CHERRIES midfielder Harry Arter claims he is being singled out by referees due to his poor disciplinary record.

Arter is facing a second suspension of the season after picking up his fifth booking of the campaign during Cherries’ 2-2 draw at Bury on Saturday.

The 22-year-old, who was cautioned for disputing a controversial penalty decision, will be forced to sit out Cherries’ FA Cup second round clash at Carlisle.

Arter, who served a one-match ban after getting sent off during a 1-1 draw with Preston in August, has received no fewer than 20 yellow cards and one red in his past 54 appearances.

His booking at Gigg Lane came after referee Carl Boyeson had awarded Cherries a spot kick for handball and then changed his mind following consultation with his assistant.

Speaking to the Daily Echo, Arter said: “Their player handled it. He headed the ball into his hand and the referee, who was face-on, gave it. I don’t know why he consulted the linesman because he was miles away. It was a strange decision.

“He chose to book me because I was probably saying out loud what the supporters were all saying in the stand. I didn’t say anything too bad and didn’t swear or anything.

“I just asked the linesman why he had got involved. I don’t know why he convinced the referee that there hadn’t been a handball when the referee had seen it. He was a lot closer and could see it.”

Arter, who missed six games through suspension last season, added: “I have been in control of my discipline in the past few games. To get a decision like that was disappointing.

“I probably shout more than the other lads but some of them were saying the same as I was and it was only me who got booked.

“I feel I am being highlighted before a game. In a way, I have earned that reputation so it is my fault. But, in another way, it is unfair on me.”

Referee Boyeson had earlier warned Arter about his conduct when he spoke to him in the presence of Cherries captain Miles Addison.

Arter added: “The ref was saying to me during the game ‘oh, it’s you again, it’s you again’. He told me he had known about me before the game and said to nip it in the bud. I don’t know whether he had refereed a game before and I had said something to him.

“I don’t think it is fair that I am being singled out a lot more than other players. Six or seven of our players said a lot worse than I did but he decided to book me.”