‘It’s unacceptable’ – Chiefs coach Nasreddine Nabi blasts match officials
Kaizer Chiefs head coach Nasreddine Nabi has launched a scathing attack on referee Eugene Mdluli, accusing the match official of unacceptable officiating during their recent match.
Nabi expressed his frustration with several decisions made by Mdluli, claiming they had a significant impact on the outcome of the Chiefs and Polokwane City FC game.
Mdluli was in charge when Chiefs lost 2-0 to Polokwane City FC in a Betway Premiership clash at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane on Sunday.
Decision-making from the man in the middle was once again under scrutiny, a recurring theme in recent PSL matches.
Nabi expressed strong dissatisfaction with the officiating, claiming his team was unfairly denied two penalty calls that could have significantly influenced the match outcome. Furthermore, Nabi argued that Thabang Matuludi should have been issued a straight red card for a dangerous tackle on Bradley Cross.
KAIZER CHIEFS COACH LEFT UNIMPRESSED BY REFEREE EUGENE MDLULI
‘It’s unacceptable. I don’t want to be given a gift. I don’t want a gift because I am sporty. I respect the opponents and the referees,” said Nabi.
“You remember the game when [Edson] Castillo got injured? You remember Castillo was ruled out for six months, and I spoke against referees. They say I am against the referees. I’m not against the referees. I respect the referees because, without referees, you don’t have football,” he added.
NASREDDINE NABI DEMANDS MATCH OFFICIALS TO PROTECT HIS PLAYERS
The Amakhosi coach went on to call on match officials to protect his players after a string of reckless challenges went unpunished.
“I stopped talking about referees. But today [Sunday]…I asked the PSL to include the analysis of our situation. Two penalties [denied], and I think my left-back is out,” said Nabi. “That foul deserved a minimum red card. It’s unacceptable. If I lost, I lost, no problem. But I don’t like to lose like that. I don’t like to lose because of referees.
“It’s not the first time. What do you want? Look at that action involving Bradley Cross when you get home. He could be out for two months. But tell me what the FIFA rules say.
“The first rule for the referees is please protect the player. How many players are in hospital? It’s unacceptable. I am not talking to protect myself because I lost. No, I am happy. The solution is clear for me.”
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