Referee got it wrong, says Dzeko

Replays showed that New Zealand referee Peter O´Leary and his line judge had got this decision wrong, with the Manchester City star clearly onside.

By (AFP)

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Published: Mon 23 Jun 2014, 12:12 PM

Last updated: Fri 3 Apr 2015, 5:32 PM

Bosnia-Hercegovina were sent packing from the World Cup on Saturday, and striker Eden Dzeko laid the blame for their first round exit on the “shameful” referee in charge of the 1-0 loss to Nigeria in Cuiaba.

The Group F fixture was played out in stamina-sapping tropical conditions but Dzeko´s blood was boiling not from the clammy 30 degree temperature, but because of his first half goal disallowed for offside.

Replays showed that New Zealand referee Peter O´Leary and his line judge had got this decision wrong, with the Manchester City star clearly onside.

His fellow English Premier League player, Stoke City´s Peter Odemwingie, gave Nigeria the decisive goal shortly after, which left the pointless tournament debutants heading home after their closing game against Iran next Wednesday.

Before boarding the team bus at the Arena Pantanal a disconsolate Dzeko, who hit the woodwork in stoppage time, vented his spleen against what he perceived as the massive injustice O´Leary had inflicted on the Balkan side.


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