Miguel Cardoso says Mamelodi Sundowns are being unfairly targeted by referees

Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso has questioned the consistency of refereeing in the Premier Soccer League, saying his side are collecting too many yellow cards despite playing positive and respectful football.

Cardoso believes Sundowns are being treated unfairly by officials and insists they should not be viewed as a physical or undisciplined team. His concerns come after he highlighted the club’s disciplinary record in comparison with several of their opponents.

“I’m not happy seeing my players seeing so many yellow cards. It’s important that we understand that we have already in six matches, 15 yellow cards, a team like Sundowns that dominates matches after matches, go see the stats and ball possession,” he said.

The Portuguese coach then referred to Sundowns’ matches against AmaZulu, Golden Arrows, Marumo Gallants, Kaizer Chiefs and Polokwane City.

“We finish with four yellow cards, AmaZulu with one, against Golden Arrows we had three, they had one – we played Marumo, one yellow card, Marumo with zero, Chiefs four-four, Polokwane two-two, but Polokwane should have had three yellow cards.

“Last year we had 53 yellow cards, Pirates had 28, we had four red cards, Pirates had zero red cards,” he said.

Cardoso warned that the number of bookings could affect Sundowns’ prospects over the course of the campaign, with suspended players potentially missing important matches in the title race.

“The yellow cards put players out as we go through the season and these matches will speak for the championship [title].”

He called on referees to examine more closely the way they officiate Sundowns, claiming his players have become easy targets for disciplinary action.

“I speak for the referees, pay attention in the way you are easily targeting my players because it’s too easy to target my players. When I received my yellow card I said it’s too easy to target my players,” Cardoso added.

The coach said Sundowns’ approach was based on playing football positively and within the spirit of the game, rather than trying to intimidate opponents.

“It’s not like that, it’s not like that – we play positive football, with respect. Just understand the role and the way we respect football, we’re not a bad team or bullies inside the pitch, we want to play the game.

Cardoso also referred to an incident involving Brayan, whose goal was disallowed during a match Sundowns won 5-2. He questioned how the decision was reached, given the referee’s position.

“It’s time to understand the goal that Brayan scored, in a game that finished 5-2, he disallowed [the] goal because the referee is three meters behind and can’t make a decision.

“Let’s hope this situation can be corrected because the yellow cards will take players out [suspended] in future.”

With Mamelodi Sundowns competing for another league title, Cardoso said his players should receive the same treatment as those representing the teams they are challenging.

“We want our players to play as much as the players against the teams we fight against – the rules are the same for everybody,” he concluded.