Thomas Frank calls out Newcastle United ball boys in explosive Brentford post-match rant

Brentford boss Thomas Frank is expecting an apology from PGMOL chief Howard Webb after Newcastle United were awarded a match-winning penalty.

The Bees lost 1-0 at St James’ Park following Callum Wilson’s 64th-minute spot-kick and Frank was left miffed at the decision having been on the wrong end of a similar incident during their opening day 2-2 draw at home to Tottenham Hotspur.

Anthony Gordon went to ground under a challenge from goalkeeper Mark Flekken to which referee Craig Pawson pointed to the spot. Frank feels the “mistake” cost his side at least a draw.

In an explosive post-match press conference, Frank told reporters: “It demands character to come here and play — from us and from the ref in many ways. We played a very even game and we could have won. That’s the extra frustrating thing it is decided by an on-field decision we are nothing to do with. It’s so rare I complain about it because I think ‘okay it’s human beings’ and we all make mistakes. So that happens but it’s extra frustrating when we lose because of that.

“We just got told four weeks ago when Kevin Schade went through on goal against Tottenham and the goalkeeper took him out that ‘no, he pulled out before’ so we can’t give you a penalty. Mark pulled out before (so it is) not a penalty.

“In my opinion. Gordon cleverly leaves his leg hanging and and then it’s not the referee who gives it but it’s the linesman and he needs to be absolutely bang on 100 per cent sure if he wants to decide an even game between two teams that gave each other a fantastic game and fight. That means the VAR can’t do anything because it’s not a clear and obvious failure. I’m pretty sure that Howard Webb will come back to us to say ‘sorry we made a mistake.”

Frank failed to address Wilson’s disallowed goal after the Magpies’ No.9 was penalised for a foul on Flekken. Another penalty was awarded when Bryan Mbeumo handled a Harvey Barnes’ header but Pawson changed his mind following a check at the VAR monitor.

The Dane, however, wasn’t finished there. As the Bees searched for an equaliser, Neal Maupay tried to get the ball from the ball boy who threw it over his head towards Kieran Trippier.

After the journalists finished asking Frank questions, he said unprovoked: “I think with all these new rules of where they add time, if the ball boys don’t want to give the ball back I think it should be an extra minute. That’s just to the ref I want to say that.”