Laguna FC coach hits ‘bad’ officiating in match vs Cebu

STALLIONS Laguna FC head coach Ernest Nierras Jr. is one who usually accepts defeat graciously.

But he cannot accept dismal officiating.

The veteran coach said never in his career in football has he encountered such poor officiating like that of their Philippines Football League (PFL)game against Global Cebu FC last Sunday at the Cebu City Sports Center (CCSC).

Global Cebu defeated Stallions Laguna, 3-0, in that match.

“When you have 5,000 people watching the match and its well hosted it’s always going to be a good match. I think the first half was really an even match until the referees decided to determine who is going to win the game,” said Nierras.

He said there were missed calls on hand balls that could have been converted into penalty kicks. There were also fouls, according to him, that the main referee did not call.

Yannick Tuason reportedly dislocated his right shoulder when he and Global Cebu’s Brazilian center back Wesley Dos Santos collided while trying to gain ball possession in the second half. The referee did not call any foul in that incident.

“It takes down the quality of the game to the garbage level. I am a coach who never really complains about the officiating. But today, its ridiculous. It would have been better if the referees just went to the sideline and watched the players decide the calls for themselves.”

The match was handled by referee Mich Jon Pineda along with assistants Giovanni Lachica and Merlo Albano.

The Stallions suffered its seventh loss. They have no victories yet with three draws and are second to the last in the standings.

Global Cebu is now the second best team with 20 points behind Meralco Manila Sparks, which has 23.

Global Cebu’s head coach Marjo Allado defended the referees.

“We are just human beings who makes mistakes so we focus on the game and not on the referee’s calls,” Allado said.