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Middendorp in referee rant

INCENSED : United's Ernst Middendorp
INCENSED : United's Ernst Middendorp

MARITZBURG United coach Ernst Middendorp is livid that successive games were refereed by Victor Gomes - who handed out three red cards in four days to the KwaZulu-Natal-based club.

"At first I thought it was a joke. How is something like this possible?" asked the taciturn German of the appointment of Gomes to handle their home defeat by Platinum Stars on Tuesday and then a 1-0 loss away at Ajax Cape Town on Friday. "To have the same referee twice in four days is not right."

Gomes sent off United's centre-back Mohamed Awal on Tuesday. "He (Gomes) was a disaster on Tuesday. Then we arrive at the Ajax match to find he is in charge again. That took so much energy out of my players before the game even started."

Gomes sent off assistant coach Ronnie Kanalelo and a medical staff member in the first half of the game against Ajax, which United lost to a late goal from Toriq Losper.

"I'm sure we'll have him when we play Orlando Pirates in 10 days time," Middendorp added sarcastically. "It's just not right."

Ajax coach Jan Pruijn said he told his players before kickoff not to dispute any of the referee's decisions for fear of provoking a card from the official.

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