Ashley Barnes claims even REFEREES 'want Burnley relegated' this season and says officials have bought into their 'ugly' reputation in the Premier League as he slams Kevin Friend for 'smiling' after giving a VAR penalty against them at Spurs
- Ashley Barnes believes referees want Burnley to be relegated from the top flight
- Barnes was livid with Kevin Friend's decision to award Tottenham a penalty
- The forward feels referees have bought into Burnley's 'ugly' reputation
Burnley forward Ashley Barnes has claimed that even referees want his team to get relegated.
A win against Newcastle on Sunday would effectively ensure that Burnley stay in the Premier League.
However, Barnes feels that there is an agenda against Burnley from officials given their reputation for being a physical side.
![Ashley Barnes was livid with Kevin Friend's decision to give a penalty against Burnley](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/05/21/12/58103485-0-image-a-1_1653133852633.jpg)
Ashley Barnes was livid with Kevin Friend's decision to give a penalty against Burnley
![Friend was seen smiling before pointing to the spot to give Tottenham a penalty](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/05/21/13/58105137-10840125-image-a-38_1653137363856.jpg)
Friend was seen smiling before pointing to the spot to give Tottenham a penalty
![Harry Kane scored the spot-kick with Tottenham securing a 1-0 victory against Burnley](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/05/21/13/58105141-10840125-image-a-39_1653137384982.jpg)
Harry Kane scored the spot-kick with Tottenham securing a 1-0 victory against Burnley
As reported by The Independent, Barnes said: 'In recent seasons people look at us and think we're a hard team, being ugly.
'No disrespect, I think people, even referees, want us gone from the league.'
Barnes was especially frustrated with Kevin Friend's decision to award Tottenham a penalty last weekend.
Friend consulted VAR and was seen smiling before giving the spot-kick, from which Harry Kane scored the only goal of the game, with Tottenham beating Burnley 1-0.
Barnes was on the scoresheet as Burnley drew 1-1 with Aston Villa this week, but they had Matt Lowton sent off late on for a foul on Calum Chambers. Burnley are to appeal Lowton's red card.
![Barnes feels that referees want Burnley to be relegated because of their reputation](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/05/21/12/58103789-0-image-m-3_1653133924444.jpg)
Barnes feels that referees want Burnley to be relegated because of their reputation
![Burnley had Matt Lowton sent off for a challenge on Aston Villa's Calum Chambers](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/05/21/12/58103885-10840125-image-a-18_1653134220944.jpg)
Burnley had Matt Lowton sent off for a challenge on Aston Villa's Calum Chambers
Barnes said: 'The whole situation when [Kevin Friend] goes to the screen at the weekend, Tottenham played on, they missed a great opportunity and everyone goes to set up for a goal-kick, but then there's VAR, it's like, 'What?'
'Then he's smiling when he comes away and no one can speak to him. Even at Villa Park we can't speak to Paul Tierney. Go and check the screen, that's what it's for. We just need consistency throughout the decisions.'
Burnley's relegation rivals Leeds are in action against Brentford on Saturday, but Barnes stressed that his team 'just have to stay calm, stay positive and concentrate on ourselves'.
Going into the final round of fixtures, Burnley are level on points with Leeds but Mike Jackson's side have a vastly superior goal difference of -18 compared to Leeds' -38.
This season Burnley have received 67 yellow cards in the Premier League, which is the seventh-highest amount in the division, while they have had two red cards.
Most watched Sport videos
- Pole vaulter jokes after going viral for hitting manhood on bar
- OnlyFans Olympian Alisha Newman shows off pole vault outfit choices
- Awkward moment Anthony Ammirati gets his crotch stuck on crossbar
- IShowSpeed is challenged to a race by Polish Olympic sprinting star
- Letslie Tebogo delivers savage remark after winning gold
- Noah Lyles' Olympic rival speaks out after the 200m final
- Fitness experts distinguishes between NRL and Olympic athletes
- Olympics commentator corrected after misgendering USA shot put star
- Adorable footage of a tiny Simone Biles at junior competition
- Rebeca Andrade reacts to Simone Biles' bow to her after winning gold
- Paris 2024 Olympics: Day 11 highlights
- Fans react to Ellie Aldridge winning gold in kitesurfing at Olympic