Stewart

Rivoli United coach Bradley Stewart was livid on Sunday night after his team's 1-0 defeat to Digicel Premier League leaders Harbour View at the Harbour View Mini-Stadium, blaming poor officiating for the outcome.

He said the referee made a mistake by awarding a 90th minute penalty that cost his team the match and that authorities need to take a closer look at officials.

"What we had were two honest playing teams on the pitch, who played their hearts out. What we didn't have was honest officiating," said Stewart, whose team remained on 25 points, six shy of bottom-placed Reno.

Lost his footing

"I think everyone in the stadium would have disagreed with the referee's decision to award that penalty. The field was wet and it is clear that the player slipped and lost his footing, only for the referee to see otherwise.

"The Jamaica Football Federation Referee's Commission (JFFRC) needs to take a closer look at officials, by the use of video evidence and otherwise, and decide who should be used and who needs to be sidelined, as they are making it difficult for teams in what is already a tough competition," he added.

The play and goal in question involved Jomo Gordon, who found himself on the end of a goalmouth melee.

Gordon then tried to get the ball under control, in a bid to shoot, only to be floored, an occurence which referee Courtney Campbell said was a result of a push by a defender.

The Rivoli players and coaching staff thought otherwise and appealed the decision but this was in vain. Lovel Palmer, who, of late has become Harbour View's lead penalty taker ahead of captain Jermaine Hue, calmly converted to his team and fans' delight.

"We played different football and it worked. We tried a lot of changes, rotation, different player organisations and they adapted beautifully. We kept our nerves and believed in ourselves and the hope is that we continue to play football as we aim to stay in the lead," said a pleased Waldemar D'Oliviera, technical director of Harbour View.