Referee Robert Madley visits Rotherham United

Referee Robert Madley during the Rotherham United v Blackburn Rovers clash. Picture: Jim Brailsford

The official sent off Millers wingers Fred Onyedinma last week.

THE official at the centre of the storm at AESSEAL New York Stadium last Saturday paid Rotherham United a visit earlier in the summer to explain the new rules being introduced this season, it has emerged.

Robert Madley was the target of prolonged abuse from fans during the Millers' 2-2 Championship draw last Saturday as he issued seven yellow cards to the home side.

Much of the supporters' anger centred on Fred Onyedinma being booked for celebrating his goal with the crowd and then moments later receiving another caution when he made a yellow-card gesture to the referee after being fouled by Adam Wharton.

It resulted in the winger being dismissed and receiving a one-match ban that he will serve at Sunderland this weekend.

Madley was part of a delegation from referees group PGMOL (Professional Game Match Officials Limited) that addressed Rotherham management and players a couple of weeks before the season began about the measures being brought in by the EFL to curb time-wasting and gamesmanship.

Many observers thought the first booking shouldn’t have happened, although there was general acceptance that the second was in keeping with the new directives.

The Advertiser understands the official made another trip to the club’s Roundwood base this week in a bid to shed light on the events of the Blackburn match.