Leicester City manager Nigel Pearson has confirmed he was sent to the stands at half-time during his side's 2-2 draw with Middlesbrough.
Foxes boss dismissed
Leicester City manager Nigel Pearson has confirmed he was sent to the stands at half-time during his side's 2-2 draw with Middlesbrough.
Pearson alleged that the referee barged into Leicester's dressing room towards the end of the interval as he was talking to his players.
When he emerged, he was informed by the fourth official that he had been sent off for what he had said to official Gavin Ward.
Pearson was furious following the incident and has vowed to challenge any action the Football Association might take.
"I don't know what really happened," said Pearson. "I was talking to my players and giving them instructions for the second half when I was rudely interrupted.
"I didn't see who it was that barged into my dressing room but I told them to get out - and that may be a euphemism for what I actually said.
"When I am talking to my players in my space and someone tries to interrupt me and talk to me when they have not been invited to do so, that is rude.
"In future what I will do to avoid any repeat of the situation is lock the dressing room door."
Pearson added: "I am all for the Respect Campaign and things getting back to how they were.
"When I was a player people could say what they wanted without all this red tape.
"Respect is a two-way thing and I look forward to reading the referee's report. I can't wait. It will be interesting.
"I was furious having to watch from the stands and I can't wait to see what the reaction to all this will be.
"If the FA have to get involved then I will be appealing, there's no doubt about that. I can't wait to see what happens."
On the pitch, Jermaine Beckford continued his rich vein of scoring form to earn
Leicester a deserved point with a late equaliser.
Beckford had done everything but score before popping up with his sixth goal in his last four matches with four minutes remaining.
It had looked like a rare Tom McMahon goal would give Middlesbrough victory when he struck in the 79th minute.
Scott McDonald had earlier cancelled out David Nugent's opener for Leicester to send the teams into half-time level.
"I think it was good that we scored first but they caused us a few problems and in the end I think we did well to get something out of the game," said Pearson.
Boro
Boro boss Tony Mowbray also felt that referee Ward had something of an off
night.
He said: "I don't want to get in trouble. I think he had an uncomfortable night is probably the best things to say.
"I'm sure we all assess ourselves when we go home and he might put his head down on his pillow tonight and have a think.
"He couldn't make a decision at times, but he'll have better days I'm sure."
Beckford's goal denied Mowbray's side a first league victory since Boxing Day, but the point was still enough to move Middlesbrough back into the Championship play-off places.
However, the Boro boss knows his side must start winning again quickly.
"Tom McMahon did well but it was similar to what Barry Robson did at Sunderland at the weekend, he scored a great goal and then laid on the equaliser for the other team," said Mowbray.
"Ultimately we leave disappointed at not getting all three points having been so close.
"We need to get back to winning ways quickly at the weekend because other teams are starting to put together runs now and are catching us."
