‘REF MIKE WAS SPURRED ON TO SHOW RED’

HARRY ARTER has accused Tottenham’s players of intimidating referee Mike Dean into sending off Joe Ralls.

The Cardiff midfielder claimed Dean had been set to show Ralls a yellow card for his cynical challenge on Lucas Moura before the intervention of the Spurs players (above).

Arter (below) said: “I don’t know what went through the ref’s mind, but I know he clearly went for the yellow card initially.

“Then they all come flying in and then it was a red card.

“So, whether it was the fourth official or the linesman I’m not sure. But I thought the ref was in the best position to make the call.

“Obviously, a yellow was going through his head initially, but that’s football. The linesman and the fourth official might have been adamant and if that’s the case then that’s the way it is.”

Arter’s words came after Cardiff boss Neil Warnock had blamed Spurs striker Harry Kane for getting Ralls dismissed.

The Republic of Ireland star added: “Initially, I thought it was a player trying to stop a tackle.

“I made a tackle quite similar earlier on in the season and it was a booking. I felt Mike was going for his yellow card initially and then I don’t know whether it was the influx of all those Spurs players that made him change his mind.

“But something clearly made him change his mind and he went for the red card.”