Real Betis manager Gabriel Calderón was furious that once more, a debatable refereeing decisions cost his team dearly, after they lost the city derby against Sevilla at the Benito Villamarín.
Real Betis manager Gabriel Calderón was furious about the refereeing, in the derby against Sevilla.
In his post-match press conference, Gabriel Calderón launched into a tirade of criticism about the performance of match referee Velasco Carballo, who dismissed full-back Juan Carlos and awarded Sevilla a penalty in the 27th minute, making the game a mountain to climb from that point onwards.
“It’s not just in derbies, I don’t think I’ve ever seen such a poor level of refereeing. I’m a FIFA qualified instructor, I’ve travelled the world and what we’re seeing in La Liga is shameful.”
“We see things constantly going against us. There is no respect for Betis. I believe in the honesty of the referees, but when you watch the games, you realise that things are always going against you.”
“Sevilla didn’t have a shot at goal, they didn’t get through our midfield until a player of ours was sent-off and the referee gifted them a goal.”
“The problem is the arrogance of the referees. They don’t have any humility and they aren’t self-critical. It’s a shame that in a league that produces such high-quality football every weekend, if they don’t want to improve, they’re not up to the same level.”
Adding to his damning criticism of the match officials, Calderón suggested that he’d been surprised with the referee, who is on the FIFA list for the World Cup and who he thinks will be an embarrassment when he’s representing Spain at this summer’s tournament.
“I had this referee four years ago in a game for Saudi Arabia and he showed a great level of performance. What he’s done today has surprised me. When there’s no self-criticism, there’s no progress. Spain isn’t going to be well represented at the World Cup.”
Asked if his team retain any glimmer of hope to avoid relegation, Calderón insisted that until they’re mathematically down, they’ll keep fighting and beyond that, simply for the honour of Betis as a club.
“After what we’ve seen today, we can’t really think about anything. We’ll defend the badge right to the end, against all the injustices and cruelties that football brings. We’ll keep going until the end, as we must do, for our fans and for the effort that the players are making.”
Calderón was then asked if he thinks he’s brought any genuine improvements to the Betis side, since his appointment as manager. The Argentine coach remains content with the effort of his players, but still seething, couldn’t avoid highlighting other games where he feels his team have been unfairly penalised by poor refereeing that has gone against them.
“That’s up to you to analyse. I see a team that plays as a team and competes equally against anyone, despite the referees. Having had a team that’s lost many players through injury, that still plays competitively whoever plays, is something to be pleased about when it comes to the players and what they give in every game. If we hadn’t lost the three points against Bilbao or Villarreal (because of referees), we’d have had five more points.”
Real Betis manager Gabriel Calderón was furious about the refereeing, in the derby against Sevilla.
In his post-match press conference, Gabriel Calderón launched into a tirade of criticism about the performance of match referee Velasco Carballo, who dismissed full-back Juan Carlos and awarded Sevilla a penalty in the 27th minute, making the game a mountain to climb from that point onwards.
“It’s not just in derbies, I don’t think I’ve ever seen such a poor level of refereeing. I’m a FIFA qualified instructor, I’ve travelled the world and what we’re seeing in La Liga is shameful.”
“We see things constantly going against us. There is no respect for Betis. I believe in the honesty of the referees, but when you watch the games, you realise that things are always going against you.”
“Sevilla didn’t have a shot at goal, they didn’t get through our midfield until a player of ours was sent-off and the referee gifted them a goal.”
“The problem is the arrogance of the referees. They don’t have any humility and they aren’t self-critical. It’s a shame that in a league that produces such high-quality football every weekend, if they don’t want to improve, they’re not up to the same level.”
Adding to his damning criticism of the match officials, Calderón suggested that he’d been surprised with the referee, who is on the FIFA list for the World Cup and who he thinks will be an embarrassment when he’s representing Spain at this summer’s tournament.
“I had this referee four years ago in a game for Saudi Arabia and he showed a great level of performance. What he’s done today has surprised me. When there’s no self-criticism, there’s no progress. Spain isn’t going to be well represented at the World Cup.”
Asked if his team retain any glimmer of hope to avoid relegation, Calderón insisted that until they’re mathematically down, they’ll keep fighting and beyond that, simply for the honour of Betis as a club.
“After what we’ve seen today, we can’t really think about anything. We’ll defend the badge right to the end, against all the injustices and cruelties that football brings. We’ll keep going until the end, as we must do, for our fans and for the effort that the players are making.”
Calderón was then asked if he thinks he’s brought any genuine improvements to the Betis side, since his appointment as manager. The Argentine coach remains content with the effort of his players, but still seething, couldn’t avoid highlighting other games where he feels his team have been unfairly penalised by poor refereeing that has gone against them.
“That’s up to you to analyse. I see a team that plays as a team and competes equally against anyone, despite the referees. Having had a team that’s lost many players through injury, that still plays competitively whoever plays, is something to be pleased about when it comes to the players and what they give in every game. If we hadn’t lost the three points against Bilbao or Villarreal (because of referees), we’d have had five more points.”