Hapoel Ramat Gan Coach Massai Dago Criticizes VAR and Refereeing After Loss to Maccabi Haifa

Hapoel Ramat Gan coach Massai Dago expressed frustration with refereeing decisions following his team's 2-1 defeat to Maccabi Haifa at Sammy Ofer Stadium on August 26. After falling behind 2-0, Ramat Gan rallied in the second half, scoring a quality goal, but ultimately lost in a tense finish. A controversial penalty awarded to Maccabi Haifa in the final minutes, which was later missed by Eitan Azulay, sparked Dago's criticism of the VAR process and refereeing standards in the Israeli Premier League.

Dago questioned the six-minute VAR review that led to the penalty, calling it excessive and saying it was clear the ball was touched. He accused the referees of showing bias by issuing yellow cards disproportionately against Ramat Gan players while Maccabi Haifa players avoided second yellows despite multiple fouls. "Maccabi Haifa does not need help," Dago stated, emphasizing the need for fairness and higher officiating standards in the league.

Dago also noted his difficulty in communicating with the referee during the match, receiving a yellow card himself when attempting to discuss decisions. He acknowledged that Ramat Gan did not play well in the first half but praised his team's response and expressed respect for their next opponent, Hapoel Be'er Sheva, calling them the best team in Israel.

Ramat Gan player Maksim Plakuschenko echoed the coach's sentiments, admitting a slow start but highlighting the team's strong second-half performance and unity. He expressed hope for better results in the upcoming match against Be'er Sheva, emphasizing the team's determination and cohesion.

The match underscored ongoing concerns about VAR use and refereeing consistency in the Israeli Premier League, with calls from Ramat Gan's camp for improvements to ensure fair competition.