10 months ago
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Vincent Kompany has lambasted the 'joke' decision that cost Burnley all three points at Turf Moor in their relegation six-pointer against Luton.
The Hatters snatched a last-gasp draw on Friday night to remain four points ahead of the Clarets in the fight for survival.
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But the match wasn't short of controversy as the hosts demanded a foul after goalkeeper James Trafford hit the deck in the build-up to Carlton Morris' injury-time equaliser.
The ex-Manchester City shot-stopper was blocked by Elijah Adebayo as he looked to claim a cross, leaving Morris to head home into an empty net in injury time.
VAR stepped in with replays showing clear contact from the Luton star, but they agreed with referee Tony Harrington's on-field view that the goal should stand.
And Kompany, who is under pressure following three wins in 21 top-flight matches this term, has slammed the decision which has left him 'baffled'.
Speaking to talkSPORT at how he viewed Luton's equaliser, he said: "Fair play to the striker, fair play to Luton, they're a terrific outfit, everything they did today was tough to handle.
"But in that moment, if it's going to cost us a goal, not something obvious like that, anybody that has played the game knows what's happened.
"The striker has looked over his shoulder, looked at the goalkeeper, barges into him, clears the space for his teammate, then as he's done that, he looks at the referee and sees that he gets away with it.
"None of the Luton players are celebrating - nobody! Anybody at that moment in time that has played a little bit of the game knows what's happened."
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Kompany added: "They're [officials] not doing anything about it, we're going to hear again about clear and obvious errors and all that, was it clear and obvious on the pitch for everyone? What are we doing?
"I am going against my nature here because what I'd like to do is [say] 'Well done to Luton,' give them congratulations and all the credit they deserve because they do deserve a lot of credit.
"But I'm here trying to say I'm baffled because a few weeks ago, Aston Villa away, we're forced down to ten men for two of the softest yellow cards you could ever see.
"And then after that a red card offence against them doesn't get given, we get given a penalty against us for the softest penalty you've ever seen. It just keeps happening."
A disappointed Kompany, whose side sit 19th in the table, concluded by saying: "I hate making excuses, but you have the right to speak up at times.
"What's happened here is affecting our job, it's so obvious and they have all of the time in the world - the referees, officials - all of the time in the world to come to a logical decision. We're making stuff up!
"If this is allowed every single time for every team, I'm all for it, no problem, I'll go and tell my striker and we'll work on this.
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"But to get punished not so long ago for soft fouls and then here to get leniency applied, it's cost us three points, it's a joke.
"I'm not even sensing anymore that there's logic being applied. The player is barging into the 'keeper, what more do you want?"
