Cardiff City boss has replacement ref theory as ‘big call’ set to be appealed from Coventry City game
Coventry City opposition view from CoventryLive as we take a look at what Cardiff manager Omer Riza had to say about the 1-1 draw with the Sky Blues
Cardiff City are to appeal their red card against Coventry City, with manager Omer Riza claiming the “moment got to the referee” after he stepped in for the starting official due to a first half injury.
James Durkin had to replace designated ref Geoff Eltringham in the opening 20 minutes after he pulled up, unable to continue. Durkin, who had never refereed a Championship game before, sent Callum Robinson off for violent conduct after raising an arm to Bobby Thomas and catching him in the face a minute after the Sky Blues scored their equaliser through Tatsuhiro Sakamoto at the start of the second half.
Cardiff had controlled the first half and took a one-goal lead into the break thanks to Alex Robertson’s early strike, and Riza later claimed that the occasion might have got to the replacement match official when he reduced he Bluebirds to ten men.
“I’m frustrated,” Riza said. “I think we dominated the first half and had good control. My only one question for the players was that we could have punished a bit more, took the opportunities we created and put the game to bed.
“Second half, the goal that was conceded was cheap. We get muscled off the ball too easily and it’s rebounded and scored from right after half-time when we’d had a good first half. We worked so hard so that’s disappointing
“Then to get the red card – and for me it wasn’t a red card. If anyone thinks that’s a red card then I’m a monkey’s uncle. The arm is up, he has caught him, yellow card, yes. No malice in it at all. All due respect to the referee, it’s his first Championship game. The moment maybe got to him and he wanted to make a big call and it was the wrong one. It’s something we have to deal with.
“The resilience the players showed in the second half to fight and stay in the – and create big opportunities to score, like Ollie (Tanner) and Yak (Yakou Meite), it’s credit to them. I think it’s a big point.
“I spoke to the referees and told them what I told you. I don’t hide anything. I spoke honestly and respectfully. The referee thought he saw it, when he looks back I think he’ll look at it differently. I am hoping that will get overturned. I would like to appeal it.”
