Gillingham manager Neil Harris says he’s still waiting for a reply from refereeing organisation the Professional Game Match Officials Ltd

Gillingham manager Neil Harris says he is still waiting for answers after questioning a couple of refereeing decisions.

Harris couldn’t understand why a tackle that put Tim Dieng out for weeks, with a medial knee injury, only warranted a yellow card while a challenge by his own midfielder Ethan Coleman in the game against Colchester was met with a straight red.

Coleman picked up his 86th minute red card at Priestfield on August 26, sent off by referee Thomas Kirk. A week later, at Grimsby, Dieng was left in a heap after a high challenge from Danny Amos, leaving him in a knee brace. Referee Adam Herczeg issued a caution.

On both occasions, Harris questioned the decisions when filling in the club’s report on the officials, and requested feedback. As of Thursday, he was still waiting.

Harris said: “Tim’s injury could have been worse. I have had no response from the PGMOL (the Professional Game Match Officials Ltd is the body that represents refereeing in England) after asking for a response on two tackles that happened 12 and 19 days ago, no response.

“We talk about open communication, I am filling the forms in, I have had no response to why Ethan Coleman’s was a red card, which didn’t endanger an opponent, and Tim Dieng’s out for six or seven weeks and it was a yellow card.

“I will be transparent when I get the response. I am trying to be well-behaved and look after my bench and give utmost respect in the modern day, we have to do it, but please respond.”

Harris’ assistant boss David Livermore and goalkeeper coach Deren Ibrahim were both booked on the opening day for questioning decisions. The Gills manager thinks communication has improved since then - but he now wants the refereeing body to get in touch to clarify those