Potters manager Tony Pulis was warned by the FA on Wednesday about his future conduct after praising the appointment of Howard Webb for their FA Cup semi-final against Bolton last month prior to the match taking place.
"I am beginning to think people are losing the plot with these things," Coates told The Sentinel. "We are all for respect for referees and officials, but let's be sensible about it all."
He added: "Managers should not be allowed to question a referee's integrity, that is always wrong, but a manager should be allowed to say if a referee has made a mistake.
"We all make mistakes - managers, players, chairmen and officials. What is wrong with saying so?"
Pulis became the third Premier League boss in quick succession to be reprimanded after Manchester United's Sir Alex Ferguson and Chelsea's Carlo Ancelotti also fell foul of new rules which prevent managers commenting on match officials before the game.
Source: PA
Source: PA