Official calls for quality check on refereeing

By LARRY ANDREW and PARKER TAMBUA
THE quality of refereeing in Papua New Guinea’s premier football competition, the Kumul Petroleum National Soccer League (NSL), needs to be scrutinised and improved, according an official.
Hekari United manager Vonnie Kapi Natto again raised the concern days after bringing up the matter with new PNG Football Association (PNGFA) general secretary Pius Letenge.
She expressed her disappointment after the referee overturned his decision to award Hekari a goal in their 3-0 win over the Tusbab Stallions at Lae’s Sir Ignatius Kilage Stadium on Sunday. Hekari were initially awarded the goal after Tusbab goalkeeper Jesse Mendari was adjudged to have caught the ball the inside his goalmouth but the referee reversed his decision upon a protest by the Stallions.
Kapi Natto said a lot of NSL players were “threatening” referees and it was not good for the game.
“We had a team (Star Mountain) abandon their game this season because of this kind of attitude,” she said.
“Referees have to stand firm on their decisions and follow the rules.”
“We didn’t like it but as a professional team, we had to accept and move on. I think PNGFA has to look into this. I sympathise with them (referees) to some degree but it’s not helping the clubs at all.
“I admire players coming up but they had to work hard to achieve their goals and show more respect.
“If a Hekari player did that (threaten the referee), I would’ve definitely terminated him.”