Swallows FC coach Ernst Middendorp has revealed he was provoked by the fourth official during his side's loss to Orlando Pirates.
Swallows were hammered 4-1 by Pirates in the Original Soweto derby, with Monnapule Saleng scoring a hat-trick while Mthokozisi Shwabule scored a consolation goal for the Birds.
The German mentor alleged that the fourth official provoked him beyond what he could bear, which he has not faced before during his coaching career.
Read | Hat-trick hero Saleng fires Bucs back to winning ways
"But okay, you always hope a little bit it's possible. But in the end ja it was not. The incident with the fourth referee," Middendorp told SuperSport TV.
"I'm now 30 years in this business I haven't had really a provocation from the fourth referee following me in my box, in a way to get me out of this game.
"This is the biggest disappointment, we talk about neutrals, we talk about officials, we talk about professionals, in this direction if somebody goes after you and attack you in such a way that I have experienced today, it gives me something to think about too. It should not happen."
Middendorp says he was not pleased with the application from his players, who could not maintain the same competitive level they showed in their win over Chippa United.
"I said it before, you get a headache if you watch the (Pirates) line-up and you watch the options," he said.
"Of course, tactically well organised and analysed from their side a certain weakness on the flanks. First goal, second goal, game procedure, ja, good, we cannot now talk about, you have to do something.
"It's easier said than done. We have a little bit of a syndrome. We played a good game (against) Chippa (United) and then we get carried away. We don't keep the seriousness, the way to handle the next game with the same ambition and focus."
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