Albion boss Gus Poyet has protested his innocence after he was sent-off in Portugal last night.

The Uruguayan was ordered from the dugout by the Portuguese referee during the first half of the Seagulls’ 1-0 defeat against top flight French side Paris Saint-Germain.

Poyet was upset by the inconsistency of the refereeing in Albion’s opening two friendlies on the Algarve and had his say when Alan Navarro was booked for pulling an opponent’s shirt.

It was his first offence and yet the night before Tottenham defender Nathan Byrne escaped punishment, despite repeatedly fouling winger Kazenga LuaLua.

Poyet, who watched the rest of the first half from the tunnel and the second half from the main stand, claimed: “It was a misunderstanding. I am not going to comment on what I said or what he said.

“I said something to him in Spanish and he took it really personally. I just tried to explain to him but he wanted to show he was the one in charge.

“It’s no problem. The team plays the same. I don’t need to be on the touchline shouting at players what and what not to do, because we are a very good team.

“I’m just pleased the players didn’t take it the wrong way and kept calm.

Tempers flared again at the final whistle as Nene, PSG’s hot-headed Brazilian goalscorer, clashed with Poyet’s assistant Mauricio Taricco.

Poyet explained: “I was talking to the referee again, trying to explain what I had said to him earlier, then Nene came over and pulled Tano. When you are Brazilain and you are next to an Argentinian and Uruguayan you don’t do that.”

Poyet is ready to offer Navarro terms after the injury-hit midfielder was invited back to pre-season training with Albion. “We are going to talk to him this week or next week,” he said. “I think he has been very good, the Navs that we know.”