New Delhi: Being frustrated with poor refereeing and the scheduling of the Federation Cup, Mahindra United coach Derrick Pereira mulled quitting football after his side were chucked out of the premier Cup competition on goal difference.
The 30th Federation Cup has been a bad memory for the Red Devils, not that they didn’t play well but for reasons off it. Several decisions went against the side including the famous volleyball style clearance by Churchill Brothers defender Naoba Singh inside the area and the club wasn’t awarded a penalty!
Moreover, the Mumbai club was made to play their last round game against Mohammedan Sporting simultaneously while Churchill Brothers faced Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
And for those who didn’t catch the Federation Cup action, Mahindra United looked a completely different outfit in the competition and had cast off all the blues of their poor I-League run. Easily, alongwith Dempo SC, they were the most impressive side with their attacking play.
Coach Derrick Pereira has every reason to be cheesed off with the system and he voiced his opinion on the same.
"I had asked my management to ask the All India Football Federation (AIFF) as to why we were made to play simultaneously while the other groups were given the leeway. There has to be some fair play.
"Had Churchill played the first game as scheduled, we would have known what we ought to do to qualify. No team would have pushed to score seven goals and that happened only because the games were held simultaneously," said the AFC Pro Licence holder.
One of the most successful Indian caches in recent times, Derrick lashed out on the poor standard of refereeing throughout the tournament which cost his side a place in the semis.
"Against Churchill Brothers, it was a horrible decision by the referee not to award us the penalty. We know that the referee was under pressure but we have suffered because of it."
Echoing the same thoughts, Mahindra United secretary R.Natrajan said, "If people on the stands could see that Naoba handled the ball and the referee couldn’t see is something which is hard to believe. There has to be a system where the referees must be given ratings as per the performance by a committee."
The Goan coach, who is currently guiding his troops in the ongoing Mumbai League, stated the Federation Cup exit was hard to take and the thought of leaving football did cross his mind.
"To be honest, I was thinking of taking sannyasa (renounce) from football. It’s very hard to take especially after our side played so well. Something has got to happen to straighten out things," said Derrick.
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