Sead Ramovic laments ‘strange’ penalty decision in CT Spurs defeat

Referee Thabo Mkhabela had pointed to the spot when defender Tshepo Gumede appeared to have brought down striker Samir Nurkovic, but changed his mind several minutes after consulting with one of his assistants.

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Ramovic says it was yet another “strange” call from the match officials who have been under the spotlight for their errors this season.

''We wanted to play more direct to Samir, then it came to a strange situation, a penalty, for me it was a clear one. Whether it is a small or a big touch, it is a touch in the box - he touched Samir, penalty,'' said Ramovic.

While the referee is allowed to change his mind, Ramovic laments the time it took for Mkhabela to reverse the initial decision.

''Referee went in and said penalty. Everyone was ready, he then went to his assistant and said it was not a penalty. Now explain to me because I don't know the rules anymore,'' added Ramovic.

The DStv Premiership still does not have the VAR technology, which irks Ramovic even more, leading him to ask whether Mkhabela was informed he got it wrong after a “secret VAR check” by the fourth official.

''Maybe he got a call or not, because I would really like to know what are the rules, Referee says it's a penalty and  after a few minutes says it's not. But again we don't have the VAR,'' he concluded.

The TS Galaxy mentor, who watched as their four-game winning streak came to an end, insists that the match officials need more assistance.