Miguel Cardoso urges referees to stop ‘targeting’ Mamelodi Sundowns players

Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso has called on referees to reconsider their treatment of his players, claiming the club are being unfairly targeted for yellow cards in the Betway Premiership.

Cardoso said Sundowns’ disciplinary record compared unfavourably with those of other leading clubs and warned that suspensions could have a significant impact later in the season, particularly as the title race becomes more intense.

The Portuguese coach raised the issue after Sundowns’ 5-2 victory over AmaZulu at Loftus Stadium on Wednesday. He said the club had already collected 15 yellow cards in six matches.

“I am just not happy seeing my players receive so many yellow cards. I think it’s important that we understand that we already have in six matches 15 yellow cards,” he revealed.

Cardoso argued that the number of bookings did not reflect Sundowns’ style of play or their dominance of possession. He also compared their disciplinary totals in recent matches with the cards shown to their opponents.

“A team like Sundowns that dominates matches after matches. You go see the stats to see how much ball possession we have and we finish with four yellow cards and AmaZulu with one. We played with Golden Arrows and finish with three and Golden Arrows with one. We played Marumo, and got one yellow card and Marumo zero. Chiefs was four-four. Polokwane it was two-two, but Polokwane should have had not one but three yellow cards,” Cardoso told media after the win.

He then referred to last season’s figures, saying Sundowns had been booked far more often than Orlando Pirates and had also received four red cards, compared with none for the Buccaneers.

“Just for you to understand, last year we had 53 yellow cards and Pirates had 28. We had four red cards and Pirates had zero. The yellow cards put players out as we go through the championship and those matches in the front will speak for this championship.

Cardoso said suspensions caused by accumulated bookings could deprive teams of important players during decisive fixtures. He made a direct appeal to match officials to pay closer attention to the way they assess challenges involving Sundowns players.

“It’s important that we have, and I speak for the referees please, pay attention on the way we are so easily coming to target my players. Because it’s too easy to target my players. When I receive my yellow card, that’s what I go to the referee for. We are a team that plays positive football with respect. Just understand the role and the way we play the game and how we respect football. We are not a bad team or bullies inside the pitch. It’s time to understand. Let’s hope this situation can be corrected because the yellow cards will take players out in the front.”

Sundowns will return to action this weekend against Golden Arrows in the second leg of their MTN8 semi-final in KZN.