Crystal Palace boss Ian Holloway refuses to comment on penalty incident due to fear of being 'rude' after previous ban

Eagles manager was banned for criticising the referee in their first game back in the Premier League but chose not to speak out over the controversial penalty decision

Ian Holloway was forced to watch his side face Manchester United from the stands (GETTY IMAGES)

Crystal Palace manager Ian Holloway refused to be drawn on the controversial penalty that was awarded to Manchester United because he feared he would be “rude”.

His side lost 2-0 at Old Trafford in the Premier League, with the important first goal coming when Ashley Young went down in the penalty area under pressure from Kagisho Dikgacoi. Referee Jon Moss sent off the Palace player and Robin van Persie converted the spot-kick.

Holloway, already serving a two-match touchline ban for comments about officials, admitted that it was a "difficult job" for referees.

But when asked to comment directly on the incident involving Young, he told BT Sport: "I would be rude. I literally cannot afford it."

Holloway was also fined £18,000 after his behaviour in the aftermath of Palace's 1-0 opening-day defeat against Tottenham.

"My opinion does not count," said Holloway. "It does not count because the result is the result and I have just got to deal with it I'm afraid."

Wayne Rooney scored United's second, but Holloway was full of praise for his team.

"I am really proud of them," he said. "For long periods I was absolutely delighted."

United manager David Moyes said: "I think we played well. I was pleased."

Moyes also said he was happy with Rooney's display, and that the striker, back after a head injury, managed to play the full 90 minutes.

PA