Dundee manager Tony Docherty claimed the decision to disallow what would have been a second goal for Antonio Portales against Motherwell was a “disgrace” after the 10-man visitors fought back to win 2-1 at Dens Park.
Portales had volleyed Dundee into a 31st-minute lead following a long throw and emulated the feat with a left-footed strike into the same top corner from the same source just before the break.
But the strike was disallowed by video assistant Callum Scott because Clark Robertson had come back from an offside position to challenge for the ball with Motherwell left-back Dom Thompson after Joe Shaughnessy had headed it forward. The ball broke to Portales off the boot of either Robertson or Thompson.
Tom Sparrow levelled in the 59th minute and Tawanda Maswanhise headed a stoppage-time winner as Motherwell refused to sit back following a VAR-assisted red card for Johnny Koutroumbis.
Docherty said: “I’m not abdicating responsibility as Dundee manager for losing the game. It’s a game we should never lose.
“But we’re in a situation now where we’ve got officials that are finding a way to disallow goals.
“There’s no doubt the opposition gets a lift from that decision. We should be going in at 2-0.
“The officials contrive to find a way to disallow that goal. So I’m hugely frustrated by that.
“This game for spectators is all about entertainment and the entertainment comes from them watching their team score goals. You’ve seen the reaction of the fans when Antonio scores his second goal there.
“I just think it’s a disgrace to have made that decision, which affects the dynamic of the game.
“They said Clark Robertson was in an offside position from the initial knock-on from the long throw. But, in my opinion, it doesn’t affect anything in the lead-up to that play that Portales hits a left-foot shot into the top corner.
“If anything, it’s Joe Shaughnessy that’s challenging the player when it drops to Portales.
“Referees don’t referee games anymore. What do linesmen do? Linesmen give throw-ins. There’s no offside decision that gets made anymore. And it’s continually getting these decisions wrong.”
Docherty admitted his side were caught on the break too often after he brought on winger Charlie Reilly following the 80th-minute red card.
“We take off a defender, we put on an attacker, we go 4-4-2,” he said. “And we shouldn’t have lost that. It’s a ridiculous goal to lose the match on and what could have been an important point.”
Motherwell manager Michael Wimmer knew his side would win following the sending-off as they sealed William Hill Premiership safety.
Wimmer, who brought on Ewan Wilson and moved to a back three after the dismissal, said: “I was sure we would win the game because I had this feeling.
“I felt this energy on the bench, on the pitch, from the spectators. So I was not scared. I had the feeling we can win.
“I’m very proud of the guys and it was not the first time that we changed the result.
“It’s a brilliant team, brilliant character and they deserve to stay in the league.”
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. PORTUGAL WIN THE UEFA NATIONS LEAGUE ON PENALTIES Nuno Mendes 😎 Anti Right Winger Morata : Me again? Congratulations Portugal & Ronaldo Kepa in Arsenal be like I am sorry. Please stay tuned on Daily Laugh. There will be more fun tomorrow!(Credit: BleacherReportFootball, Justtoonit, originaltrollfootball)...
PSG get talks underway with Bournemouth for ZabarnyiFabrizio Romano reports that PSG are determined to sign Ilya Zabarnyi this summer. While talks are underway with Bournemouth, the two clubs have not yet reached an agreement. The player remains keen to join Les Parisiens.Everton join Newcastle in race to sign GrealishEverton are interesting in acquiring the services of Manchester City outcast Jac...
WHAT HAPPENED?Napoli striker Osimhen has reportedly made up his mind on his future, and it seems like it won't include a sensational move to the Middle East. This comes from a scoop from journalist Buchi Laba, who reports that Osimhen has rejected a fifth offer from Saudi side Al-Hilal and would rather continue his career in Europe.THE BIGGER PICTURELaba claims that Osimhen is not interested in a ...
France captain Kylian Mbappe says he is satisfied with his side bouncing back from their Nations League loss to Spain in the third-placed play-off.Les Bleus finished the campaign with a win over Germany, thanks to goals from the Real Madrid star and Michael Olise.And while there was a lot to like about the French performance in Stuttgart, Mbappe took a balanced approach to things in his post-match...
WHAT HAPPENED?The German club have asked to be kept up to date on Sancho's situation, with the Man Utd outcast being touted as a possible replacement for Chelsea target Jamie Gittens, as per Sky Sports. Sancho has already re-joined the club from Manchester United once - a six-month loan spell at the end of last season - and could yet return for a third spell with the German giants. Chelsea paid a ...
Jobe Bellingham of Sunderland celebrates getting promoted back to the Premier LeagueEngland U21 midfielder Jobe Bellingham has agreed terms to leave Sunderland for Borussia Dortmund in a deal reported at around 331 million including add-ons.The Bedlington-born starlet joins the German club on a five-year contract following Sunderland's promotion to the Premier League.Dortmund has reportedly agreed...
Brian Priske has chosen to return to Sparta PragueBrian Priske has returned to Sparta Prague to take up the position as head coach, say the Czech club on their website."We are pleased to announce the appointment of our new head coach. We welcome Brian, who knows the environment in the club. We strongly believe that he will build on the successful work he has delivered in the past and help Sparta w...
Borussia Dortmund keen on signing Jadon SanchoBorussia Dortmund are weighing up a fresh move for Jadon Sancho amid uncertainty over his future at Manchester United.The Bundesliga side have requested to be kept informed about the Englishman’s status at Old Trafford, with the out-of-favour winger seen as a potential replacement for Chelsea-linked Jamie Gittens, according to Sky Sports.Sancho i...
Gravenberch names his 2025 Ballon d'Or favouriteRyan Gravenberch shared his 2025 Ballon d'Or choice, backing his Liverpool teammate Mohamed Salah to win the prestigious award.The Egypt international was the frontrunner for the 2025 Ballon d'Or during the first half of the season, topping both the goals and assists charts in the Premier League.0"That's a tough one, but I'll go for my teammate: Moha...
Uriah RennieUriah Rennie, the first black man to referee in the Premier League, has died at the age of 65.WHAT HAPPENED?In August 1997, Rennie was named as the referee for a Premier League game between Derby County and AFC Wimbledon and made history as the division's first ever black referee. He went on to officiate over 300 top-flight games across 11 years, as well as refereeing domestic cup fina...
- 1 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 2 Marcus Rashford 'grows close' to stunning semi-pro padel player
- 3 Why Premier League transfer may be off the cards for Victor Osimhen as Man Utd make 'timid' attempts to convince striker
- 4 Chukwueze reveals cause of AC Milan’s ‘disastrous’ season
- 5 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 6 FIFA confirms 34 team base camp training sites in the United States for 2025 Club World Cup, including nine in Florida and five in Calitornia
- 7 Man Utd continue to be linked with Emi Martinez
- 8 Daily Laugh - Morata : Me again?
- 9 Daily Laugh - Mbeumo and his amazing talent
- 10 Liverpool's dream transfer window with six signings including £100m striker