Smaller clubs cop a raw deal from referees compared to larger clubs, veteran A-League coach Ernie Merrick says.
Merrick has noticed the trend since coaching Wellington Phoenix after his stint at Melbourne Victory.
“I have learnt that refs treat you differently when you are part of a smaller club,” Merrick told Fox Sports after a last-minute loss to Adelaide on Saturday.
The experienced coach later told reporters: “I have discovered though that since I have been at the Phoenix, it’s pretty tough. When you’re at the Victory, I found I had a better run, I have to say.”
Merrick questioned decisions of referee Strebre Delovski after Adelaide’s Sergio Cirio netted a 94th match-winner at Coopers Stadium.
Cirio goaled after Adelaide defender Osama Malik was awarded a dubious free kick – but Merrick says the Reds player should have been sent off by then anyway.
“I didn’t think it was a rough game but there were five yellow cards so he (the referee) set a standard on yellow cards,” Merrick said.
“But Malik took a player out and got a yellow card in the 77th minute. And he did exactly the same thing two or three minutes later and he got away with it.
“And he was the one that finished up getting a free kick at the end when it was our player (Ben) Sigmund that was actually pulled down.
“It’s tough for referees, I know that … but the standard was set right from early on. Malik does exactly the same thing but no yellow card – why? Is it too tough to send him off? I couldn’t understand that.”
Wellington copped 19 fouls to Adelaide’s 12, and three of the visitors were yellow-carded.
Merrick also suggested the A-League review possible incidents of diving in all games.
“I quite like the idea of cleaning up the game but I don’t think we need to review every single game, it’s only occasional,” he said.
langou
Roar Guru
I was thinking about this the other day. WSW got extremely lucky in the ACL final. There were multiple penalties that should have been given. Lets say it was the other way around and it was the Saudis that got lucky. All these conspiracy theories would have started about Asian not wanting an Australian team to win and small clubs not getting a raw deal ect... I would be very surprised if there is any analysis that shows that the bigger A-League clubs get a better deal. I am sure many people will point to "such and such game when such and such got an easy penalty" but very little in the way of genuine evidence.
Kasey
Guest
Nice of Ernie to admit that MBV was favoured by the refs when he was in charge, one example gifting them a championship. That season they won the premiership on goal difference. I'd be surprised if they didn't get any favourable calls that season too... ;'( awwe walk a mile in my shoes etc..:)
Batou
Guest
Everyone gets a raw deal from Strebre, he gives a very good impression of making it all up as he goes along...
Professor Rosseforp
Guest
Gee, I don't think anybody ever noticed this refereeing tendency before. I thought the Socceroos always got favourable treatment playing against star teams* -- I'm surprised that teams like Italy and Brazil haven't spoken out against the harsh treatment they receive when playing against footballing minnows. * As I've said elsewhere on The Roar, the World Cup match against Holland was about the best refereeing the Socceroos are ever likely to get -- Netherlands players were actually penalised at about the same rate as the Aussies.
Bondy
Guest
I agree I think Zelic is the best co commentator in the HAL , he takes you into the game where others can't . Boom ... The Reds deserved their win, I hope the Nix can keep consistent all season they're not that bad Merricks compiled a fairly handy squad ..
JB
Guest
How sour are those grapes?
striker
Guest
James I agree I like him much better than basher at least his not boring.
Ben of Phnom Penh
Roar Guru
I with you on this, jamesb. I quite enjoy Ned going off the rails. I find the club bias that some of the other Foxtel commentators exhibit far more annoying, particularly if their favoured club is not performing; they lose all enthusiasm for the game.
punter
Guest
Totally agree, 'he's kick that ball to next suburb' in an high exciting voice, brilliant.
Cameron
Roar Guru
I think he's actually really good, but not good at commentating. He knows football and crap but that's where it stops. He'll basically raise his voice, say something bizarre and the opposition will have only just done a throw in.
jamesb
Guest
I'll go the other way, I think Ned is fantastic ha ha. Look, when you watch so many football matches, its almost like every commentator has a similar personality, if not bland to the point. I think its OK to have a commentator like Ned around. He is unique. However, when you have more "Neds" commentating, then it may represent a problem. Put it this way, for every David Basheer, you need a Ned Zelic. You need balance.
Cameron
Roar Guru
Rd 6 Ratings Fri FTA NEWvBRI 87k Fri STV NEWvBRI 45k Sat FTA SYDvMVC 137k Sat STV ADLvWEL 59k Sat STV SYDvMVC 82k Sat STV PERvWSW 64k
Roarfan
Guest
Cameron, unfortunately there is very little opportunity to express ones opinion on these sites nowadays, except on 'The Roar'. Hopefully the others monitor this one and take note. Otherwise we need to make our views known to Foxtel management.
Roarfan
Guest
Oh, and I forgot to mention that I understand where Ernie is coming from. I tend to agree that Strebre seemed to favour Adelaide and that that particular freekick should never have been awarded. Not one of his better performances. And it also baffles me that some refs are very reluctant to hand out second yellows, unless of course you argue with them. Apparently it's ok to repeatedly foul an opponent, but the referees are sacrosanct and are not prepared to allow a player a bit of leeway when they are obviously effected by the way they or their team are being treated. I agree, the continuous arguing with referees about every decision must be stopped, but some leeway should be afforded when it is an uncharacteristic outburst. I also urge everyone to read Craig Moore's article about 'FIFA International Windows' on the Foxtel site. He makes a lot of sense.
Cameron
Roar Guru
Only thing is how do we get FoxSports to do this?
Roarfan
Guest
+ 100. I thought that Ned did quite well on SBS but he is going way over the top since he has joined Foxtel. Pease Foxtel, put somebody like John Aloisi in his place. J.A. has been an absolute revelation as an analyst at Fox and he is extremely sensible, well spoken and impartial. Another pleasure to listen to is John Kosmina whose mix of humour and proper analysis is without peer. Ned's continuous gushing over certain players and teams is becoming more annoying each broadcast.
Eraserhead
Guest
Good to know that others tire of the incessant Carrusca orgasms. Although the reality that the commentary is now 75% Carrusca focused irks me, the subversive and somewhat cunning brand of football Adelaide plays is what has established them as my least favourite fixture.
Cameron
Roar Guru
Thank goodness I wasn't the only one who noticed the annoying Ned Zelic. His commentary is cringe worthy and having to go through that as well as the diving, I don't expect many to have stay tuned in.
Chopper
Guest
I agree 100% with Cameron the Spanish influence of diving destroyed it as a spectacle for me. I also had to watch it with the sound turned down with Ned Zelic appearing to have orgasms every time Adelaide touched the ball and Carusca caressed it. Please get him to tone it down. I will admit they played well at times but so did the other team.
pete4
Guest
Losing a match at the death always hurts The Phoenix are still in the top half of the table so it's been a positive start for them this season