Referees in Friday's A-League game between the Brisbane Roar and Melbourne Victory covered up the 'Respect' logo on their shirts, protesting comments made by Wellington Phoenix coach Mark Rudan two weeks ago.
Rudan unleashed at the video assistant referee (VAR) and referee Adam Kersey in a post-game media conference, after Ryan Lowry was wrongly red-carded, which allowed Perth Glory to score an equalising goal with the one-man advantage.
"It couldn't of been more one-sided," seethed Rudan. "I've never seen anything like it.
"It got to the point where I had to laugh. I turned around to my coaching staff - it was hilarious, a joke, an absolute joke.
"If he can sleep well at night, good on him. He's cost us, he certainly has.
"My biggest disappointment is for my players right now, because we deserved three points against the league leaders. We put on a display tonight and we deserved more."
Match officials are reportedly unhappy with Football Federation Australia's (FFA) handling of the issue, after it refused to fine Rudan for his comments about Kersey.
The league referees department's weekly post-round review decided that the correct outcome should have been a yellow card for Lowrey's reckless tackle.
That ruling didn't sit well with officials and they've decided to protest by covering the 'Respect' logos on their shirts.
On the field, Melbourne extended their winning streak to six matches, with a dramatic 4-2 win. Former Phoenix striker Kosta Barbarouses scored twice for Victory.
The Roar, who slumped to a third-straight loss, will be without marquee player Eric Bautheac for next weekend's trip to Wellington, after he was sent off in the first half.
The Frenchman was given his marching orders for shoving both Ola Toivonen and James Troisi in the face.
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