West Ham star Vladimir Coufal has deleted an angry post slamming the Europa League ref but everyone agrees.
As the dust settles on the European exit to Bayer Leverkusen, West Ham have been left with a bitter taste in their mouths.
West Ham went into the second leg at the London Stadium 2-0 down.
The Hammers needed the West Ham fans to be raucous and knew they had to go at the German champions, produce one of their best performances of the season, hope for some luck and a good set of officials.
David Moyes’ side got the first three as West Ham put in a valiant performance.
But they had no luck and one of the worst refereeing performances ever seen at the stadium from Jose Maria Sanchez.
Another run in with Spanish officials for West Ham
West Ham fans made their feelings perfectly clear to the Spaniard as they chanted ‘You’re not fit to referee’ and booed the official off the field.
Moyes and Michail Antonio both criticised the referee after the game with the striker stating it was ‘like playing against 14 men, the ref and the two linos as well’.
“I felt like I didn’t get a decision all game. I felt a bit frustrated. We felt like we deserved more. Sometimes the decisions don’t go your way. We move on, build on that and try to get into the Europa League next year.
“It doesn’t feel like you’re playing against 11 men, it feels like you’re playing against 13 or 14 including the two linos. You have to keep pushing and try and make the decisions go your way, but they just weren’t.
The likes of The Express claim Antonio could now face a UEFA ban for his comments.
But after a montage of Sanchez’s contentious decisions was posted online, West Ham fans think it will be more than worth it out of principle.
Another Hammers hero watched the video compilation on social media. And he couldn’t help himself as he lambasted the official.
West Ham star Vladimir Coufal deleted his angry post slamming the Europa League ref but everyone agrees with him.
Coufal deletes angry post slamming ref
Coufal responded to the video on X stating: “This is f…g joke this “ref”.”
The right-back quickly deleted his post but not before a number of West Ham fans had seen it.
Hammers supporters absolutely loved seeing Coufal speak out, praising him for doing so.
Fans were disappointed when he deleted the comment, presumably in fear of a ban.
Many felt Coufal should have just left the post up in an act of defiance and taken any ban or fine coming his way because it would have been worth every minute and penny.
Coufal would undoubtedly have backing from West Ham coach Billy McKinlay.
Moyes’ assistant clashed with a member of Leverkusen’s coaching staff over the referee’s decisions and received a red card.
Hero Hammer should have left it up and taken ban
Meanwhile there was a melee on the pitch which started between Antonio and Jonathan Tah.
West Ham have not had much luck with UEFA officials in the Europa League.
When the Hammers were knocked out by Frankfurt in the semi-finals two years ago, another Spanish ref – Jesus Gil Manzano – delivered a similarly contentious performance.
Aaron Cresswell was sent off as was Moyes. Declan Rice was then seen on video in the tunnel accusing the official of corruption and both he and Moyes received two-game bans.
Coufal’s comments are polite if anything given what unfolded on Thursday night.
And they have only served to underline his cult hero status.
