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The Oxford United supporters group FOUL (Fighting for Oxford United's Life) has sent an open letter to controversial referee Mike Reed, calling for him to step down from Wednesday's replay between Chelsea and Oxford. Reed awarded Chelsea a hotly disputed 93rd minute penalty, conceded after a corner which the referee's assistant had flagged as a goalkick, only to be overruled by Reed.
The text of the letter is as follows:
Open Letter to Mike Reed:
Dear Mr Reed,
After having time to think about your decisions to give Chelsea a corner (against the advice of your assistant), followed by a penalty at Oxford on Monday night I'm sure you will now agree that both decisions were totally wrong.
In the light of this and the controversy surrounding your decision to award Chelsea a late penalty against Leicester City in similar circumstances two years ago the supporters of Oxford United ask you to do the decent thing and withdraw from the replay next Wednesday night.
We are not suggesting that these wrong decisions are anything more than errors of judgement but the public perception is such that any decision you give on Wednesday night will be called into question. Because of this we believe an alternative referee for this fixture is essential to restore faith in refereeing standards.
Yours sincerely
Mark Mallinson
FOUL - Fighting for Oxford United's Life
