Referee accountability among A-Leagues biggest issues, as Nestory Irunkanda thrives in Adelaide

The lack of accountability of referees goes under the microscope as Socceroos great ROBBIE SLATER and MARCO MONTEVERDE discuss the biggest issues in the game.

NEWCASTLE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 07: Referee Jack Morgan cgestures towards Philip Cancar of the Jets during the A-League Men round 23 match between Newcastle Jets and Sydney FC at McDonald Jones Stadium, on April 07, 2024, in Newcastle, Australia. (Photo by Scott Gardiner/Getty Images)

The lack of accountability of referees come under the microscope as Socceroos great Robbie Slater and Marco Monteverde discuss the Robert Mak’s controversial red card, along with the biggest issues in the game.

REFS NEED TO BE ACCOUNTABLE

RS: Too many refereeing decisions in the A-League this season have been poor, yet there have been no consequences because the referees’ boss Nathan Magill has been more concerned with justifying his choices of match officials and unwilling to admit that mistakes have been made.

MM: There was a classic example of a terrible decision last Sunday when Sydney FC’s Robert Mak was sent off for accidentally glancing the face of Newcastle’s Phillip Cancar when he was trying to get away from the Jets defender, who was antagonising him.

While Sydney’s complaint led to the charge being reduced from “violent conduct” to “serious unsporting conduct”, Mak still got a one-game ban and will miss Saturday’s huge derby against the Wanderers.

Referee Jack Morgan gives Robert Mak of Sydney FC a red card. Picture: Getty Images

RS: That’s one game too many.

The red card should have been rescinded and Mak should have received an apology.

Mak’s not that kind of character.

He’s literally just turned away and wanted Cancar to leave him alone.

He had no intention of making contact with the player.

I hate when a player goes down like that. Cancar should be embarrassed.

MM: Definitely. He’s given people reason to laugh at the A-League, and the whole sport, and so has Magill for not rescinding the red card.

RS: As we predicted in this week’s Tackle column. Magill has found a way to justify referee Jack Morgan’s horrendous decision.

MM: And then we had the situation where Macarthur FC star Ulises Davila received a two-match ban for grabbing the throat of Western United’s Josh Risdon.

Now I’m not condoning that he did, but no action was taken against Davila during the game and the VAR didn’t intervene.

Josh Risdon and Kane Vidmar of Western United wrestle with Raphael and Ulises Davila of Macarthur FC. Picture: Getty Images

The match review panel belatedly took action against Davila but why didn’t the VAR step in when it happened on the field.

RS: So they don’t rescind what was clearly a mistake in sending off Mak, but they go back to revisit the Davila matter that the referee and the VAR didn’t think was worthy of any punishment at all and decide that it’s worthy of a two-game ban?

MM: It’s all over the shop.

RS: Again, there are far too many bad decisions being made by referees, and they aren’t being held accountable.

And these shocking decisions and non-decisions shouldn’t happen when you have the VAR system. The game loses fans because of these things.

They’ve had enough and so have I.

There’s no credibility and no-one’s being held accountable.

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Finals battle heats up

MM: And as we touched on before, Mak’s suspension means he misses Saturday’s Sky Blues-Wanderers derby at Allianz Stadium.

It’s not ideal for Sydney FC, especially after their shock loss to Newcastle last weekend.

RS: It’s not just Sydney coming off an unexpected loss.

The Wanderers were also surprisingly beaten last Friday by the Roar.

It all adds to the importance of this derby, which should be a cracker.

The Wanderers will be desperate to redeem themselves after being beaten 4-1 at home by Sydney last month.

Wanderers teammates Jack Clisby and Jorrit Hendrix celebrate a goal against Macarthur FC. Picture: Getty Images

That was an extremely disappointing night for Marko Rudan and his team.

It also hurt Wanderers fans.

MM: There are a few important games on this weekend as we get closer to the finals.

RS: It’s very tight.

Macarthur are also searching for form, and like Sydney, are only a point ahead of the sixth-placed Wanderers.

MM: You also can’t forget Melbourne City, Brisbane Roar and Adelaide United in the battle for a top-six berth.

RS: I’d say the Roar and Adelaide are unlikely to make the six, but with City playing the Wanderers on Sunday week, they are the team I believe are still a genuine chance to finish in the top six.

Melbourne Victory are eyeing a top-two finish. Picture: Getty Images

Victory eyeing top-two spot

MM: The battle for a top-two spot will also intensify on Friday night when the Phoenix host Melbourne Victory in Wellington.

If the Victory don’t return to Melbourne with three points, their chances of breaking into the top-two will be all but over.

RS: The Phoenix will also be intent on bouncing back from their loss to Central Coast last Saturday night.

They remain firmly in the race for the Premier’s Plate and have the chance to show why against a Victory side that will be just as desperate to win.

Reds lucky to have Irankunda

MM: That’s not the only game on Friday night.

Adelaide are playing at home against Macarthur, and the Reds really need to win to remain any hope of forcing their way into the top six.

RS: Adelaide are lucky to have Nestory Irankunda playing for them.

Bayern Munich-bound Nestory Irankunda will line up for Adelaide United after not being selected for the Olyroos squad. Picture: Getty Images

Olyroos coach Tony Vidmar wanted to bring him into the squad for the under-23 Asian Cup after Marco Tilio had to withdraw because of injury, but Irankunda said no.

Other clubs aren’t happy that they have lost players to Olyroos duty and that Irankunda can play for Adelaide while the tournament is on despite saying no to selection.

MM: Apparently the reason is because the approach to Irankunda and Adelaide was “informal” rather than official.

It seems a bit messy, but if Vidmar wanted Irankunda in the squad, I can understand why some other clubs are unhappy that he can keep playing for Adelaide during the Olyroos’ under-23 Asian Cup campaign.

RS: He shouldn’t be allowed to play for Adelaide while the Olyroos are away.

He was asked to play for his country, and the answer was no, so it’s not right that Irankunda keep playing in the A-League when other clubs are missing their Olyroos representatives.

Originally published as Referee accountability among A-Leagues biggest issues, as Nestory Irunkanda thrives in Adelaide