Monday 19 September 2016 16:16, UK
Stoke boss Mark Hughes will not contest the Football Association's charge of improper conduct following the game against Tottenham – but the club does not agree with it.
Hughes was sent to the stands by referee Anthony Taylor in the first half of Stoke's 4-0 defeat last weekend.
Hughes was furious with Taylor's decision to book Marko Arnautovic for diving.
The club has opted not to contest the charge but in a statement the Potters made it clear they were unhappy.
"Based on other Premier League matches played on that weekend, the club is concerned in particular that there has been a potentially inconsistent approach in the enforcement by match officials in instances of managers leaving their technical areas," City said.
Moments after Stoke released their statement, Hughes met the media to preview his team's Super Sunday trip to Crystal Palace, live on Sky Sports 1 HD from 1.30pm.
He added: "I thought that it rubbed salt in to the wounds. You have seen the club's response and that mirrors my feelings.
"The charge relates to behaviour around the technical area and it's another directive that seems to be imposed differently from one game to the next. I think it could have been handled better than it was.
"I'm not contesting because you often lose and it costs you more money, I'd rather give that money to the grandchildren."
Hughes, meanwhile, maintains he is not concerned about his team's bad start to the Premier League season because he always expects a dip at some point in a campaign.
Stoke are currently bottom of the table, level with Sunderland, having taken only one point from their opening four games.
Coming up against Palace, a side they have lost to in each of their last four meetings, might not be the best omen but Hughes remains optimistic.
He added: "They always seem to have done well against us. Sometimes you get clubs like that have that Indian sign over you.
"But we're out to change that and that's our intention. They have made big changes. I am sure they will be fine - they are a good side.
"They felt they needed to change a few of their personnel. They've brought good players in and once everything clicks I'm sure they will have a good season.
"We're just four games in - I would suggest every team outside the top six will have a run of games without a win.
"Last year we had a similar run. It happens - it's flagged up more when it happens at the start but they do occur during the season.
"You don't want it to continue and we've got games coming up we feel we'll have a real opportunity to win."
