AmaZulu coach cries foul after ‘scandalous’ officiating in Pirates defeat

AmaZulu FC coach Pablo Franco Martin has reacted angrily to what he described as ‘scandalous’ officiating during their Nedbank Cup clash against Orlando Pirates on Saturday night in Durban.

Usuthu’s run in the Nedbank Cup ended in a dramatic quarter-final clash at the Moses Mabhida Stadium despite their valiant effort. They fell 4-2 to Pirates in a closely contested and entertaining match marked by contentious refereeing decisions.

A controversial penalty decision in the first half appeared to be the catalyst for Franco Martin’s criticism of the officiating. With Usuthu leading 1-0 thanks to a goal by Pule Ekstein, referee Masixole Bambiso adjudged a foul on Makhehlene Makhaula after he went down in the box following a challenge from Taariq Fielies.

However television replays suggested Makhaula may have gone to ground theatrically. Patrick Maswanganyi converted the penalty, bringing the score level at halftime.

Maswanganyi scored a brace, while Kabelo Dlamini and Makhaula also added their names to the scoresheet. Fielies scored the other goal for Usuthu.

Franco Martin Slams Refs After Usuthu NEDBANK Cup Exit

Franco Martin did not hold back as he expressed his disappointment that refereeing decisions significantly impacted the outcome of the match.

“It’s such a pity that this kind of game, which was amazing from both teams, must be decided the way it was,” said Franco Martin. I think that it’s a pity that we can not just talk about football but the events that happened.

“Do I think it was too much? [It was] a scandal. It is not the first, second, third, fourth or fifth one during the season. I think we are not respected at all. It is a huge scandal.

“I think no one is doing anything regarding what is happening in this league or this kind of games, which are decided because people who are not part of the 22-man are making decisions,” he added.

PABLO FRANCO MARTIN PROUD OF HIS AMAZULU PLAYERS

“But I have to tell you guys that I am so proud of this club, this badge, and this team. I am so proud of the way we played and competed. I am so proud of the way we stood up again after what happened in the last minute of the first half when any team or any player could have given up and not been mentally in the game again.

“We were capable of coming back against the best team in this competition in recent history. From there, I understand many things. When we reach the quarter-finals after 12 years, we can not reach the semi-finals. I understand there are many reasons, not only football reasons and it’s a pity.”

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