'Bizarre decision' leaves Robson raging
Posted: Thursday November 05, 1998 04:52 PM
| |
Robson had to take off captain Nilis (above) to make way for substitute goalkeeper Wilburt Need during Wednesday's match Mike Cooper/Allsport |
KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany (Reuters) - Angry PSV
Eindhoven coach Bobby Robson said his side had again been the
victims of a bizarre refereeing decision as they lost 3-1 to
Kaiserslautern in the European Champions' League.
He was left pondering what might have been after
controversial rulings contributed both to Wednesday night's
defeat in Kaiserslautern and PSV's home reverse to the German
side two weeks earlier.
Robson saw his side take the lead in the 18th minute through
Ruud van Nistelrooij in Wednesday's group F match.
But PSV were fighting the inevitable from the 26th minute
when English referee David Elleray sent off goalkeeper Patrick
Lodewijks after a collision with Kaiserslautern's Uwe Roesler.
The decision left many observers baffled. The following day
German media could not agree on whether Lodewijks had been
dismissed for the challenge on Roesler or because the referee
believed he had handled the ball outside the penalty box.
"I think we've again been the victims of a bizarre
decision," Robson said.
Two weeks before in Eindhoven French referee Alain Sars
ruled that a late header by Juergen Rische had crossed the goal
line despite fervent protests from the home team, handing
Kaiserslautern their 2-1 victory.
PSV's two defeats to the German champions mean they have
only three points and are out of contention for a quarter-final
place. Kaiserslautern look certain to qualify, topping the group
with 10 points, five clear of HJK Helsinki.
Otto Rehhagel's side took a while on Wednesday to break down
10-man PSV's resistance but finally triumphed with second half
goals from Rische, Marco Reich and Marian Hristov.
"I'm very angry but it's now history," Robson said.
Asked if he had spoken to Elleray, the veteran coach
replied: "It was too dangerous for me to go near the referee."
The former Ipswich, Barcelona and England team boss felt he
had been dealt a double blow through the red card. He had to
take off captain and striker Luc Nilis to make way for
substitute goalkeeper Wilburt Need.
"You lose two players," he fumed. "You lose your
goalkeeper and you lose a very important player."
The intimidating atmosphere at Kaiserslautern's Betzenberg
stadium has provoked accusations in the past that referees can
be more inclined to favor the home side.
But Robson went out of his way to stress he was not blaming
anyone at Kaiserslautern.
"I wish Otto good luck for the next stage," he said.
But Rehhagel may not even need luck. The German press
reckons he could even have divine intervention on his side after
he brought on young Brazilian midfielder Junior, full name Jose
Carlos de Jesus, in the second half.
The 21-year-old was promptly involved in the build-up to all
three goals. "Thank Jesus! Otto almost through!" ran
Thursday's headline in the mass-market Bild daily.
"Sometimes there are evenings when the line between a coach
and the god of football is really buzzing. Yesterday evening
must have been one of those evenings," declared
Kaiserslautern's local newspaper, The Rheinpfalz.
Copyright 2003 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved.
| 
