Koeman: In La Liga, Referees Send You Off For No Reason

Ronald Koeman (Twitter @FCBarcelona)

JAKARTA - Ronald Koeman was disappointed by Frenkie de Jong's red card during Barcelona's 0-0 draw against Cadiz on Thursday night.

At the end of the match, the Dutch coach even had to be expelled by the referee for questioning the De Jong incident. He was also sentenced to two games cannot accompany his foster children.

"They kicked you out for no reason in this country," Koeman grumbled, according to MARCA. "Everyone saw that there were two balls on the pitch (before De Jong hit Alfonso Espino) except the referee.

"That's proof. I told the fourth official that there were two balls on the pitch, but (the referee) sent you off for no reason here."

Koeman was aware that his team needed to win the game soon, but was coy when asked about his future.

"You can't just look at the results, but also the attitude and execution," said Koeman. "I can't complain.

"We had four or five chances that we didn't take, and for that reason I'm not happy. I am happy with the attitude of the players.

"The president is at the hotel and we greet each other. There are days where we can talk, if the club wants to talk."

Many have removed Barcelona's name from the list of challengers for the La Liga title, but the Dutchman has not given up.

"You always have to try to win every game," said Koeman. "You have to try to win titles but you have to be realistic and we have lost a lot."

Manager @RonaldKoeman discusses Barça's draw at Cádiz: pic.twitter.com/pPOrUB6el6

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) September 23, 2021

Despite playing with 10 men in the second half, Koeman was pleased that Barcelona had improved after the break.

"We improved because our opponents were tired," said Koeman. "We had chances but didn't take them.

"Our opponents denied it physically, and Frenkie being sent off complicated us," he concluded.