Eymael threatens to quit SA football over poor officiating

by Austin Ditlhobolo

Friday Nov 03, 2017. 12:00

Belgian coach Luc Eymael believes that his side, Free State Stars, are not getting a fair rub of the green from referees.

The well-travelled tactician has hinted his frustration may see him opt for a job away from the South African Absa Premiership.

Nicknamed Ea Lla Koto, Stars conceded a controversial goal five minutes from time in their 1-0 loss to Cape Town City in a league match on Wednesday.

Eymael believes that goalscorer Taariq Fielies had impeded goalkeeper Ali Sangare in the build-up, but match referee Kulasande Qongqo saw nothing wrong.

“If there was no foul on the keeper there‚ then I know nothing in football. It’s two games in a row that there is a bad decision against us‚ that’s not normal‚” Eymael said on Sowetan Live.

“I’m very disappointed about that‚ I don’t want to use words that I will perhaps regret‚ but I don’t think these things are fair.

"What I am saying about the goal is not an excuse‚ it’s a fact. I am always analysing things with honesty and with fair play.”

The former AS Vita Club and AFC Leopards coach has been linked to the vacant Uganda national team job.

“I’m receiving offers every day and I’m really thinking about things now … you know‚ to come back here … to do different things after the mistake I made at Polokwane City‚ if it’s really a mistake‚ I wanted to prove that I can take a team and do good things," he said.

"But everybody has to be fair play. Two days ago I refused an offer from a team in Algeria‚ one week ago it was Sfax [CS Sfaxien] from Tunisia.

"When I had just arrived at Free State Stars‚ [African Champions League finalists] Wydad Casablanca contacted me because they were playing against Sundowns and they knew me," he continued.

“I refused an offer from Jordan and from Libya. I would like to do a good job with Free State Stars‚ but things like that [the goal conceded against City] is not normal.

“When you see decisions like that you wonder what will happen … because you are trying to do your best. If I was coaching Cape Town [City] or Pirates‚ I would do my best‚ so you have to be fair play with the people who are working.”