Cincinnati Kings president/owner Yacoub Abdallahi Sidya lashed out over what he termed “poor officiating” during his team’s 1-1 draw with Bermuda Hogges at the National Sports Centre (NSC) on Wednesday night.

After the final whistle, a bewildered Sidya criticised the manner in which American referee Mark Turner officiated before pointing the finger at local fourth official Anthony Mouchette for instigating the incident that resulted in his ejection from his team’s bench in the dying stages of the match.

“I think it was poor refereeing from all four officials and totally unprofessional,” said Sidya.

“They were using foul language and if it is going to be like this then we don’t want to play against Bermuda again because this is a community thing and there were kids around. That was sad for soccer and the USL.

“We came and played a good soccer game in the first half and really dominated. But we came out in the second half a bit flat and they were able to take advantage of it.”

To make matters worse the Kings boss was sent off for a heated verbal exchange involving Cincinnati coach John Pickup and fourth official Mouchette that he had no part of.

Pickup could be heard all the way from the grandstand shouting at Mouchette — who he also accused of starting the row — on the sidelines as the Kings attempted to make a late substitution.

Acting as peacemaker, Sidya stepped in between Mouchette and Pickup to try and calm matters down. However, after a brief consultation with local linesman Anthony Francis, ref Turner sent the Kings boss off instead of coach Pickup who was clearly upset with his team’s performance and was heard shouting his disapproval from the bench throughout the entire match.

“All I was doing was telling the ref that we are professionals who came here to play soccer, so please relax,” Sidya explained. “And I got thrown off for saying that.”

The Kings boss did, however, admit that his coach crossed the line and lost his cool.

“He should have received a red card . . . suspend him. That’s fine. . .. but not having an official curse you off. Two wrongs don’t make a right but hopefully when the Hogges come up to us we will treat them a lot better.”

When contacted yesterday, Mouchette denied instigating the incident but admitted that the ref sent the wrong official off the bench.

“I was only reacting to his initial comment. They wanted to make a substitute and obviously you can’t make one until the ball goes out of play. It took a while for the ball to go out of play and when there was finally a stoppage in play I said to the guy: ‘Hey partner, are you ready’? And then the coach (Pickup) just exploded,” Mouchette claimed.

“I told him that he was messing with the wrong person and as a result of that, that’s when the other guy (Sidya) came over to try and calm things down. But while I was having the conversation with the president, the guy (coach) was still yelling at me.”

As for Kings boss Sidya, Mouchette remarked: “I think Francis must have seen Sidya’s hands on me and thought otherwise. But he was actually trying to calm down the situation.

“So it should’ve been the coach (Pickup) who got sent off. He was already frustrated because his team wasn’t playing well and could be heard from the grandstand shouting at his players throughout the entire match.”