Kerala Blasters coach Ivan Vukomanovic has come under fire once again with his opinions on the substandard refereeing in ISl. In response to his outspoken criticism of referees, AIFF imposed a one-match ban and a Rs 50,000 fine on Vukomanovic. The incident unfolded after the draw with Chennaiyin FC in ISL 2023-24, marked by contentious match-deciding errors affecting both teams.
In the post-match press conference, Vukomanovic vented his frustration, specifically citing instances that, in his view, contributed to the unfavourable outcome for Kerala Blasters. He pointed out an offside situation and a disputed second goal, expressing dissatisfaction with the referees’ perceived inaction.
Vukomanovic emphasized, “In front of the bench, the player was in an offside position, and another player influenced the goalkeeper. The referees didn’t react at that time (first goal). I’m fed up; I don’t want to talk about it anymore. Then the second goal, it’s a clear foul. How can they not see it, the linesman? All this time, we are frustrated even though we want to stay positive.”
Going beyond the immediate grievances, the coach attributed the issues to the referees’ capabilities, suggesting a systemic problem in their education and opportunities. He remarked, “These referees are not capable of managing the game, but it’s not their fault. It’s the fault of those who are educating them, and giving them a chance to be on the pitch. I’m sorry, but this year, the playoffs, trophies, whatever it is, won’t be decided by the teams. It’ll be decided by the referees. We are tired of talking about this. I hope they improve. This is killing the spirit of the game.”
Ivan Vukomanovic’s strong words not only conveyed his frustration with specific decisions during the match but also highlighted broader concerns about the overall quality of refereeing in the league. His comments indicated a lack of confidence in both the referees and the system responsible for their training and development.
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