AFFA official: "We cannot accept such disrespectful behavior"

Frank De Bleker, chairman of the AFFA Referees Committee, commented on the controversial episodes in the match "Neftchi" - "Sabah" (1:1) held in the 19th round of the Misli Premier League. Sport24.az reports that he assessed the work of the representatives of justice as follows:

"65th minute: Possible penalty episode: "Sabah"'s striker number 88 (Khayal Aliyev) enters the penalty area and throws the ball in front of him. "Neftchi"'s defender number 44 (Yuri Matias) makes contact with his shoulder during the fight for the ball and the striker falls. The referee continues the game. This situation involves "upper body" contact, and in such cases, the intervention line is high. There must be high-intensity contact to award a penalty. But in that episode, the shoulder contact was weak. We support the referee's decision to continue the game.

However, after the yellow card given to "Neftchi"'s player number 44 for unsportsmanlike conduct, his disrespectful "sarcastic applause" is unacceptable. This is a clear expression of discontent with gestures and should definitely have been punished with a second yellow card. We cannot accept such disrespectful behavior that undermines the authority of the referee. It is necessary to protect the image and integrity of football. This is a message to everyone who loves and respects football."