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/6142538.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Yankey hits back at Newell jibes Yankey hits back at Newell jibes
(30 minutes later)
England international Rachel Yankey has hit back at Mike Newell's criticism of assistant referee Amy Rayner.England international Rachel Yankey has hit back at Mike Newell's criticism of assistant referee Amy Rayner.
Rayner was lambasted by the Luton manager for her performance in the Hatters' 3-2 defeat by QPR on Saturday.Rayner was lambasted by the Luton manager for her performance in the Hatters' 3-2 defeat by QPR on Saturday.
Newell claimed a woman should not be running a line at Championship level, describing her presence as "tokenism".Newell claimed a woman should not be running a line at Championship level, describing her presence as "tokenism".
But 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."But 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."
The 27-year-old Arsenal Ladies star added: "Amy Rayner earned the right to be an assistant referee in that game.The 27-year-old Arsenal Ladies star added: "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."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."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.
This is Championship football. This is not park football, so what are women doing here? Mike NewellThis is Championship football. This is not park football, so what are women doing here? Mike Newell
"Games mean so much to managers and maybe he made those comments out of rage but it cannot be condoned. "Games mean so much to managers and maybe he made those comments out of rage but it cannot be condoned."
The Football Association has confirmed they are to investigate the comments made by Newell following the game at Kenilworth Road.The Football Association has confirmed they are to investigate the comments made by Newell following the game at Kenilworth Road.
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.
606 DEBATE: What do you think of Newell's comments? 606 DEBATE: What do you think of Newell's comments?
"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."
Rayner has already received the full backing of referee's chief Neale Barry over the matter.Rayner has already received the full backing of referee's chief Neale Barry over the matter.
Last month Newell was warned as to his future conduct by the FA after being found guilty of abusing a match official.Last month Newell was warned as to his future conduct by the FA after being found guilty of abusing a match official.