Jose Mourinho said referees are afraid to give Chelsea decisions after his side's defeat to Southampton at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.
The Blues have won just once in five Premier League matches and, allied to stuttering form in Europe, their current slump has now extended beyond a blip.
Willian fired Mourinho's side in front against Southampton, but the visitors responded well through Steven Davis, Sadio Mane and Graziano Pelle to put the game beyond the hosts.
Mourinho, however, was keen to pick out an incident early in the second period, with the score level at 1-1, when Radamel Falcao went to ground in the box after contact from Maarten Stekelenburg.
The Blues boss pointed to the incident as an example of referees' fear to make big decisions in favour of Chelsea.
"I think you know me, I don't run away from responsibility," Mourinho told Sky Sports after watching his side fall to defeat.
"First of all, because we are in such a bad moment, you shouldn't be afraid to be honest.
"when you are so down, it is time to be a little bit honest and say referees are afraid to give decisions to Chelsea.
"At 1-1 [Falcao was brought down]; huge penalty and once more, we don't get it.
"If the FA wants to punish me, they can. I want to repeat because I think the players deserve it, Chelsea fans deserve it."
"Referees are afraid to give decisions for chelsea. Why? Because when they give there is always a question mark from you [the media]. We are always punished."
