Dario Srna: "I really didn't like the refereeing in Oleksandriia, even more so in Odesa. "Shakhtar has always been for fair foot

FC Shakhtar's Sporting Director Dario Srna commented on the events of the last round of the Ukrainian league.

"I really didn't like the refereeing in Oleksandriya, and I didn't like it even more in Odesa. "Shakhtar has always been for justice, for fair football. If they make mistakes in our favour, we admit it.

Today, I don't like the way Dnipro-1's matches are refereed in a biased manner. This is also noted by experts and journalists. Therefore, I ask those responsible for refereeing in Ukraine to pay attention to this, draw conclusions and punish those referees who make gross mistakes. I believe that we need to develop young, ambitious, hungry referees, because today's refereeing is not at the level it should be.

We understand the financial problems and difficulties faced by the competition organisers. Therefore, Shakhtar is considering the possibility of purchasing a VAR system for the UPL so that VAR will work at every match next season without exception. With additional VAR, it will be much easier: it will eliminate mistakes and remove external interference in the work of the referees. It is important that all clubs are on a level playing field.

We want justice and we fight for honesty. Anyone who opposes this approach does not deserve to be in the elite of Ukrainian football and participate in the Ukrainian championship. There should be the same rules for everyone. What is happening with the refereeing now reminds me of the arbitrariness of the early 2000s. If Shakhtar wins this championship, I promise you, they will do it fairly. If it loses, it will do so only in a fair fight. We do not accept cheating and will fight against it.

I want to emphasise that the current championship is very interesting, there is a fierce fight at the top and bottom of the standings. Unfortunately, there is only one thing missing - high-quality, impartial refereeing and fair play," Srna said.