A coming together at half time of Bristol City’s clash at home to Blackburn saw boss Lee Johnson allegedly push a member of the Rovers staff in the throat.
It came after Johnson was yellow carded by match officials for his response to the away side’s physios racing onto the pitch to treat the injured Sam Gallagher when Bristol City wanted to launch a counter-attack with referee John Brooks waving play on.
One of Rovers’ coaching staff also punched the ball away when it went out for a throw-in just before half time. Then both sets of staff in the dugout came together when going down the tunnel at half time and it’s said that Johnson pushed Blackburn staff member Stewart Walsh after a ball was thrown at the Bristol City boss.
Speaking to the Bristol Post, Johnson said: “Yes, listen, it’s a passionate arena, isn’t it?
“I think when a referee manages a situation as poorly as he does with their physio running onto the pitch while the ball is still in play, outrageous behaviour in all honesty.
I’ve got a lot of respect for Tony Mowbray, I think he’s a real class act as well but unfortunately his staff weren’t today.”
Lee Johnson's head has gone. Wasn't happy with a member of the #Rovers coaching staff for punching the ball away as it went out for a throw. As the half-time whistle went, plenty of pushing and shoving between the coaching staff, before the players soon joined them.
— Rich Sharpe (@richsharpe89) December 14, 2019
On the incident at half time, Johnson said: “I’m all for a bit of sledging but like I said to you, it’s a passionate game and no problem for me.
“I’ve answered the question, alright, so how deep do you want me to go into it?
“I’m telling you that it’s a passionate game, at half time, yes there was something that went on, very, very minor and got split up very, very quickly.”
? Catch Lee Johnson's post-match thoughts. ? pic.twitter.com/MrTboCu8iQ
— Bristol City FC (@BristolCity) December 14, 2019
After finding out what Lee Johnson had to say on the two incidents including the manager push a Blackburn staff member in the throat, fans voiced their annoyance at his moaning, others slammed the Rovers physios for legging it onto the pitch without being called on – see those tweets on the next page.
John Waddington
16th December 2019 at 3:53 pm
Just a poor loser!