Paul Ince has launched an angry attack against Premiership referees after accusing them of taking the passion out of the game in England.

Ince was sent off in the North-East derby against Sunderland last Monday, a traditional passionate affair over the years.

Ince will sit out a three-match ban for putting his heads in Sunderland striker Niall Quinn's face, even though a week later, Robbie Keane only received a yellow card for what looked a far more serious assault on Manchester United's David Beckham

"This is a man's game, unless the FA wants us to walk out with handbags and wearing lipstick," Ince said. "Our game should be full of passion - up and down flying football and tackles flying in.

"We have to be careful not to lose that - the way referees are handing out cards like confetti is taking the passion out of the game.

"I watched the game on Monday between Blackburn and Leicester - the referee gave out eight cards when I think three were justified.

"I think sometimes referees want to be bigger than footballers. Some referees in the game now with a professional status want to try and make a name for themselves and we have to be careful about that." he added