Another week, another dispute over officials in the League of Ireland Premier Division.
Marc Bircham's Blues went to Tallaght Stadium for the daunting task of Shamrock Rovers. Last weekend the Blues played out a 1-all draw with Dundalk at the RSC, with a goal created for the visiting team after a free-kick was given and the rolling ball was struck in for the opening goal of the game.
Bircham voiced his frustrations at the time that the goal should not have being allowed to stand if the officials had done their just properly.
It's a rolling ball on a free-kick. Going into them [the referee] at the end, he said he seen it. If he didn't see it, fair enough, but one of the team should see it.
It's wrong. Twice, and he's hit it. You'd be disappointed seeing that at U14 football
That game was also marred with a Dundalk handball not been blown near the end of the game, which should have resulted in a free kick for Bircham's team.
With Dundalk still nipping at Waterford's heels, Bircham will be acutely aware that every point matters at this moment, and taking one off the league leaders could prove crucial by the time the season ends.
The two-nil result leaves his team in ninth and with Dundalk facing bottom side Longford Town this evening their position could look a lot worse come tomorrow.
The Londoner was not able to hold back his frustrations when speaking to Matt Keane after last night's game.
I don't want to keep going on about it, but they make me want to give up football. We've got to be honest; how that's a free kick for the goal? I've seen it on the replay Eddie's come out and blocked it by sliding on the floor, hands by his face, blokes blasted two yards from him - That's a free kick? I can't see it.
Shane Griffin nearly broke his ankle, because he said our play kicked him but he's about to have a shot. Their players come in and tackled him from behind.
Refereeing decisions aside, it wasn't the only part of the official's performance that left Bircham disillusioned. When Eddie Nolan attempted to challenge the referee on the handball, its been reported by Greg Halford that he was told to go post it on Twitter.
Right this is the last one. I have to word this very carefully so I don't get into trouble. I'm not having a go at the ref or the FAI but when I ref doesn't give us blatant freekicks or throw ins or anything like that and we ask "how is that not ours?' And the referees reply is..
— Greg Halford (@GregHalford15) September 10, 2021
But this can't keep happening. All the players heard him say it tonight and no doubt hes gonna deny the allegations. So that says 11 players are liars which defo isn't the case. We're fighting for our lives here and we're playing with 1 arm tied behind our backs....
— Greg Halford (@GregHalford15) September 10, 2021
With the players commenting that the referee had made this statement to Nolan, the manager was incensed when the game finished.
What he's allegedly said to one of our players, it's like you got preconceived idea of players by saying it and then I've gone in there and he played nice called all my players lies, which I'm not happy about. I'm either not happy with my players because I've got a team full of liars or the ref's lying.
With Bircham lashing the officials in the post-game interview, it remains to be seen if the club will pursue any satisfaction from the ordeal, but Bircham has previously made it known that he doesn't see any benefit in going through the appeals process as decisions are rarely - if ever - overturned.
I'm gonna swallow it. I'm gonna not go to the ref's committee because it does nothing. I'm not gonna appeal it. I'm just gonna get on with it for next week. Because what's the point?
