QPR boss Neil Warnock blasted Norwich City midfielder Bradley Johnson over Joey Barton's dismissal.
Warnock backed his captain and condemned the reaction of Johnson.
The QPR manager said: "He has not been headbutted at all, not in a million years. The movement of him going backwards has conned the referee.
Warnock added: "Joey could have avoided the situation, but it doesn't warrant the reaction from Johnson.
"I think we have been mugged. The ref has not even seen it."
Warnock will wait to consider whether the club will appeal to the Football Association against what is set to be a three-match ban for Barton.
He said: "When [Wolves manager] Mick McCarthy appeals and does not get that lad [Nenad Milijas] off, you have got to worry about anything appealing.
"I have not got any confidence in the appeals procedure.
"We will have to look and see what the referee says [in his report] and if there are any other angles, but from every one I have seen, I don't see a headbutt.
"But I am not optimistic. We will have to decide later.""To go back like he did was a disgrace. It's getting a fellow pro sent off. I think he should be done (punished)."