Lalitpur City FC has announced it will appeal against what they claim were incorrect decisions made by referee Umesh Bidari during the Nepal Super League (NSL) Qualifier 1 match against Dhangadhi FC on Saturday. Lalitpur won the match 2-1.

Lalitpur FC players Mani Lama and Pape Diakite were shown red cards during the game, which Lalitpur argued were a result of poor refereeing.

According to Alok Joshi, the managing director of Lalitpur City FC, the team has put in significant effort to raise the competition’s standard, but the refereeing quality has not matched that effort. He claimed that two key players received red cards due to wrong decisions, and the club will be filing a strong appeal.

Despite being reduced to 10 players in the 17th minute following a straight red to Mani Lalitpur defeated Dhangadhi to advance to the final.

However, the team considers the loss of two players a major blow before the final.

The controversy started when Man was sent off after a tackle by Dhangadhi’s Mohamed El Jaaouani prompting Instead referee Bidari to send off Lama.

Referee Bidari also showed red to Lalitpur’s Pape Diakite and Dhangadhi’s Caicedo after the final whistle following a tense situation.

Refereeing in the NSL has been under repeated criticisms and controversies.