BY DARREN JOHNSTONE – Capital City Press
Dunfermline midfielder Josh Falkingham has demanded that referees give the Pars more protection from the League One hatchet men.
East End Park manager Allan Johnston has already raised his concerns with the Scottish FA after defenders Callum Fordyce and Ryan Williamson sustained broken legs within the space of a month.
Captain Fordyce also suffered a broken nose and dislocated ankle in last weekend’s defeat to Ayr United.
Falkingham was the victim of some heavy challenges, including a late tackle from Jamie Adams, in that game and the 25-year-old reckons officials should be doing more to look after the players.
Falkingham said: “Protection is the thing. The referee is there on a Saturday to take charge and look after the people on the pitch. That’s his responsibility as well.
“The manager made a bigger deal out of the tackle on me than I did myself on Monday morning when he had seen the incident again.
“I knew myself but I think a few of the lads didn’t know how late it was. But I am used to it now.
“We do like to play football and sometimes the way to stop that is to be physical.
“It is all part and parcel of the game for me.
“Unfortunately, we have seen a couple of bad challenges in the last few weeks.
“Hopefully, Dycey will come back fit and strong. I’m sure he will.”
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