QPR manager Ian Holloway called for the immediate introduction of video technology and blasted the officials that made a ‘blatant error’ in sending off Luke Freeman at Preston North End.

In the 78th minute of Rangers’ 2-1 defeat, Freeman was given a second yellow for an alleged stamp on one of the home side’s players.

In an extraordinary tirade, Holloway eviscerated the fourth official that intervened to give the instruction for referee David Coote to send off the player, despite neither Coote nor his linesmen actually seeing the incident.

“The fourth official has made an absolutely outrageous call of a second yellow,” he said.

“If it’s a deliberate stamping which he says he saw, why isn’t that a direct red which we could appeal? I don’t understand.

“Luke didn’t stamp him, he got his body out of the way of it.

“How can you make such a blatant error?

“I just don’t understand. No-one moaned because it was such a shock decision.

Video call: Ian Holloway

“We looked good at times and so did they, but we’re on the wrong end of it and everybody feels pretty aggrieved.”

With typical brio, Holloway challenged the powers-that-be to immediately introduce video technology into the Championship.

He cited the example of QPR’s disallowed goal at Blackburn Rovers that should have stood- as another example of the need for instantaneous action.

“I just want it to be professional,” he said.

“We had something happen to us a few weeks ago that should be changed immediately and the game should change immediately.

“The goal at Blackburn would have been found to be legitimate in the top flight, at this level we’re saying it’s not important enough to actually get it right.

Seeing red: Luke Freeman

“Am I wrong again? I must be. Stupid Holloway from wherever he comes from.

“Any chance of getting professional,” he shouted.

“Get the fourth official sitting with a screen and get these decisions right before the end of the season so Simon and my teams can be judged as good or bad on themselves.

“How embarrassing is our country? Why can’t we be important enough about our football to show people that play on a Sunday that things can be done right.

“Just like they do in rugby, just like they do in tennis, just like they do in every goddam sport apart from ours.”

And the match...

QPR's defeat to Preston North End put an end to their revival in the Championship.

Rangers took the lead at Deepdale through Kazenga Lua-Lua, but goals from Aiden McGeady and Jordan Hugill sent them home pointless and they ended with ten men after Luke Freeman's dismissal.

After a turgid first half-hour, Alex Smithies pulled off a good save from a Jordan Hugill header and the R’s snuck ahead moments later.

Darnell Furlong hurled a throw into the box and Matt Smith flicked it on to Kazenga Lua-Lua, who held off a challenge to backheel in from six yards.

The Lilywhites continued to be frustrated by QPR’s patient defending but a moment of quality from Aiden McGeady pegged the visitors back on the stroke of half time.

The winger cut across goal on an angle outside the box, refusing a couple of opportunities to shoot, and picked his moment to whip into the bottom right corner past Smithies.

Ian Holloway’s men withstood a spell of Preston pressure after half-time as Greg Cunningham curled just wide of the far post and on the end of another lull, Callum Robinson fired home but from an offside position.

The home side made their good play count in the 71st minute when Smithies stopped a Hugill volley but couldn’t keep the rebound out and the striker tapped home from close in.

It all got frantic late on as Luke Freeman was sent off for a mysterious second yellow, Joel Lynch turned a cross against his own bar, Smithies made an outstanding double save and late sub Yeni N’Gbakoto stabbed a great chance over.

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