17 Mar 2014

Merrick wants a revamp of match review system

8:18 am on 17 March 2014

The Wellington Phoenix football coach Ernie Merrick wants a revamp of the A-League's match review system, after his team were on the receiving end of some dubious decisions in Sunday's 2-2 draw at the Melbourne Heart.

Merrick insists defender Ben Sigmund was unlucky to be sent off for picking up two yellow cards, while they were also denied a clear penalty when Tyler Boyd's goalbound strike cannoned into the arm of a Heart defender in the box.

Merrick's also concerned with off-the-ball incidents, claiming two of his players had been elbowed in the face in their previous two matches.

He says if there was simulation or violent conduct behind the play or during play that wasn't picked up by the referee it used to be reviewed, but it doesn't seem to work that way.

Merrick says he had raised the matter with Football Federation Australia, only to receive a long return letter "similar to War and Peace".