Ealedona unhappy with calls

Kumul Petroleum National Soccer League (NSL) Southern Conference runners-up Eastern Stars have expressed dissatisfaction over the consistency in refereeing during their clash with Hekari United.
After losing 2-0 at the PNG Football Stadium on Sunday, the Stars are calling on the NSL management to change the officials for their home leg of the home-and-way series on Saturday.
In a statement yesterday, the Stars said for the good of the game, the NSL must bring in neutral referees.
“Everybody saw that the middle referee, Hilary Ani, was incompetent,” Stars deputy chairman Joseph Ealedona said.
“He made unfair decisions, giving a red card to our player who was elbowed and even held by the neck while the Hekari player was given a yellow card.
“Our player, Greg Togubai, was tripped inside the 18-yard box and play continue when he should have been given a penalty.
“We, franchises, spend money and therefore we call on the refereeing authorities to discipline him and also his fourth official for turning blind eye.”
Ealedona claimed supporters were provoked by many of the on-field decisions.
When contacted, manager Leslie Babaga said it was not the NSL’s duty to change or appoint new officials but assured that they would look into the concern.
Babaga said the NSL board’s was to only approve match officials appointed by the refereeing committee.
“Allocations are done in the referees’ section. I have advised them (Stars) that the case of Hilary Ani would be considered.
“They have the right to speak but at the moment, I cannot give an instant call whether the officials will be sidelined.”