Washington Redskins defensive end Jason Hatcher has claimed that referees pick on the franchise because of the debate surrounding their name.

The franchise have courted long-term controversy over whether their 'Redskins' title is offensive to Native Americans, with several groups and media outlets suggesting that they should be made to change their name.

However, after Washington lost 44-16 to the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, Hatcher has suggested that the controversy is leading to referees not making calls in favour of the club during matches.

"I am not saying this out of character to get fined, but it is what it is," Hatcher told the Washington Post. "I do not know if it is about the name or what, but at the same time, we play football too.

"Do not single us out. At the end of the day, it is the name. Do not worry about the name, we are players and we work our butts off, too. I am just frustrated with it.

"We should not have to be punished for that. It has been every game, call after call that should have been made in our favour, but it goes to [the opposition]. It is just not right. We are in the league too. We go out there, and we sweat and work hard, too. I do not give a crap about the name. We are players."

The Redskins are second in the NFC East with a record of 4-6 from their first 10 matches of the season.