'It's obvious' - Steve Evans namechecks ex QPR and Leeds United boss in furious Charlton Athletic rant

Rotherham United boss Steve Evans namechecked veteran football boss Neil Warnock as he ranted over a refereeing decision during his side's 1-1 draw against Charlton Athletic at the weekend.

The League One fixture at The Valley went ahead despite the international break with the sides sharing a point in London. Both the Millers and the Addicks will be hoping to compete for promotion to the Championship this season.

Liam Kelly put the visitors 1-0 up early in the second half but Chuks Aneke levelled for Charlton Athletic with 20 minutes still to play. The talking point from the match came late in the game when Kayne Ramsey brought Joe Powell to the ground with Rotherham United adamant they should have a penalty awarded.

Referee Simon Mather didn't agree and the fiasco ended up with Evans being booked himself for his passionate reaction on the touchline. After the match the 61-year-old, who joined Rotherham United having left Stevenage this year, didn't hold back with his opinion.

Veiling a dig at favouritism in a quote from 'friend' and former Rotherham United player and manager Warnock, Evans said: "I remember a Neil Warnock quote: 'You don’t get penalties in London unless you’re from London'.

"How that is not a penalty is beyond me. We didn’t get it. That was the Neil Warnock quote…before someone at the FA gets excited. It’s a clear and obvious penalty. There is no attempt to play the ball – so my comments to the referee coming off is that not only has he missed a penalty but it is also a red card. It is at a big time in the game.

“Neil Warnock is a friend of mine and he’ll chuckle that I’ve said it. But he’s right – you come from the north and you don’t get penalties in London.

“My only argument [with his yellow card] was that I think Nathan was his touching buddy for 65 minutes. But Nathan swam with him, didn’t he? I didn’t say anything. I said it was a penalty but I raised my arms and I said to the fourth official at the time that he’d be disappointed when he saw it back. He’s a good man David Rock [4th official], I don’t have a problem with him.”

Warnock, who has found himself in hot water for comments made about referees several times during his career, managed Rotherham United in 2016 and is now football advisor of National League South club Torquay United. The 75-year-old football journeyman spent time with London clubs QPR and Crystal Palace during his managerial career but is best known for his work away from the capital. Warnock worked at clubs including Leeds United, Sheffield United, Middlesbrough, Cardiff City and Huddersfield Town in the past.