Adelaide United coach Carl Veart has suggested he should complain more about the performances of referees following the Reds’ 1-0 loss to Melbourne Victory.
Veart’s comments came after attacker Mohamed Toure was forced from the field on Saturday, suffering a dislocated shoulder after tangling with a pair of Victory defenders on 21 minutes.
The incident, which happened close to the touchline in front of referee Alex King and his assistant, went unpunished, frustrating the Adelaide coach.
“He’s dislocated the shoulder,” Veart said.
“You can see on the replay, the player, how he has got hold of his arm and pulled it right back like that, right in front of the referee and linesman and nothing.
“Our players get booked for little things all season. Maybe I need to start complaining about the referees more like the other coaches do and maybe we’ll get a little bit better rub of the green.
“You can look at all season, we’ve been harshly dealt with. I think we’ve had more yellow cards than anyone else in the A-League.
“Maybe we have to (speak to the A-League referees’ boss), that’s what I’m saying, maybe I need to complain more because we don’t complain.”
Toure joins Adelaide’s ever-growing list of injuries, with Lachlan Barr and Zach Clough both late withdrawals.
COVID sidelined Ryan Kitto, Bernardo and George Blackwood on the eve of the match with the undermanned Reds forced to plug holes heading into the clash.
“We lost three players yesterday after training with COVID,” Veart said.
“I take my hat off to the players that came in. We worked on certain things this week then have to change on such short notice (which) was difficult.
“It’s gone right through the club this week – it’s nearly wiped out the whole office staff this week.”
Victory coach Tony Popovic was delighted with the win, acknowledging his side were made to work for the points.
The visitors were resolute and disciplined in the final stages, holding off a desperate Adelaide side in search of an equaliser.
“Today was a big result,” he said.
“Nothing changes here in Adelaide. You’ve got to earn it; they make you earn it and they don’t stop coming.
“And with the support and the fans it’s always tough, the last 15-20 minutes if you haven’t put them away with the chances you’ve had.”