Stoke City chairman Peter Coates will make an official complaint about referee Martin Atkinson regarding the 5-1 defeat to Newcastle

Coates has labelled the performance by the match officials as a 'disgrace' after the Potters received two red cards, saw manager Mark Hughes sent to the stands and conceded two penalties

Stoke defender Marc Wilson is sent off after giving away a penalty in the 5-1 defeat to Newcastle on Boxing Day (GETTY IMAGES)

Stoke chairman Peter Coates plans to make an official complaint regarding the performance of referee Martin Atkinson in their 5-1 loss to Newcastle on Boxing Day.

Atkinson sent off both Glenn Whelan and Marc Wilson, as well as Stoke boss Mark Hughes, in the space of five first-half minutes as Stoke surrendered an early 1-0 lead to suffer a heavy defeat.

Stoke's complaints extend beyond the dismissals as there was an apparent handball in the build-up to Loic Remy's equaliser while Hatem Ben Arfa appeared to carry the ball out of play before pulling it back for Yoan Gouffran to score.

While Hughes is facing an FA charge of improper conduct, Coates is planning to make his own grievances known.

"The performance of the referee and his officials was a disgrace, and we will certainly be complaining to the relevant authorities," he said in the Daily Telegraph.

"We cannot accept what happened to us at Newcastle without making some form of representation. It's then up to the officials what they do, but we found it hugely disappointing because there were so many poor decisions.

"There was no common sense applied and I don't think either of the yellow cards for Glenn Whelan were deserved. For one of the goals I could clearly see the ball was out of play, sitting high up in the stands.

"The sendings-off completely changed the game. We were playing ever so well up to the dismissals, leading 1-0, but when you're down to nine men you've got no chance. It's not a case of sour grapes, we simply cannot accept what happened."

PA