It was a disappointing night for St Pats as they were dumped from the Europa Conference League after a 2-0 defeat at home to CSKA Sofia.
The game looked destined for extra time as the score was level at 1-1 on aggregate, but a late penalty from Ivan Turistov secured the visitors' place in the playoff round.
It was some of the refereeing decisions that remain the talking points today, with some bizarre calls from Romanian referee Horatiu Fesnic.
St Pats' Serge Atakayi was somehow booked in the latter stages of the game for this coming together.
Insane… (only other video I went back for, I promise!) pic.twitter.com/hMWYwIQ2qF
— Conor Ward (@ConorHW) August 11, 2022
In the build up to CSKA Sofia's penalty, it looks like the ball hits the arm of one the Sofia attacker, before St Pats' Harry Brockbank was adjudged to have handled the ball inside his box.
Looked very like the CSKA player controlled the ball with his arm before the Pats handball. Free given to CSKA leading to the penalty was bizarre. pic.twitter.com/jtrw32nWPz
— Conor Ward (@ConorHW) August 11, 2022
From this angle, it's clear to see why St Pats feel hard done by, as the ball clearly strikes the Sofia player on the arm.
Clancy on refereeing decisions
St Pats' manager Tim Clancy was far from impressed with some of decisions. Speaking after full time, Clancy said:
"The second goal was really a killer. They won’t have to come out and explain why a free kick is given in front of the dugout. I have no idea why it is," said Clancy, who then moved onto the penalty incident.
"We have seen it on the video, it looks like it hits their player's hand first before it comes back onto Harry’s. Again, he’s really quick to put the whistle in his mouth and give the bigger club a decision."
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Clancy also spoke about how he tried to speak to the officials after the game for an explanation.
"I went into speak to them there but I wasn’t allowed. A lot of the decisions, any time we went near them he was blowing the whistle but our players were getting the same contact and not getting decisions."
Clancy also felt that his St Pats side matched their Bulgarian opposition over 180 minutes of action and that the penalty shouldn't have been given.
"It’s frustrating because the difference between the two teams over two legs is a penalty that shouldn’t be given and a corner.
"Over two legs we matched them. We’re not naive enough to think we’re a better team but we did well over the two legs and we were unlucky."
It was a heartbreaking way for the Richmond Park outfit to exit the competition, especially after beating CSKA Sofia in the away leg, but St Pats must concentrate on their league form now if they're to secure European football next season.
SEE ALSO: Unsavoury Scenes At Full-Time As St Pats Bow Out Of Europe After Conceding Late Penalty
