“They took advantage of us having a man down. I saw a lack of gentleman [behaviour] in that situation because even against 10 men they weren't capable of beating us and when [Ethan] Brooks was on the ground, with nine players, they took advantage and they scored,'' Franco said.
“It didn't surprise me because in the cup we kicked the ball out because one of their players was on the ground and they kicked the ball back and went to press, so these things happen.
“From my side, when you are an underdog and the opponent needs to do these things to waste time or they celebrate like winning the World Cup — when they have to better us this way, I can only feel proud of my team.''
AmaZulu host Chippa United next at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday.
AmaZulu coach Franco accuses Pirates of unsportsmanlike behaviour
Image: Veli Nhlapo
AmaZulu coach Pablo Franco Martin felt hard done by the officiating of their 1-0 DStv Premiership defeat to Orlando Pirates at Orlando Stadium on Saturday and accused the Buccaneers of unsportsmanlike behaviour.
Ten-man AmaZulu lost to Pirates courtesy of Tshegofatso Mabasa's solitary goal in the 75th minute. Referee Cedric Muvhali dubiously red-carded AmaZulu midfielder Abbubaker Mobara in the 21st minute when he appeared to win the ball cleanly from Patrick Maswanganyi as the Bucs man was steaming towards goal.
Mobara might have been sent off for remonstrating. The red card incident irked Franco as it was the second time his team found themselves at the receiving end of questionable officiating against the Sea Robbers.
Last week Pirates beat Usuthu 4-2 in the Nedbank Cup quarterfinals where the Soweto giants were awarded a dubious penalty.
“It was more of the same within a week. We played a nice match and when we played XI vs XI we hammered them, we created the chances,'' Franco said.
“There was one team on the pitch. Everybody saw what happened. Even with one man down we were capable of containing them.
“We managed to finish the first half well and in the beginning of the first half we were dominating. We created chances but we couldn't convert.”
The Spaniard also accused Pirates, coached by Spanish compatriot Jose Riveiro, of being unsportsmanlike.
More refereeing drama as Orlando Pirates edge 10-man AmaZulu
“They took advantage of us having a man down. I saw a lack of gentleman [behaviour] in that situation because even against 10 men they weren't capable of beating us and when [Ethan] Brooks was on the ground, with nine players, they took advantage and they scored,'' Franco said.
“It didn't surprise me because in the cup we kicked the ball out because one of their players was on the ground and they kicked the ball back and went to press, so these things happen.
“From my side, when you are an underdog and the opponent needs to do these things to waste time or they celebrate like winning the World Cup — when they have to better us this way, I can only feel proud of my team.''
AmaZulu host Chippa United next at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday.
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‘We’re not respected at all,’ fumes AmaZulu coach Franco Martin about refs
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