Birmingham City fans ended up getting told off during their protest while Lee Bowyer risks a punishment over his post-match comments.
Sheffield United boosted their Championship playoff hopes as they came from behind to beat the Blues 2-1 at St Andrew’s in a game that saw the home fans express their frustration.
Lyle Taylor grabbed his second goal since joining on loan from Nottingham Forest, breaking the deadlock in the second half before the Blades turned the scoreline around thanks to goals from Billy Sharp and Jayden Bogle.
At one point during the game however, an announcement made over the tannoy told fans not to blow whistles, the Birmingham faithful make their feelings known over the handling of the club, with sections of fans wearing masks as part of their ‘faceless’ protest and blowing whistles in the opening 10 minutes.
Lee Bowyer was incredibly critical of the officials after his Birmingham City side were beaten 2-1 by Sheffield United.
He was angered by the Blades’ second goal as Billy Sharp strayed offside and prevented Neil Etheridge from making an effective clearance.
The keeper had to head rather than kick the ball clear allowing the visitors to produce a superb move that ended with Jayden Bogle scoring the winner with 15 minutes to go.
Bowyer insisted in his interview after the game that Sharp should have been whistled and play stopped.
“Billy Sharp was offside and then he is trying to get on to the ball that has been clipped over the top, by him chasing the goalkeeper down he is interfering,” Bowyer said.
“They say if he just stepped aside and let’s the goalkeeper do what he wants he is not interfering.”
“Neil couldn’t take a touch and clear it, he [Sharp] is five yards away from him by the time he makes contact. If he wasn’t he could have controlled it and cleared it.
“The rules change every bloody game. That’s why I am upset and disappointed because my players deserved more. We pushed a very good Sheffield United team, I don’t think there was much in the game first half, nip and tuck.
“They started better than us second but then we started to get on top, ask more questions of them and then we scored and on top again, nearly score again.
“If I have got one complaint from tonight it’s the first goal, you play that diamond, that’s your strength through the middle of the pitch and that’s where they score from, they went straight through the middle – that shouldn’t happen.
“Second goal that shouldn’t stand. The linesman was trying to say to me ‘He wasn’t close enough to interfere’.
“You are making him make decision that’s interfering. If he had just left him that’s interfering but he didn’t, he closed him down with pace.
“I feel for the players, I feel for my fans, they spend their hard earned money every week and they shouldn’t be going home disappointed today because the players gave everything.
“Now everyone is affected, my weekend is ruined, the players’ weekend, the fans’.
“These officials will go home tonight and sleep like a baby and they will have no problems in the morning – and that’s wrong.”
The Blades are ahead through Jayden Bogle but there’s real controversy! 😬
Lee Bowyer is absolutely furious that an earlier offside was not given. 🤬 pic.twitter.com/pQ9QTqkVc2
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) February 4, 2022
Twitter users reacted as Birmingham fans get told off during protest while Lee Bowyer risks a punishment over his post-match comments…
@BatemanTom18: I fully stand with Birmingham fans and protesting against shit ownership, but all this whistle blowing and potentially fucking up the game, that would only happen to us, miraculously always happens to be against us when teams fancy doing these protests
@Robmozz1: Might be the only one here but don’t think the whistles are needed tonight. I’ve left work early, won’t get home until 1am and spent £60 in total. Last thing I want to see is the game abandoned. Faceless makes will get enough attention, don’t spoil it for everyone #BSHLOUT #KRO
@delves1: Masks were a clever idea whistles semi worked but definitely need another idea for the next one to cause more mayhem, we don’t stop tho #BCFC #KRO #BSHLOUT
@Rads_23: Birmingham fans blowing whistles and wearing white masks is a sorry sight to see 😐
@EvanBavester: The Birmingham fans blowing whistles is embarrassing btw. Did absolutely nothing and have no idea what they were trying to achieve
@s24su: The Birmingham fans are asked over the PA to not use whistles during the game… can’t help but feel that’s a waste of time #sufc #twitterblades
@danwba_: Fucking whistles from Birmingham fans 😂😂😂 use your own voices you tinpot small club
@KieranCraig2016: Tell you what the Birmingham fans aren’t half on one tonight fair fucking play
@Vaughanyboy:
Sunday – Birmingham fans singing about #dcfc dying
Friday – Birmingham fans crying for other team’s support against their board
@18AVFC74: Can’t deal with this man 🤣🤣🤣
@Toshisaram: Piss poor. Throwing stones in their small greenhouses last week. BSHLIN
@Benjmeister85: Same fans who sang they can’t wait for Derby to die?
Birmingham fans’s new way to protest against their owners – blow whistles during the whole match 😂, very passionate lot pic.twitter.com/5PD5en1P2Z
— James🇸🇻 (@Jamesr02_) February 4, 2022
Birmingham fans marching against their owners before tonight’s game 👏#BCFC #BSHLOUT
pic.twitter.com/0MwU0KS7Qa— The Second Tier (@secondtierpod) February 4, 2022
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