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ISL   /   FC Goa   /   Kerala Blasters   /  

Zico complains about facilities provided by Kerala Blasters; and also the refereeing standards

KERALA SCORED FROM A PENALTY following the red card to Gregory Arnolin. The game seemed to be heading for a draw when Richaryson was shown a second yellow resulting in the sending off. FC Goa defended with all their might but could not stop Kerala from scoring the winning goal.
 
Goa Coach was furious with the referee’s decisions. Zico did not hide his emotions after the game and at the post match conference said,

"The result was not bad luck. What we saw here today was a shame. These players worked the whole week and played hard. But what does the ISL do? Bring referees from New Zealand. What do New Zealanders know about football and the ISL? The Brazilian referees who came here did not have any problem with the decisions in the three games that they officiated. If you want good referees, bring them from top countries like Spain, Italy etc."

The Brazilian continued saying,

"I lost the final last year because of a Japanese referee who did not know how to officiate. Kerala did not need to do anything to win the game. They came to Goa and won the game playing football but now we come here and they do this. This is not professional"

He also said the he believed that some unreal situations were staged to add more interest to the game,

"My players suffer this kind of things. In 50 years of football, I have never seen such a disgrace to the game. It just cannot happen. You are faking situations for the fans in this stadium. They think this is real and they are happy but this is not football"

Zico did not mince his words about the poor facilities his side were provided for preparing for the game. Taking aim at the Blasters, Zico stated,

"Kerala did not give any facilities for us to practice. They did not allow us on their ground to practice. When they came to Goa, we gave them everything. Since yesterday, what has happened here is nothing but a big shame"

Kerala had their winning goal deep into added time. Zico raised questions about the nine minutes added to the second half in which the goal was scored. He went on to say,

"Everything is against us right now but we will fight till the end. We don't have the strength to fight because everything is against us. I'm sure we would be playing even now, if Kerala had not scored the winner"

The FC Goa Head Coach, apologised for being blunt in sharing his views and said,

"Sorry, I opened my hearts here. I wanted to say this."

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