Linfield conceded two penalties and had Matthew Fitzpatrick sent off in dramatic first leg at Tolka Park
David Healy was left to question several refereeing decisions as Linfield slipped to a 3-1 defeat in the first leg of their Conference League play-off against Shelbourne.
Healy blasted referee Vassilis Fotias as he produced a red card for Matthew Fitzpatrick only 18 minutes into the tie at Tolka Park.
The Blues boss felt the Greek official should have given himself more time before sending Fitzpatrick off claiming there was no intention in the striker’s challenge on Milan Mbeng.
Healy was also frustrated with the award of a penalty for handball against Kyle McClean, which Mipo Odubeko subsequently skied over the bar.
Although he did concede the officials got it right to penalise Ben Hall for his challenge on Odubeko on the stroke of half-time which Harry Woods converted to put the hosts one up on the night.
“I don’t want to be sat here blaming the officials but I thought one or two decisions were created by them,” he said.
“Matthew Fitzpatrick does not see Mbeng. Yeah he catches him but there’s zero intention to hurt the player…he’s looking the other way.
“Yes he’s caught him but he’s going to stick his foot out as he’s trying to receive the ball, but as soon as he turns around there’s a collision.
“I don’t think the referee gives himself enough time to think about it, he makes the decision very, very quickly.
“When you’re down to 10 men against any opposition in European football for 70-odd minutes it’s going to be a challenge.
“I don’t think they were out of their depth, I just thought there were decision that if they had given a bit more consideration to it might have been more beneficial to my side.
“Ben Hall’s foul on Mipo is a penalty, but Kyle McClean’s for the handball…I watch so many games nowadays and I am mystified and baffled about some of the decisions given for handball.
“Something needs to change. Kyle is sliding in to block a challenge what does he want him to do? Do we need to start practicing in training sliding under a small tent to keep our arms in? It’s impossible.
“When you slide in your body moves. So I thought that was a poor decision. Then did Paddy Barrett intentionally stop a goal on the line?
“For me in what I have seen he puts his hand up and stops Sam Roscoe from scoring so it’s the consistency for me.”
