Dickies to blow whistle on ref

Posted by Jenniffer Sheldon on Monday, October 7, 2024

Ng said the club would only decide whether or not to appeal Kalkanov's sending off after reviewing Wong's official report from the game.

But a complaint about the general 'poor' standard of Wong's refereeing would be sent to the HKFA, Ng said.

'As a former referee, I have always been reluctant to criticise referees because it is a difficult job. But the referee in Sunday's match really was something to behold,' Ng said.

'At this stage, it's too early to say whether or not we will appeal Kalkanov's sending off. Until I see the referee's report, I can't make a decision. Kalkanov might have said something or done something before hand.' This is not the first time Wong has been embroiled in controversy. In 1996 he was suspended for the last three months of the season after his refereeing in the FA Cup was heavily criticised by several clubs.

In one of the games, Wong sent off four Rangers players. Later that season, the HKFA dismissed Wong's evidence during a hearing over a sending off involving Rangers' Kwok Man-tik.

Meanwhile, South China veteran defender Ku Kam-fai will be playing through the pain barrier to offset the Caroliners' chronic player shortage. Ku, who pulled his thigh muscle during training on Tuesday, will need a pain-killer injection before he plays in tonight's Ericsson League encounter against Sing Tao.

The 37-year-old has to play because another defender, Yau Kin-wai, is definitely out due to ankle injury.

And the club have not yet found a replacement for Brazilian Aurelio Da Silva, who left in December.

Team director Peter Leung Shou-chi said they were suffering from a shortage of players.

'We have a couple of players injured, while some are recovering but may not be fit enough to play the whole game,' said Leung. 'Therefore, Ku will have to play.' Former Chinese international winger Wu Qunli and utility player Sung Lin-yung have resumed normal training. Sung came on as substitute in their game against Instant-Dict last Sunday.

And Hong Kong forward Dale Tempest has been ruled fit and is likely to start tonight's game.

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