Gregory hits out at match officials
CHENNAI: Chennaiyin FC head coach John Gregory lambasted those officiating in the Indian Super League (ISL), expressing his displeasure over the quality of referees in the top-tier competition.
Pranjal Banerjee, who took charge of the CFC-FC Goa duel at Fatorda on Wednesday, committed a howler 12 minutes into the game. Chennaiyin midfielder Dragos Firtulescu was through on goal before being tripped in the box by a dashing Seriton Fernandes. Despite appeals from the
Romanian and other members of the club, Pranjal didn’t point to the spot.
Although the spot-kick would have made little difference to the 0-3 humbling, Englishman Gregory is furious with the call. “The referee and the linesman did not make the decision (to give the penalty), it was unbelievable. I watched the replay after the game and I was raging. It was a clear-cut penalty,” said an animated Gregory, ahead of CFC’s first home clash against Mumbai City FC.
The 65-year-old feels the officials get away from blunders far too easily in India, which is still miles behind the elite nations. “If the referee were to make such a decision in Europe, he would never get to officiate at the top level again. He would be banished to lower-tier matches. It’s not the same here. We will probably see the same referee again this weekend,” added the manager.
The Indian national team has taken giant steps in recent years courtesy the talent that have been coming through via the ISL. According to Gregory, everything apart from the calibre of refereeing has become better over the years. “The league has improved in so many ways, be it the tactical knowledge the coaches have brought or the standard of the Indian players. The foreigners have also made the teams (and ISL) better. But unfortunately, that’s not the case with the officials.”
‘Need three points’
Manager Gregory revealed his players are eager to make an impression in front of the local supporters. “We will be playing our first home match (on Sunday). I don’t care how we win, we need three points. The boys are up for it,” he stated.
Anirudh Thapa, Nerijus Valskis and Rafael Crivellaro came on as substitutes in the last contest against Goa and the chief looks impressed by their cameo performances. The former Aston Villa head coach hinted he will make at least an alteration to the eleven against Mumbai City.