Zico blasts ISL referees; threatens to return to Brazil
FC Goa manager Zico has lambasted the match officials in Indian Super League (ISL), following his team's 1-1 draw against FC Pune City on Friday. The Brazilian legend threatened to leave home for Brazil if refereeing standards do not improve.
In a bizarre incident during the game between Goa and Pune, the referee awarded a free kick to Goa after Pune midfielder Didier Zokora made a terrible challenge on Leo Moura. But instead of booking the Ivorian for the offense, the referee inexplicably showed a yellow card to Pune striker Kalu Uche, who was no where near the incident.
Zico pointed out this incident in his post-match interview, along with a couple of other events where he felt that his team had been singled out by the match officials. The Brazilian legend said, “Haven't you seen what happened? Everything has gone against FC Goa, it looked like we were playing against four teams. Everything is against us- is it just me who saw that when Gregory’s shot hit the opposition's defender inside the box?
“The aggressor against Leo Moura, he (Zokora) didn't even get a yellow card, the other player (Uche) got the card. If you want to do something against me, don’t do it against Goa. Since the beginning of the season, they (the officials) are doing this. If this continues, I can go home. I just don't want them to do anything against Goa.”
The Goa manager went on to put forward a list of mistakes by the officials in the seven games they have played so far, and threatened to leave the league if the standards do not improve.
“It is very difficult for us because this is not the first time decisions have gone against us. I am not asking help from the referee, I just want justice. If you carry on this way, I will go back home. Sabeeth's goal against Chennai, penalties against Chennai, Jofre's injury against NorthEast United, goal scored with a hand by Piquionne in Mumbai, they broke Duffy's leg and today another fracture could have happened with Leo Moura.
“I can show it to you, if there is anything that has benefited us or has gone in our favour. If they don't want me here, I can go home, I just don’t want them to do these kind of things with Goa and the fans who come to watch the games to return home with disappointment,” Zico added.
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