Mariners' Okon dismayed by A-League refs
Nov 20, 2016 - 9:52 AM Paul Okon would rather have a beer with a journalist than call the A-League helpline.The Central Coast coach was left exasperated after what he believed was a handball not called by referee Jonathan Barreiro in his side's thrilling 1-1 derby draw with Newcastle on Sunday.
The Mariners held on for a share of the spoils despite playing the final 25 minutes with ten men following Liam Rose's second yellow for a handball.
Asked whether he had issue with the decision, Okon deflected to a perceived late no-call.
"There's no point me having an opinion because it doesn't count," he said.
"I asked the fourth official in the 85th minute - there was a handball from the Jets down in the corner and I asked him if it was a handball and he told me to shut up."
Okon's comments come after all four A-League games this weekend have been marred by crucial calls made by the whistleblowers.
On Friday, Western Sydney were robbed of a goal after striker Kerem Bulut was incorrectly ruled offside in their 1-1 draw with Melbourne City.
On the same day, Adelaide coach Guillermo Amor was banished to the stands after allegedly touching the fourth official during the game in his team's 3-1 win over Perth.
And on Saturday, Sydney FC defender Rhyan Grant finished their own 1-1 draw with Brisbane despite picking up what some believed to be his second yellow card of the match.
"The referee decides. If you look at every A-League game this weekend, the referees made the decisions that have impacted all four games. It happened again this afternoon," Okon said.
Okon, who also criticised the four-day turnaround they have until Thursday's clash with Perth, said there was no point bringing up any issues with A-League refereeing director Ben Wilson.
"We asked for an explanation a couple of weeks ago on the four handballs in the penalty box. You don't want to hear the answer to those explanations," Okon said.
"I'd prefer to go for a beer - me and you - and have a chat about something else, than go over the explanation as to why the referee and the linesman, who were ten metres away, didn't see the handball against the Wanderers."
Source: AAP
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