'Goal' controversy is sorry state of affairs

FEYENOORD boss Robin van Persie has claimed referee Rade Obrenovic apologised for not awarding his side a goal in the first half of their 2-0 defeat to Villa in the Europa League.

- By JOHN TOWNLEY

Tsuyoshi Watanabe was adjudged to have fouled Matty Cash in the box, before Ayase Ueda appeared to force the ball over the line, despite Villa goalkeeper Marco Bizot's best efforts.

Villa came under pressure before the break but Bizot - standing in for Emi Martinez - produced several important saves.

After the match, however, Van Persie criticised Obrenovic’s decision not to award Feyenoord the goal.

“I checked with the referee, and he said he was sorry,’ he said. “He apologised. He thought one of us was blocking an opponent. That wasn’t the case. It was a clear goal and that’s a really important decision. It was a shame and had a big influence on the game.”

Feyenoord, who are currently top of the Eredivisie after winning six of their first seven league matches, had 13 shots in total and Van Persie was pleased with their high-energy display.