City coach Morris calls on NSL referees to step up

LAE City coach Bob Morris has called on Kumul Petroleum National Soccer League (NSL) referees to step up as the competition heads into the business end of the season.
The former national men’s team coach said the referees had been “robbing” teams and were unable to control semi-professional matches.
The former Fifa-accredited referee said his side had been penalised for “no good reason” in a number of instances.
Morris said City skipper Emmanuel Simon’s goal from a direct penalty last weekend was disallowed because the ball wasn’t positioned according to the referee’s liking. “I condemn the poor actions of the referee being the controller of the match,” he said.
Morris said referees had let down fans and teams following the premature end to the match between Morobe United and Star Mountain after the referee overturned his decision to award the visitors a goal.
A similar situation was faced in the Hekari-Gulf Komara clash in Port Moresby where the referee failed to red card an ill-disciplined Komara player who alleged influenced the referee.
Morris said NSL and the Papua New Guinea Football Association needed to hold frequent referees refresher courses to maintain the quality of refereeing in the semi-professional competition.