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Bristol Post
Bristol Post
Sport
Richard Forrester

Referee that officiated Bristol City's defeat to Hull will feature in League One this weekend

The referee that officiated Bristol City's defeat to Hull on Saturday will drop into League One this weekend for Peterborough's game with Morecambe.

Dean Whitestone was under the spotlight after the 2-1 loss at the MKM Stadium following two controversial penalty decisions that went against the Robins in the Championship curtain-raiser.

The first was to award a spot-kick to Hull after Kal Naismith was adjudged to have fouled Benjamin Tetteh in the box before waving away Rob Atkinson's penalty claim just moments after.

Nigel Pearson was understandably highly frustrated at the full-time whistle with the referee's performance adding: "It's not pleasant viewing. I’m afraid the penalty is not good to view."

In regards to Atkinson's decision, he added: "We know there’s going to be a little bit more contacts allowed but the lad who’s marking him is the wrong side of him, has his hands round his waist and has no intention of attacking the ball."

Whitestone is part of the Select Group 2 referees who predominantly cover the Championship. However, usually, one or two officials from that group will drop divisions on a weekly basis as part of a rotational system that helps maintain the integrity of the league.

Despite the timing of Whitestone's appointment in League One, there is no suggestion that he has been demoted following his performance. The PGMOL (Professional Game Match Officials Board) also includes rotation because the same referee can only officiate on a maximum number of a team's matches over the course of the season and they can't officiate to the same team within four weeks of a previous appointment.

Any City fans seeking a good omen ahead of Saturday's home clash with Sunderland won't be particularly thrilled to hear that Keith Stroud will be the man in the middle against the Black Cats.

Stroud and City haven't seen eye to eye over the years and the club's record, while he has been in charge, does not make pretty reading.

During Stroud's career, he has officiated 29 City matches with the Robins winning just seven of those and losing 13. He's also dished out four red cards including the controversial one to send off Nathan Baker in against QPR in 2018.

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