JOIN US After witnessing his side fall 0-2 to defending champions Mohun Bagan in their I-League fixture on Saturday, Bengaluru FC coach Ashley Westwood opined that it wasn't his side's performance that cost them but a host of other reasons.
Speaking at a post-match press conference, Westwood was quick to react when asked about what exactly went wrong on Saturday. “The officials, simple,” he said. “It definitely wasn't a fair game and was officiated poorly. I think we all know that.”
In a crucial tie where his side was reduced to 10 men after Lalchuanmawia was sent off for a second bookable offence, the Bengaluru coach added that despite being the better side for most of the game, they had finished second best.
“It was a tight game with not much in it. We were the better side in the first half and the first 15 minutes of the second half as well. And then the sending off happened. (There) was never a sending off. Their players committed similar offences but the referee couldn't wait to send our player off.
“We have had this referee officiate our game in the past and he was really poor then as well. I didn't see a FIFA badge so I don't know if he's experienced enough to officiate a game as big as this one,” added Westwood.
While Bagan coach Sanjoy Sen had earlier said in his post-match interview that BFC seemed over-enthusiastic and that is what probably cost them, Westwood was quick to dismiss the comments of his counterpart.
“I'm not concerned about what he says because I do not value his opinion. He has no history of being a good coach so why should I listen to what Sanjoy Sen has to say?”
Westwood also questioned how his opponents were allowed to field ineligible players.
“Jeje (Lalpekhlua) and Pronay Halder were called up to the camp for SAG but they never turned up. But no one says anything and nothing gets done here.”