Wilfried Zaha asks ‘will I have to get my leg broken’ before referees protect him by sending-off opponents

The Crystal Palace forward has hit out at officials after claiming he is being deliberately fouled ‘every week’ that will leave him seriously injured unless something is done about it

Jack de Menezes
Sunday 16 September 2018 08:55 BST
Comments
Wilfried Zaha wants more protection against opponents who are deliberately fouling him
Wilfried Zaha wants more protection against opponents who are deliberately fouling him (Reuters)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Wilfried Zaha has criticised referees for the level of protection he is given as the Crystal Palace forward questioned what will it take for an opponent to be sent-off for constantly fouling him, asking “will I have to get my leg broken?”

The 25-year-old was involved in an incident with Huddersfield Town defender Mathias Jorgensen during Palace’s 1-0 victory on Saturday, and reacted angrily towards the Danish centre-back that brought a telling off from referee Lee Mason.

Jorgensen was booked for his part in the clash, but Zaha spoke out after scoring the winning goal to claim that he is being deliberately hacked “every week” by opponents and pleaded for referees to give him more protection.

"I feel like before anyone gets a red I'd have to get my leg broken or something. That's why I lose my head," Zaha told the BBC.

"Why am I getting different treatment from other players?

"It makes you not want to go on a run because someone will come through the back of you, and it doesn't allow you to express yourself.

"At the same time, I have to let my feet do the talking which I did today."

The Palace forward fears he will be seriously injured before he is protected
The Palace forward fears he will be seriously injured before he is protected (Reuters)

Zaha has faced criticism in the past for diving, but claimed that opponents attempt to get him booked and subsequently banned for simulation when he is genuinely fouled.

But just two minutes after his clash with Jorgensen, Zaha fouled Florent Hadergjonaj and was shown a yellow card of his own, which explained his admission that he is growing frustrated with how referees are judging him.

Zaha claimed that his frustration leads to him lashing out at opponents after being fouled
Zaha claimed that his frustration leads to him lashing out at opponents after being fouled (Getty)

There is not much more that Zaha can do other than speak out publicly about his apparent mistreatment, having already spoken to officials to try and change their way of thinking.

"I have tried to speak to referees," Zaha said. "There's nothing I can do any more."

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in