Hughes slams timing of FA call

QPR boss Mark Hughes accused the Football Association of using their support for goal-line technology to cover up the poor performance of the officials in Saturday's controversial 2-1 defeat at fellow Barclays Premier League strugglers Bolton.

Clint Hill thought he had given the visitors the lead in the 19th minute when his header from Joey Barton's corner clearly crossed the line before it was clawed out by Adam Bogdan, but neither referee Martin Atkinson nor his assistant gave it.

The FA released a statement during the match reiterating their "strong desire to see goal-line technology introduced as soon as possible", but Hughes was not impressed by the timing, and he said: "I think that's absolutely ludicrous that they come out and try to protect the poor performances of the officials they supply us. It's a joke."

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