'I think people, even referees, want us gone from the league'
Burnley striker Ashley Barnes has claimed that some referees want Burnley 'gone' from the Premier League due to an undeserved reputation for playing ugly.
The Clarets have been on the wrong end of a couple of contentious penalty and red card decisions in each of their last two matches, with Barnes penalised for a debatable handball at Tottenham Hotspur.
However, Burnley were not awarded a penalty for a similar incident involving Aston Villa's Lucas Digne at Villa Park on Thursday night.
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Mike Jackson's men were reduced to 10 men against Steven Gerrard's side after substitute Matt Lowton was sent off late on in the match - a decision that the Clarets are set to appeal.
Barnes believes referees want Burnley to get relegated
Now, as per the
Independent, the 32-year-old Barnes has suggested that people - including some referees - want Burnley to be relegated from the top-flight.
"I think in recent seasons people look at us and think we’re a hard team, being ugly," Barnes said. "No disrespect, I think people, even referees, want us gone from the league.
"That’s just another issue we have to overcome. We’ve just got to concentrate on the game ourselves."
When asked if officials "buy into" the reputation that the Clarets may have, Barnes replied: "Of course they do. The whole situation when [Kevin Friend] goes to the screen at the weekend.
"[Tottenham] played on, they missed a great opportunity and everyone goes to set up for a goal-kick, but then there’s VAR, it’s like, ‘What?’
"Then he’s smiling when he comes away and no one can speak to him. Even [at Villa Park] we can’t speak to [Paul Tierney]. Go and check the screen, that’s what it’s for. We just need consistency throughout the decisions."
Burnley and Leeds battle to avoid the drop
Leeds United and Burnley both currently sit on 35 points, however, the Clarets have the superior goal difference and will stay up if they better the Whites' result at Brentford on Sunday.
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