Fuming Begovic says referee Gillett was not up to the occasion as Cherries crash out of play-offs

IRATE keeper Asmir Begovic insisted referee Jarred Gillett was not up to the occasion as Cherries saw their Premier League dream shattered by Brentford.

The Dorset club had got off to a perfect start at Brentford Community Stadium, thanks to Arnaut Danjuma’s fifth-minute opener putting them 2-0 up on aggregate over two legs.

But keeper Begovic was left seething after referee Gillett gave a penalty. Emiliano Marcondes hit the arm of Lloyd Kelly with a cross as he slid in to block.

Ivan Toney stepped up to convert from the spot on 16 minutes and after Chris Mepham was sent off for the visitors, goals from Vitaly Janelt and Marcus Forss earned the Bees a 3-2 aggregate success.

Asked whether he felt the referee was influenced by the occasion and 4,000 Brentford fans in attendance, Bosnian stopper Begovic said: “Yeah, I don’t think the referee was up to the occasion.

“The crowd, I mean it’s only 4,000 – how much can you be influenced with 4,000? It’s just incredible really.

“To lose like that, almost like he couldn’t wait to give it (the penalty). After we’d scored an early goal and everything we wanted, that’s even worse to take.”

Defeat meant Cherries are set for a second season in the Championship after relegation from the Premier League last term.

Speaking further about the penalty decision, Begovic said: “My view was perfect. I was right behind it, it’s never, ever a penalty in a million years.

“It goes off Lloyd’s body, hits his hand – it’s never been hand to ball, it’s ball to hand and there’s nothing he can do.

“It’s an embarrassment of a decision.

“The error against the way he (Gillett) has gone about the decision – not even speaking to his linesman – I think the linesman gave the penalty.

“The magnitude of this game, after 48 games, it’s shameful really.

“Sixteen years I’ve been in this game, I’ve never spoken about referees but this is a shameful decision and the manner it was done. Whoever the head of referees is needs to look at it.”