Morocco coach not happy with officials

SAINT PETERSBURG — Morocco coach Herve Renard insisted he wouldn’t address the refereeing before, well, addressing the refereeing after Wednesday’s 1-0 loss to Portugal.

“It’s not up to me to comment on refereeing,” Renard began with a statement that would have sufficed until he continued.

“I just ask you to have a look at the replays. A foul should have been seen ... A foul occurs and it’s (Cristiano) Ronaldo who appears.”

Renard argued Portugal’s gamewinner should have been called back after Pepe, who he referred to as “No. 3,” clattered into a Moroccan defender during the corner Ronaldo scored from.

“I would like you to be frank, to write it, to have a good look at the corner kick when Portugal scores and have a good look at what No. 3 is doing and write the truth,” Renard reiterated.

Still, he lamented the number of missed opportunities that probably should have seen Morocco at least grab a share of the points.

“We should have been much more effective,” Renard said. “Just like in the very first game we had a lot of goal opportunities. This is what happens in football.”

Still without a point and goalless in Russia, Morocco exits this World Cup as, perhaps, the most impressive side to be eliminated before the group stage.

“There is one thing I’m sure of right now: The Moroccan people are very proud of its team,” Renard said.

“We were ranked No. 81. I think we are 41 now after 20 years of not qualifying for the World Cup. We’ve shown we can play football and do play football.”