Marco Silva calls on referees not to 'make an example' of Watford ahead of Crystal Palace clash

Marco Silva has called on Premier League referees not to ‘make an example’ of Watford, having appealed against Marvin Zeegelaar’s red card at Burnley.

The Dutch full-back was sent off as Watford lost 1-0 in Saturday's Premier League clash, and has been hit with a three-match suspension.

Watford have appealed against the decision in a bid to have the 27-year-old available for Tuesday's league trip to Crystal Palace.

"I don't have doubts about the red card. It was very harsh, I can't say more," Silva told reporters at a press conference.

"It's better I just say it with these two words; for me it had a big influence on the match. At that moment the team were playing well - we were there to get a good result and compete. That moment had a big influence on the result.

"I saw two matches in the afternoon yesterday, the Liverpool and Manchester derbies, I saw more than one incident like the Zeegelaar one, and it was a yellow card every time.

"It needs to be equal for everyone - not making an example of one team.

"The Premier League is a tough league, don't make an example out of Watford.

"In the big matches, the big derbies, it's a tough game and a big game, you need to equal it with the others.

"Our game was two teams competing really hard but respecting each other. It was a fair game.

"The referee had a big influence and for me, it's not fair. We're appealing because we don't feel it is fair."

Additional reporting by the Press Association.