Awal Mohammed was sent of in Platinum Stars game

Maritzburg United coach Ernst Middendorp has slammed referee Victor Gomez for sending off defender Awal Mohammed in the loss to Platinum Stars.

The 24-year-old was shown a straight red in the 50^th minute of the game – his first of the season as Maritzburg fell 1-0 at home to the Crocodiles in the PSL match played on December 4.

But Middendorp insists the sending off of the yet-to-be Ghana international was dubious while taking exclusive aim at referee Gomez.

“The red card to Awal was a deliberate attempt to weaken our side by Gomez, he did not deserve even a yellow card in the tackle,” he told the club’s official website.

“I do not know why he always wants to officiate our matches; the red card to Awal was his third to us in our last two games he has officiated.”

The German trainer believes the system is set up to frustrate other sides from breaking the duopoly of Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates in the league.

“They don’t want any team to break the monopoly of Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs so they will always do things to bring your team down,” Middendopr added.

Awal joined The Team of Choice at the start of this season from Ghana Premier League champions Asante Kotoko.

He is part of Ghana’s provisional 26-man squad for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa.