Manolo Marquez: Yellow was fair but fourth official is not VAR
One of the big talking points of the game was Sanjeev Stalin’s booking, which referee Harish Kundu after consulting with the assistant referee had changed his initial Red into a yellow card
Hyderabad FC and Mumbai City FC faced off in a highly anticipated match, with both teams looking to secure the top spot. The match eventually ended in a 1-1 draw, with Jorge Diaz of Mumbai City FC scoring a penalty in the first half, and Hitesh Sharma of Hyderabad FC equalizing in the second half. However, the most talked about moment of the match was the 42nd-minute foul on Rohit Danu by Sanjeev Stalin of Mumbai City FC.
Initially, the referee seemed to be pulling out a red card, but after consulting with the assistant referee, a yellow card was shown instead. This decision was met with some controversy, as many believed it should have been a red card, considering Rohit Danu was through on goal and Sanjeev Stalin was the last defender.
However, Hyderabad FC Coach Manolo Roca did agree with the final decision of the yellow card, stating that it would have been difficult for Rohit Danu to reach the ball even without the foul. “In my opinion, it was a yellow card because the ball was arriving directly to goalkeeper Phurba Lechenpa even without the foul. So from my position, Yellow was fair because it would have been difficult for my player Rohit Danu to reach the ball anyways”
However, Roca did question the method on how the decision was overturned, pointing out that the fourth umpire suggested the change in decision. “The question is if you show a red card, you shouldn’t change it because of the fourth referee. The fourth referee is not VAR because if the fourth referee says it’s not a red card, then in every game this has to be done. For example, the other day when Odisha scored their first goal Mauricio was offside then the Official has to say it is not a goal he is offside.”
Roca further added that this inconsistency in the involvement of the fourth official is what he doesn’t understand. “In some games, the fourth official gets involved and in some, he is not, this is what I don’t understand.”
Earlier in the game, there was another dubious decision when in the Mumbai attack, Chhangte played a pin-point cross to Bipin Singh, whose goal-bound header got blocked by Nikhil Poojary’s hand. Despite there being sufficient grounds for the Referee to show a red card, he chose a lenient approach and only issued him a yellow card while granting a penalty for Islanders.
Refereeing has been a major issue in the Indian Super League (ISL) in recent years, with several blunders in key games affecting the outcome. Fans have been calling for the introduction of VAR or foreign referees to help improve the standard of officiating. It will be interesting to see how the Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL) responds to this issue going forward.
In the end, the 1-1 draw between Hyderabad FC and Mumbai City FC was perhaps a fair reflection of the game but the closely contested match with its controversial moments has once again sparked debates about the standard of refereeing in the ISL.
Also Read: Hat-trick of substitutes as India run riot against Bhutan
Also Read: Respect and courage, the cornerstones of India U-20 Women’s Team
MFA / MFA Elite Premier League
MYJ-GMSC Completes Unbeaten Season with Draw Against Millat FC
Kartik Strike in the first half seize’s MYJ-GMSC their unbeaten debut season in MFA Premier League In a high-octane Clash at the MFA Premier League, MYJ-GMSC faced off against Millat…
Maharashtra Squad for Swami Vivekananda U20 National Football Championship announced
Maharashtra Squad for Swami Vivekananda U20 National Football Championship announced Maharashtra State U-20 Men’s Football Team which will participate in the Swami Vivekananda U-20 Men’s National Football Championship to be…
MFA / MFA Elite Premier League
MH Oranje FC finish runner-up in Mumbai Premier League
Aimar Adam’s second-half brace secures MH Oranje FC a 2-0 win over MIllat as they finish Runner-Up of Mumbai Premier League 2023-24 season. In a closely contested match in the…
Subrata Pal: The playing standard of the Reliance Foundation Development League has improved with every passing year
Anticipation mounts as Reliance Foundation Development League 2023-24 semi-finalists set the stage for the National Championship – Mumbai, May 6, 2024: The Reliance Foundation Development League (RFDL) 2023-24 gears up for…
Mumbai City FC crowned ISL Cup Winners after remarkable 3-1 comeback win against Mohun Bagan Super Giant
Mumbai City FC crowned ISL Cup Winners Kolkata, May 4: Mumbai City FC beat Mohun Bagan Super Giant 3-1 at the Salt Lake Stadium to emerge as the Indian Super…
MFA / MFA Elite Premier League
MH Oranje FC Seals Penultimate Game with Thrilling 2-1 Win Over Reliance FYC
Yogesh Kadam’s First-Half Brace Propels MH Oranje FC Toward a Strong Season Finish. MH Oranje FC clinched a significant 2-1 win over Reliance FYC in the penultimate game of the…
SSE BFC to conduct trials for U9 to U17 age group players
SSE BFC Soccer School will be conducting fresh trials this month for players aged below 17 to be part of their football program SSE BFC Soccer Schools is a football…
India Khelo Football Season 3 Trials for Mumbai and Thane are here
India Khelo Football (IKF) is back with Season 3 of its widely acclaimed trials with an aim to cover more than 50 cities this time around. After the resounding success…
Feature / Recommended / Trials
Mastering the Art of Football Trials: Key Pre-Trial Factors to Keep in Mind
Football trials are a critical juncture for aspiring players to showcase their skills and secure a spot in a team. To maximize your chances of success, it’s essential to tailor your approach based on your playing position as well as keeping in mind a few pre-trial factors.
Somaiya Sports Academy to conduct trials for MFA 2nd Division campaign
Somaiya Sports Academy is looking for passionate young football players for the Somaiya Sports Academy Football Team to compete in the MFA 2nd Division League 2023-2024. If selected, you will…
BFC Soccer Schools – Mumbai to conduct trials for U14 & U16 Girls
The BFC Soccer Schools Elite team girls’ trials are coming up in search of talented players from the U14 to U16 (Born 2009 and after) age groups into the club’s…
Opportunity to make the team: U.K.M. Kothrud FC conducts selection trials for girls team
Pune-based U.K.M. Kothrud FC has announced that they will be conducting selection trials for their girl’s team on 15th January 2023 The club welcomes all players to come and showcase…
The Sunday Football League Season 4 is back
The Sunday Football League is back with its fourth season, and it’s shaping up to be the best one yet. With eight talented teams competing at the Kes Kandivali turf, there…
BFC Soccer Schools Elite team trials in Feb
Bengaluru FC launched their Mumbai program last season with the Soccer Schools and Elite programs with its local partner Soccer Schools of Excellence (SSE). Bengaluru Football Club is a professional club…
India Khelo Football Season 2 Trials in Mumbai: A Chance to Kickstart Your Football Career
After conducting trials in 34 cities & villages across India, India Khelo Football is coming to Mumbai to hunt talent on 7th January. India Khelo Football kickstarted its season 2…
MFA / MFA Elite Premier League / Trials
Mumbai Customs to conduct trials for Elite League
Former champions Mumbai Customs will be holding open trials for the upcoming MFA Elite Corporate League (Elite Division) The 2019 MFA Elite Division champions Mumbai Customs are conducting open trials…