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.