have been a different passage of play and they may not have scored the second. Come on PJ, I don't want you to fail but you will have to go if results don't improve. Just prove all the doubters wrong, keep us up this year and build on it next. We WILL win 3-0 on Sat by the way!!!

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alfromcol added 14:05 - Jan 12 On the wider issue of officials, of whatever sex, making wrong decisions. Isn't it time that the old MEN of FIFA accepted that modern technology has a place in the modern game. Referrals to third officials, TV replay etc. like in other sports. There is too much at stake in the modern game to leave it to the instant judgement of the official on the field?
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fifeblue added 14:39 - Jan 12 Academic. We lose Saturday and he's out anyway.
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nitroblue1970 added 14:41 - Jan 12 Apparantly the lino in question had a spotless uniform with nicely pressed creases down the shorts.....PJ reckons all his best mates in football are all birds!..non sexist non story!..laughable really...like our defence currently
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Karlosfandangal added 14:46 - Jan 12 Love the way it good old Pj on this report and hang him high on the next report. Excellent
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oldbri added 14:49 - Jan 12 I listened to the audio very carefully and have come to the conclusion that the vast majority of complainents do not understand the English language.Paul said the lineswoman,or whatever she is called.She could have been called the female assistant referee or assistant refereee or numerous other things so what is all the fuss about.The really dangerous thing that worries me is that nowadays,the average person is frightened of of using certain words or phrases because other self interest groups try to frighten people against free speech.I do not know what to call people of dark skin because every word you use is considered racist.What do you call someone who has a sexual preference of their own sex,without offending someone.I can go on and on.My myself have been called lots of things but like most grown up adults ,dont go crying to referees or law makers or enforcers,I just ignore it.Minorities and self interest groups have all the rights.Ordinary people just better mind their language or else.By the way,the female lineswoman,assistant female referee or woman that runs the line ,needs glasses or a backbone.This is a case of no news,lets make some.

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Sindre94 added 14:56 - Jan 12 I back you Paul, as a manager and in this case. IN JEWELL WE TRUST
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