Swans boss Matos defends Stamenic over red card

Swansea had been the more threatening side at Birmingham until Marko Stamenic (right) was sent off [Huw Evans Picture Agency] Vitor Matos has defended Marko Stamenic after the midfielder was sent off during Swansea City's defeat at Birmingham City. Stamenic saw red in the 26th minute for a heavy challenge on Ethan Laird. Birmingham seized the initiative after Stamenic's early exit, with Jay Stansfield swiftly putting the Blues ahead and then netting a late winner after Swansea levelled in the second half. Matos suggested Stamenic should not have been dismissed because he played the ball rather than former Swansea loanee Laird. "I cannot change what the referee decided," said the Swansea head coach. "I think what happened in that situation was that Marko touched the ball. He tackled the ball with the first foot, he tackled the ball with the second foot. "There's no contact between the two players, so then it's the judgement of the ref if that's a red or not. It's up to him not me." Birmingham beat 10-man Swansea to go top of table Stamenic faces a three-match ban after the first sending off of his Swansea career, with Birmingham boss Chris Davies describing the red card incident as "a poor challenge". Unless Swansea launch a successful appeal, New Zealand player Stamenic will miss games against West Brom, Middlesbrough and Cardiff City after the upcoming international break. "I am here already [in English football] for a good amount of time - I was here before," Matos added. "I saw so many challenges worse than this in the last game. Some of these challenges end up with players injured. It's just harsh when we have this challenge and then there's a red card. "It's for the refs to judge and try to find an agreement on where the line is." Latest Swansea City news, analysis and fan views Listen to the latest Swansea City interviews, news and discussion on BBC Sounds 'The ref brought over two lighters' Swansea goalkeeper Lawrence Vigouroux hands an object to referee Anthony Backhouse [PA] The game at St Andrew's was interrupted in the second half as Swansea goalkeeper Lawrence Vigouroux complained that missiles were being thrown from the crowd. When asked about what happened, Matos said: "The ref brought over two [cigarette] lighters [to the fourth official]. "It's more than clear that it is not acceptable. Let's see what happens. Of course it's not right." Nevertheless, the Matos insisted he was "not here to give excuses" after Swansea dropped to sixth in the Championship having been beaten for the fourth time in five matches. The dip in form has come after the Swans lost only one of their first 10 league games this season. "What I am here to say is that with this group of players, with the effort they made and the character they have, we as a club, we will come back," Matos declared. "They will come back and we will go back to our standards."