PAULO BENTO has blasted Anthony Taylor for lacking “common sense” as their row took a fresh twist.
South Korea’s Portuguese boss must sit out Friday’s crunch clash with his home nation as punishment for being sent off in the previous game.
Bento confronted Premier League official Taylor for blowing the final whistle while his team prepared to take a corner as they desperately looked for an equaliser in the 3-2 defeat to Ghana.
Bento said: “I reacted maybe not in the best way but it was the response of someone who is human and makes mistakes.
“Maybe the way I did it was a mistake but this was at a time when we had good reason.
“It was an unfair decision (not to let them take the corner) and also one that reveals a deep lack of common sense.”
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Bento will travel to the stadium with his players but must then wave them goodbye and sit in the stands.
The former Portugal international added: “It won’t impact us much. I have worked with these players for a long time and the coaches.
“Quite often they make decisions during matches anyway, such as substitutions. They are independent and this is all in line with our work.”
South Korea face an uphill battle to make it out of the group stage in Qatar.
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Firstly, they must beat group leaders Portugal and they must then hope results go their way in the hotly anticipated clash between Ghana and Uruguay.
Son Heung-Min and Co could be boosted by a rotated Portugal team given they have already confirmed their progression out of the group.
But given the powerful swing of momentum at the World Cup, Portugal will likely still play a number of their big guns.
Cristiano Ronaldo missed training earlier this week ahead of the clash amid speculation he has been offered a record-breaking wage to move to Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
