Leicester’s Rodgers criticises referee from Napoli game
Wilfred Ndidi of Leicester City (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
Leicester City manager Brendan Rodgers has criticised the referee from the Napoli match, following the Foxes surrendering a two-goal lead to the Italians.
Anyone would be disappointed with an equal outcome after being two-up. Not ro mention it being a European contest which could set a marvellous precedent and leave a club higher than a rival in a potentially tight group. And Leicester boss Rodgers was upset with his team doing exactly that.
Another element of the clash that caused Rodgers distress – but cannot be blamed for the disappointing crumbling of a winning position, as it was after the club from Naples’ comeback – was Wilfred Ndidi’s red card for a second yellow.
Ordinarily I would personally be slamming the player in question for receiving an unnecessary and childish second yellow for pulling back an opponent in injury time. However, in this case I feel Ndidi didn’t even deserve a yellow, in fact the challenge wasn’t even a foul.
What I saw was simple: no pull back, merely flailing arms from both men as they jostle. Then an unsportsmanlike improvised halt from the opponent and appeal to the referee – who was inefficient himself. This is what Rodgers said:
“I did not think the referee was very good. He [Ndidi] was unfortunate [to be sent off] and had done really well to get through the game to get to that point after the early yellow.
“He is just trying to stop the attacker. It was a little bit harsh, I didn’t think the first one was yellow. I did not think the referee was great.”
Via GOAL
Commending Leicester City backroom staff members
In the recent era, one aspect of LCFC’s success that has received less credit than usual – which is the case for this department in sport the world over – is the backroom staff. Naturally we hear criticism when a long serving employee like physiotherapist Dave Rennie leaves and a mountain of injury issues materialise, yet the good done is not always cited.
When commending the King Power outfit – chairman, hierarchy, players, training ground etcetera – Foxes of Leicester believes it also relevant and right for assistant managers and even goalkeeping coaches to be mentioned; Chris Davies and Mike Stowell. Leicester are certainly a well-run and generally organised club from top to bottom.
