Adelaide United lost 3-0 to Melbourne Victory, had Dzengis Cavusevic sent off

ADELAIDE United defender Taylor Regan says Saturday night’s refereeing decisions didn’t cost the club three points but he was completely baffled by some key decisions.

Dzengis Cavusevic of United is shown a red card by referee Alex King.

ADELAIDE United defender Taylor Regan says Saturday night’s refereeing performance didn’t cost the club three points but he was completely baffled by some key decisions.

Adelaide lost 3-0 to Melbourne at AAMI Park, had Dzengis Cavusevic sent off for what referee Alex King deemed as an ‘R 2’ offence, nine minutes after he was introduced at halftime when he clashed with Rhys Williams.

Williams was sitting on seven cautions before the match, a card away from a ban before facing City in the derby on Friday night.

Dzengis Cavusevic of United is shown a red card by referee Alex King.

He escaped at the very least a caution when Williams pushed Cavusevic before hitting the deck theatrically which some officials would have interpreted as simulation — a bookable offence — after the Slovenian raised an open hand to his face.

It was the first time in the Slovenian’s career that he had been sent off in a league match.

“Dzengis stood up in front of the group and apologised for his actions,’’ Regan said.

“It was probably a little bit silly and heat of the moment, the little slap but to get to that and no one else be carded that’s where common sense comes into it.

“In football with VAR (video assistant referee) and all this stuff you have to get a feeling for the game. There was an incident with myself and Bes (Berisha) and neither of us got a card so I don’t see how all of a sudden one can get a red and one can get nothing.”

Cavusevic’s red card was deemed by King in the referees report as “assault on a player (e.g. violent conduct when not challenging for the ball)” according to the recommended sanctions for serious infringements in accordance with Football Federation Australia’s national disciplinary regulations and table of offences.

Regan was one of four players booked for an innocuous 78th minute incident and misses next weekend’s match against Brisbane Roar away.

He picked up his fifth card of the season which equates to an automatic ban.

Regan questioned whether a decision missed by King led to Victory’s first goal when Williams seemingly used excessive force to halt George Blackwood in the 22nd minute.

“Should there have been a free kick up the pitch earlier?,’’ Regan said.

“Potentially. Rhys Williams got the ball there is no doubting that but it’s a pretty dangerous tackle, those things happen, he’s an inexperienced ref he will learn from the mistakes and we have to learn too and we have to move on.”

King, 25, was appointed for just his sixth A-League game and now has a record of five send offs and 26 cautions.

Regan said King missed a few fouls including a Jordan O’Doherty shout for a penalty.

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