Former FIFA referee and now authoritative expert Miroslav Stupar assessed the actions of the refereeing team in the final of the Ukrainian Cup, where yesterday in the final Donetsk "Shakhtar" met Kyiv’s Dynamo (1:1, pen. — 6:5).
Miroslav Stupar— In general, referee Balakin did not spoil the game. Before the break, he, as they say, set the bar high and did not scatter yellow cards in the whirlpool of struggle. He tried to calm the passions with remarks and it only resulted in one warning — to the legionnaire of "miners" Eginald.
In a similar manner, Balakin tried to perform his duties in the second half. And he would have had no complaints if it had not been for the game episodes at the 53rd and 54th minutes. First, Donetsk resident Marlon and Kyiv resident Vanat started to clarify their relations and were justly punished with warnings. But as soon as the game resumed, for some reason Vanat pushed the Brazilian in the back. An obvious second yellow card and automatic removal of the Dynamo player from the field.
It’s hard to say why the experienced Balakin ignored this foul, fortunately for him, "Shakhtar" tilted the scales in their favor in the post-match penalty shootout, otherwise the referee would not have avoided serious obstructions from the "miners", — said Stupar.
