Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso has questioned the consistency of officiating in the Premier Soccer League, suggesting his players are being unfairly targeted by referees after highlighting the club’s disciplinary record.
Cardoso believes Sundowns are receiving too many yellow cards despite dominating possession and playing what he described as positive, respectful football.
“I’m not happy seeing my players seeing so many yellow cards. It’s important that we understand that we have already in six matches, 15 yellow cards, a team like Sundowns that dominates matches after matches, go see the stats and ball possession,” he said.
Cardoso then compared Sundowns’ disciplinary record with that of their opponents, pointing to the number of cards shown in their matches against AmaZulu, Golden Arrows, Marumo Gallants, Kaizer Chiefs and Polokwane City.
“We finish with four yellow cards, AmaZulu with one, against Golden Arrows we had three, they had one – we played Marumo, one yellow card, Marumo with zero, Chiefs four-four, Polokwane two-two, but Polokwane should have had three yellow cards.
“Last year we had 53 yellow cards, Pirates had 28, we had four red cards, Pirates had zero red cards,” he said.
“The yellow cards put players out as we go through the season and these matches will speak for the championship [title].”
The Portuguese coach went as far as to suggest that officials need to pay closer attention to the way they referee Sundowns, insisting his team should not be treated as a physical or undisciplined side.
“I speak for the referees, pay attention in the way you are easily targeting my players because it’s too easy to target my players. When I received my yellow card I said it’s too easy to target my players,” Cardoso added.
“It’s not like that, it’s not like that – we play positive football, with respect. Just understand the role and the way we respect football, we’re not a bad team or bullies inside the pitch, we want to play the game.
“It’s time to understand the goal that Brayan scored, in a game that finished 5-2, he disallowed [the] goal because the referee is three meters behind and can’t make a decision.
“Let’s hope this situation can be corrected because the yellow cards will take players out [suspended] in future.”
With Sundowns competing for another league title, Cardoso wants his players to be afforded the same treatment as their opponents as the season progresses.
“We want our players to play as much as the players against the teams we fight against – the rules are the same for everybody,” he concluded.