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

Wilfried Zaha wants more protection against opponents who are deliberately fouling him (Reuters)

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 (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 (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."