Thomas Frank unhappy with officials in game with Brighton

Brentford boss Thomas Frank claimed Brighton forward Joao Pedro should have been sent off during his side’s goalless Premier League draw at the Amex Stadium.

Pedro escaped punishment after swinging an arm at Bees substitute substitute Yehor Yarmoliuk without making contact.

VAR reviewed the second-half incident but deemed there was no violent conduct.

Frank and Brighton head coach Fabian Hurzeler disagreed about the decision.

“As I understand the rules, you can’t swing your arm to try to hit someone,” said Frank.

“If you hit them or not, it’s a red, that’s the way I understand the rules.”

Frank spoke to the match officials, including referee Andy Madley, about the flashpoint at full-time.

“They haven’t seen the situation yet, not on TV afterwards,” said Frank.

“To be fair to him, I think the angle can be tricky so that’s why you’ve got VAR.”

Asked about Frank’s assessment, Hurzeler replied: “Interesting opinion. I see it completely different.

“For me, it’s not a red card. He tried to get free from a person.”

Brighton were booed off after their winless run was stretched to six top-flight games.

Albion dominated for large periods and hit the woodwork inside four minutes through Julio Enciso.

Bees goalkeeper Mark Flekken made some important saves before being forced off injured in the 36th minute, albeit his replacement Hakon Valdimarsson was rarely tested on his Premier League debut.

The Seagulls remain 10th ahead of Monday’s trip to Aston Villa, with Brentford a position and two points below moving towards their New Year’s Day showdown with Arsenal.

Hurzeler thought the jeers at full-time were unfair.

“The team doesn’t deserve that because in all the games we had in the last weeks they were all good, they were all