Sexism row ref Massey in fresh storm over deliberate shove
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Sexism row ref Massey in fresh storm as fans complain over McNaughton's 'deliberate' shove
Full force: Assistant referee Sian Massey feels the power of Cardiff City player Kevin McNaughton's shoulder as she is hurled out of his way
Kevin McNaughton stops the ball from going over the line, just where Sian Massey was standing
She is flung along the pitch a couple of metres by the force of the 'collision'
Massey is flung to the ground but McNaughton runs off without as much as an apology
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8HYHiy0hWAw&feature=player_embedded
Deliberate or Not?
Sian Massey was caught in a fresh storm after fury erupted online over Cardiff defender Kevin McNaughton's alleged deliberate shove on the female official.
The assistant referee, who earlier this season was at the centre of the sexism row that saw shamed duo Richard Keys and Andy Gray sacked by Sky Sports, was knocked to the ground by McNaughton without apology during the second-half of Cardiff's costly 3-0 home defeat to Middlesbrough.
The result saw Dave Jones' men hand automatic promotion to rivals Norwich, who secured their return to the Premier League later that evening with a 1-0 win at Portsmouth.
But fans who watched Monday's game on Sky were enraged after it appeared that Massey had been 'violently knocked to the ground' by the 28-year-old Cardiff player who was blocked in a run by Boro's Rhys Williams.
McNaughton is seen running to keep the ball in play when appears to steer, drop his shoulder and hurl himself into Massey, who was hit with such force that her head snaps back and she is flung across the pitch.
Some viewers have demanded that he should say sorry for his actions. However his agent has said he does not need to apologise for anything.
Fortunately, 25-year-old Massey took the event in good humour and was seen smiling as she got back up off the ground.
The crowd cheered as she falls to the ground but, keeping her composure and professionalism, she gets back up and even gives a goal kick before having a chuckle with referee Graham Scott.
Some fans have speculated on YouTube that the actions appear to be deliberate.
One user said: 'He changes direction. It's deliberate and disgusting. The fact that he just trots off makes it more obvious.'
Another said: 'He makes the challenge on the Boro player and then deliberately side steps and increases his speed into the path of Sian Massey before using his body weight to barge her over.
'She's lucky not to have any broken bones.'
She sees the funny side of the incident, however, and shares a chuckle with referee Graham Scott
The incident happened on Monday afternoon when Cardiff was beaten 3-0 at home to Middlesbrough.
A club spokesman said: 'Kevin didn't do it on purpose - he was trying to get the ball.'
John Viola, McNaughton's agent, said: 'He’s been around for a long time and there is no way he would do something like that.
'He would never, ever intentionally collide with a match official.'
The referee was brought to the nation's attention after sexist remarks by Andy Gray, left, and Richard Keys