Everton captain Jagielka stands by ‘arrogant’ accusation

Scott Anderson
Phil Jagielka: Still wanted at Everton

Phil Jagielka: Still wanted at Everton

Everton captain Phil Jagielka says he stands by the “arrogant” accusation he made against referee Martin Atkinson as he prepares to meet the official again this weekend.

Atkinson will take charge of the Toffees’ FA Cup fifth-round tie at Bournemouth this weekend, but has recent history with the club after last month’s controversial Capital One Cup semi-final with Manchester City.

Officials failed to spot the ball had gone out of play before Raheem Sterling crossed for City’s second goal and Jagielka’s complaints, he claims, were met by a sarcastic comment from the referee.

Jagielka, who labelled Atkinson “a little bit arrogant” in his attitude after the game, will now come face-to-face with the official this weekend.

Speaking to the Liverpool Echo, Jagielka said: “There is nothing much we can do, is there?”

“We’ve had him before and we’ll have him again.

“I stick by the things I said, especially in a semi-final game, but we’ll get on with it, shake hands and deal with the day.

“He’s been a good ref over the years but I said what I felt after the game and, to be honest, I did well to probably hold most of my emotions back.

“Everyone makes bad decisions but you have got to look at the context of the game.

“You have got to look at scorelines and you have got to adapt your mannerisms throughout the game.

“If someone is going to shout and bawl at you, by all means don’t speak to them, but in the big games when things are on the line you have got to show the respect both ways.

“If he thinks I’ve over-stepped the line then pull me to the side and say ‘That’s it’, that is fair enough.

“But it’s difficult when you go out there and within two or three minutes of the game you’re at that stage already, where you’ve not said or done anything, and some officials are like that.

“Whether you’ve got their back up from previous games, I don’t know, but it is a difficult one.”