JE Sports Desk:  Indian football team head coach Igor Stimac once again received a red card during their last group game against Kuwait in the SAFF Championship 2023 on Tuesday.

The game ended in a 1-1 draw as India finished second to Kuwait in group A with the latter having a better goal difference.

However, the assistant coach Mahesh Gawli has lashed onto the referee as he criticised the decision against Stimac who was sent off in the opening game as well against Pakistan.

“Igor Stimac did nothing wrong [today]. It was very bad refereeing, and if you continue using such referees in the SAFF Cup, the standards will drop. SAFF has to think about this referee because there were quality teams today, and he should have controlled [the match], but he did not,” Gawli said.

Stimac received a yellow card in the 61st minute which turned into a red one 20 minutes later when the referees had a chat with each other about the Indian coach's behavior on the sidelines.

“I don’t know about the second one [the red card]. We were there, but I could not hear anything. The fourth official called the referee and just asked him to show him the card. A Kuwaiti player was saying bad words to the coach [Stimac], but the referee did not see anything. He abused, but only our coach got the red card. It is not right,” Gawli added.

“That was the referee’s decision. He could have avoided showing the red card. He knew everything that had happened. Our coach did not say anything to them.”

Stmiac served a one-match suspension after the first game and wasn't available for Sunil Chhetri's side for the game against Nepal.

Meanwhile, the Croatian put his views on being given a red card against Pakistan and said that he will continue to do so in order to protect his players.

“You can hate or love me for my actions yesterday, but I am a warrior, and I will do it again when needed to protect our boys on the pitch against unjustified decisions," Stimac had tweeted.

Talking about the match, India took the lead just before the end of the first half when Chhetri bagged a remarkable volley into the back of the net.

Anwar Ali was very unfortunate to score an own goal as the game ended in a 1-1 draw with both teams having already qualified for the semifinal.