Former Wellington Phoenix coach Marko Rudan has let rip with an extraordinary rant across the Tasman, after his Western Sydney side suffered A-League defeat to Macarthur FC over the weekend.
Rudan was left fuming, after watching referee Adam Kersey make a series of contentious calls that went against his side as they suffered a controversial 4-3 loss.
The incident that pushed him over the edge occurred, when Kersey refused to issue a red card to Frenchman Valere Germain for a dangerous tackle on Wanders defender Tom Beadling. Germain would score a hattrick of goals to guide Macarthur home.
After the match, Rudan suggested the A-League was conspiring against his club during a five-minute tirade.
"This guy [Kersey]… there is a bit of history between myself and him, and he knows that very well, said Rudan. "For the life of me, how Germain stays on the pitch when he kicks out at my player in that first half, I have absolutely no idea.
"It's a retaliation, it's a clear red. It happened to my players last year, but when it does happen to my football club and my players, they don’t even think twice - it's a straight red."
Officials rubbed salt into Rudan's wounds, when they allowed Germain late matchwinner, despite doubts whether his header had crossed the goal-line, before keeper Lawrence Thomas knocked it clear.
Rudan stormed out of the press conference and Football Australia has issued a 'please-explain', with a fine or a ban sure to follow.
