Ipswich Town manager Paul Jewell on defensive after claims he made sexist remark directed at female official Jewell said after the match, in response to the comment 'I think everyone to a man thought it was a penalty': "Unfortunately to every man, but not a woman. Although the referee didn't have a good view, I thought the lineswoman, or whatever she's called, had a great view. I didn't suggest in any way that the official made a mistake because she was a woman. I don't think what I said was sexist and will argue all day long with anyone that says it is. Jewell said his remark about "a lineswoman, or whatever she's called" was "a reference to the officials who run the line now being known as assistant referees." He added: "I'm not expecting any comeback from the authorities and would be disappointed if there is but if that arrives, I will defend it vehemently and will have the full support of the club in doing that." Jewell has the support of Ipswich chief executive Simon Clegg who has listened to the tape of the press conference. Alan Leighton, national secretary of the union Prospect, insisted however that Jewell was wrong to mention Fearn's gender. "The comments are clearly sexist and there is no place for them in football," said Leighton. They are sexist because they are based on her gender rather than her performance as an official. If she had been a man clearly there wouldn't have been comments made about the gender of the individual concerned.