Irish Ref Amid MLS Controversy As Coach Has To Be Restrained

New York Red Bulls won their derby game 2-1 against New York City FC in MLS on Sunday night.

The decisive goal came amid controversy involving Irish referee Alan Kelly.

With the game level at 1-1 in the 60th minute, the Red Bulls were initially awarded a corner by the assistant referee. However, Kelly apparently overruled that decision and awarded a throw-in.

That was taken quickly by Red Bulls with the New York City defence trotting back to defend the corner. There was no immediate pressure on the ball, allowing Red Bulls to work a cross which was headed in by Daniel Royer.

At one point, NYCFC coach Dome Torrent had to be held back by his players as he attempted to have words with Kelly.

"I said 'You made a mistake, and you know that'," Torrent said after the game.

He decided the game. I said to him 'You decided the game and you know that. You decided the game. You are not brave, you decided the game'.

What is the reason why? Maybe he made a mistake, and it's not a corner. I accept that. But when you say corner, two, three seconds and tell my player it’s a corner, it's a mistake.

Today, I'm so sorry for the soccer because it’s not fair what happened in this game. I don’t like to talk about the referees, but it's impossible not to talk about the referees tonight. Everybody knows what happened. If you have a doubt, you can watch the TV. It’s clear.

Corkman Kelly has been officiating in MLS since 2014. He was named MLS Referee of the Year in three of the past four seasons.