CAF Champions League: Patrice Beaumelle slams officiating after Esperance exit against Sundowns

Esperance head coach Patrice Beaumelle has criticised the match officials following his side’s elimination from the CAF Champions League at the hands of Mamelodi Sundowns.

The Tunisian giants arrived in South Africa needing to overturn a 1-0 first-leg deficit but suffered a repeat of that scoreline, with Brayan Leon’s first-half strike sealing Sundowns’ place in the final.

Speaking after the match, Beaumelle expressed frustration with what he described as poor officiating, insisting the referee had a damaging influence on the contest.

“Tonight, I’m very sad because I think the two teams came with very fantastic behaviour to fight and play fantastic football… it’s a pity, shame that once again referees this season killed the game,” he told SABC Sport.

“For me, it’s a disaster… I think Africa has to improve because it’s always the matter of referees. I’m very proud because it was a very good game, but in my opinion the referee was not at the level,” he added.

Beaumelle also questioned the standard of officiating in such a high-profile fixture, describing it as below expectations for a semi-final.

“To be referee at the semi-final in this event, it was very weak. It’s a pity because it was a very good game. Well done to my boys, we did a very good game and I wish best of luck to Sundowns in the final. All the decisions, it was not at the level,” he said.

Reflecting on both legs of the tie, the Esperance coach insisted his side could have taken more from the contest, pointing in particular to a disallowed goal in the first leg.

“I think it’s 1-0, 1-0. I think we scored a goal at home, it was a clear goal, and tonight in my opinion we deserved to draw or maybe to score. It was very difficult, but we had some clear chances… it’s part of football,” Beaumelle noted.

Despite the disappointment, he praised his players for their performance across both matches.