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.”
[(Shimizu S-Pulse) Weakness]: 1. Shimizu S-Pulse are 13th in the J1 League table. Facing 2nd-placed Kashima Antlers, they will find it hard to win this match due to their declining form, indicating doubtful motivation.2. Shimizu S-Pulse defender Yuji Takahashi and forward Sena Saito will miss this league game due to injuries.3. Shimizu S-Pulse were winless with 2 draws and 3 losses in the last 5 g...
Liverpool table fresh Guehi bidAccording to The Athletic, Liverpool have submitted a fresh bid worth £35 million ($47m) to sign Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace. The Reds had earlier seen two bids rejected by the Eagles, but they remain hopeful that this time the offer will be accepted.Fenerbahce eyeing move for EdersonTurkish Super Lig giants Fenerbahce are eyeing a move for out-of-favour Manc...
Roma medical for Liverpool fullback TsimikasAS Roma are holding a medical for Kostas Tsimikas today.The Liverpool fullback is leaving Anfield after finding himself third-choice this season behind fellow left-backs Andrew Robertson and Milos Kerkez.La Gazzetta dello Sport says the Greece international is expected in Italy today to finalise his move.Tsimikas will undergo a medical ahead of signing a...
FBL-ENG-PR-CHELSEA-FULHAMMarco Silva has demanded an explanation from the Premier League after lambasting three "shocking" refereeing decisions in Fulham's 2-0 Premier League loss at Chelsea.WHAT HAPPENED?The Whites thought they had taken the lead against their west London rivals Chelsea when 18-year-old Josh King coolly slotted past Robert Sanchez. However, the goal was chalked off by referee Rob...
[(Shonan Bellmare) Strength]: 1. Shonan Bellmare are one of the bottom teams in the table, taking 25 points and being in the relegation zone. They are strongly motivated to grab points.[(Shonan Bellmare) Neutral]: 1. Shonan Bellmare drew the last 4 home games, revealing mediocre home performances.[(Shonan Bellmare) Weakness]: 1. Shonan Bellmare lost 1-0 to Fagiano Okayama on the road in the last g...
Manchester United Training Session And Press Conference - UEFA Europa League Final 2025Chelsea have completed the signing of Alejandro Garnacho from Manchester United.WHAT HAPPENED?Garnacho has signed a seven-year contract with the Blues after the two Premier League clubs agreed a deal worth a fixed £40 million fee ($54m) with a 10 per cent sell-on clause, Goal understands. The 21-year-old ha...
Marc Guehi Crystal Palace 2025-26Liverpool have launched a fresh bid for Marc Guehi as they hope that Crystal Palace will finally accept their proposal and agree to sell their star defender before the summer transfer window closes on Monday. The Reds have been linked with a move for the England international throughout the summer and the champions are determined to secure his signature.WHAT HAPPEN...
West Ham United v Lille OSC - Pre-Season FriendlyAston Villa are close to signing West Ham United midfielder Lucas Paqueta on an initial loan with an obligation to buy next summer.WHAT HAPPENED?Villa are on the brink of agreeing a £47 million (€54m/$63m) package for Paqueta which includes a loan fee and add-ons, according to Fabrizio Romano. The report also states the 28-year-old has ac...
[(Nagoya Grampus) Strength]: 1. Nagoya Grampus currently have only 28 points and are near the bottom of the league table. To avoid relegation, they need to earn points.[(Nagoya Grampus) Neutral]: 1. Nagoya Grampus' 7 successive games ended with OVER.[(Nagoya Grampus) Weakness]: 1. Nagoya Grampus lost 2-4 to Sanfrecce Hiroshima in their last Emperor's Cup game, with poor performance.2. In the lates...
Cody Gakpo Liverpool 2025Premier League champions Liverpool have confirmed that star attacker Cody Gakpo has put pen to paper on a new long-term contract, which has extended his stay at Anfield beyond 2028. The Dutchman who joined the club in January 2023, during the Jurgen Klopp era, has established himself as a regular starter under new boss Arne Slot and has now committed his future to the Reds...
