This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/sport1/hi/football/6142974.stm

The article has changed 10 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 6 Version 7
Newell asked to meet Luton board Newell rapped but keeps Luton job
(2 days later)
Luton's board of directors will meet manager Mike Newell to discuss the comments he made about lineswoman Amy Rayner after Saturday's defeat by QPR. Mike Newell has kept his job as Luton manager - but has been severely reprimanded by the club.
The board met on Monday and said in a statement: "The club disassociates itself with the manager's comments which have no place in the game. Newell was in trouble after a verbal attack on female official Amy Rayner and chairman Bill Tomlins following Saturday's 3-2 home defeat against QPR.
"The board will meet with the manager as a matter of urgency." He was asked to explain his attack on Tomlins and a statement from Luton said: "Any repetition of such conduct will not be tolerated."
Newell has apologised for his comments about Rayner, saying: "My comments were ill-timed and out of order." Newell apologised to the board and assured them there will be no repeat.
onClick="javascript:launchAVConsoleStory('6143756'); return false;" href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/video_and_audio/help_guide/4304501.stm">Interview: Mike Newell The Football Association has said it will look into Newell's comments, which he made in his post-match press conference at Kenilworth Road.
Newell added that he had wanted to speak with Rayner before commenting publicly. Newell contacted Rayner personally to apologise for his outburst, but still faced a meeting with the Luton board.
"I wanted to apologise privately before I apologised publicly but it has taken until Monday morning to get hold of Amy's number." 606: DEBATE class="" href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/606/A17408522">This is one of the best decisions that Luton have made in a while HA class="" href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/606/default.stm">606: Have your say
Will I be the manager at the weekend? That is a question for the board, but I am not going to resign Mike Newell Luton's statement added: "The club disassociate ourselves totally with the comments Mike Newell made regarding the assistant referee, which are completely unacceptable.
The Football Association has said it will look into Newell's comments, which he made in his post-match press conference on Saturday. "The club have accepted the manager's explanation and his subsequent public apology."
The former Everton and Blackburn striker was unhappy that Rayner and referee Andy D'Urso failed to award his side a spot-kick when QPR defender Marcus Bignot tangled with Carlos Edwards in the penalty box.The former Everton and Blackburn striker was unhappy that Rayner and referee Andy D'Urso failed to award his side a spot-kick when QPR defender Marcus Bignot tangled with Carlos Edwards in the penalty box.
"It is bad enough with the incapable referees and linesmen we have but if you start bringing in women, you have big problems," said Newell."It is bad enough with the incapable referees and linesmen we have but if you start bringing in women, you have big problems," said Newell.
"This is Championship football. This is not park football, so what are women doing here? It is tokenism, for the politically-correct idiots."This is Championship football. This is not park football, so what are women doing here? It is tokenism, for the politically-correct idiots.
"She should not be here. I know that sounds sexist but I am sexist, so I am not going to be anything other than that.""She should not be here. I know that sounds sexist but I am sexist, so I am not going to be anything other than that."
Newell was also highly critical of chairman Bill Tomlins' running of the club and that issue was also due to be discussed at the emergency board meeting. Newell was also highly critical of chairman Tomlins' running of the club.
class="bodl" href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/606/A17271470"> 606 DEBATE: What do you think of Newell's comments? He said he thought the club had gone backwards since Tomlins took over two years ago, with a proposed move to a new stadium showing no signs of progress, plus he claimed the chairman would soon be leaving Kenilworth Road.
Newell said he thought the club had gone backwards since Tomlins took over two years ago, with a proposed move to a new stadium showing no signs of progress, plus he claimed the chairman would soon be leaving Kenilworth Road.
Newell said: "I have not spoken to the chairman for months. I cannot understand what he is doing here.Newell said: "I have not spoken to the chairman for months. I cannot understand what he is doing here.
Amy Rayner (above) earned the right to be an assistant referee in that game Rachel Yankey
"The club has gone backwards off the pitch during the last two years. He has not made any decisions and he has contributed nothing."The club has gone backwards off the pitch during the last two years. He has not made any decisions and he has contributed nothing.
"Everything he has got involved in, he has messed up. I am not considering my own future because, apparently, he is going."Everything he has got involved in, he has messed up. I am not considering my own future because, apparently, he is going.
"I will not suffer fools - I never have and I never will. "I will not suffer fools - I never have and I never will."
"There are players out of contract at the end of the season but nothing is being done. I am up to my eyes in it."
And, speaking on Monday, Newell refused to retract his comments about Tomlin.
"I very rarely say things I do not mean," he said.
"Whether I have been out of order, whether the comments are mistimed is a different matter. I'm just honest, sometimes too honest.
"I think the club will go forward in the future, hopefully the near future and whether I am here or not I want that to happen."
"Will I be the manager at the weekend? That is a question for the board but I am not going to resign."
Meanwhile, Rayner has already received the full backing of referee's chief Neale Barry, QPR's Bignot and England international Rachel Yankey.
Arsenal Ladies star Yankey told BBC Five Live: "She has the qualifications to officiate at Championship level and to say she should not be there is totally unfair.
"Amy Rayner earned the right to be an assistant referee in that game.
"Amy is a role model. Football remains a male-dominated sport but she has the bravery to do something she loves.
"If the decision was wrong he might attack the assistant referee but he should not say she should not be in the game simply because she is a woman.
"Games mean so much to managers and maybe he made those comments out of rage but it cannot be condoned."
Last month Newell was warned as to his future conduct by the FA after being found guilty of abusing a match official.