“The referee should be sent home just like us” – Dzeko blasts official after loss to Nigeria

Edin Dzeko has criticized referee Peter O’Leary, saying he should be sent home from the World Cup, for two mistakes that led to his country exiting the competition.
The New Zealand official incorrectly ruled out Dzeko’s first half goal for offside, although replays showed the Manchester City was at least half a yard on.
O’Leary also allowed play to continue, after Emmanuel Emenike muscled his way past Bosnia skipper Spahic, to set up Osaze Odemwingie for the winner.

“We are disappointed because I think the referee changed the game today,” Dzeko told KickOffNigeria. “The offside that he gave on my goal was never offside. And it is not small offside. It was like minimum half-a-meter there between me and the Nigeria defender, so I don’t know how he gave offside.
“The second thing, when they scored, it was definitely a foul on our captain.
“Those are the two mistakes that cost us this game and even if we know that we are going home, I think the referees should go home too because what they did today was a shame for us and a shame for this great competition.”

The defeat means Bosnia have been sent packing, leaving Nigeria and Iran to fight for the second ticket from the group in the last games. Iran will face Bosnia, while the Super Eagles come up against Argentina. Both matches will be played simultaneously on June 25.