Bruce Escapes FA Punishment

Steve Bruce launched a scathing attack on referee rookie Anthony Taylor over the weekend as his display was seen to have cost Sunderland their first win of the new campaign.

The Sunderland gaffer said about Taylor as he officiated the Birmingham draw:

'The ref was totally inadequate,' Bruce said. 'I believe he's only been refereeing four years so that is a huge decision to promote him to the Premier League. For me he wasn't ready for it.

'The last thing I want to do is criticise a young lad trying to make his way in the game but he was absolutely awful.

'I am sure the Premier League have looked at it and thought it's Sunderland versus Birmingham, we will throw him in, it's not important, it doesn't matter.' I'm sure he wouldn't have been refereeing Man United, Arsenal or Chelsea on his third appearance.

'I'm all for bringing people in if they are good enough and they are ready. But on this evidence that kid wasn't ready for the Premier League. He was out of his depth, on all the major decisions.'


Taylor was poor throughout the game and harshly yellow carded Cattermole for 'kicking the ball away' even though it looked very harsh for a booking.

Bruce will need to be more careful in his post match interviews as one game into the season is not the best time to attack a referee.

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