Following Tivoli Gardens FC’s dramatic elimination from the Jamaica Premier League, Head Coach Jerome Waite didn’t hold back in his criticism of the match officials after his team ended the second-leg contest at Sabina Park with nine players.

Despite drawing 1-1 on Monday night, Tivoli Gardens lost 2-3 on aggregate.

Substitute Brian Brown netted for Montego Bay United in the 86th minute, while Malik Cocking did likewise for Tivoli Gardens in the 90+3.

“Referee determines what transpires,” said a livid Waite, after watching his goalkeeper Nicholas Clarke and striker Lennox Russell pick up red cards late in the second half.

To make matters worse, Demario Phillips of Montego Bay United was voted Player of the Match, and Waite said he shouldn’t have played because he believes the midfielder should have been red-carded in the first leg.

“You watch the first game that the referee determines what transpires. As a result of that, that’s the same boy who gets the man of the match now. He shouldn’t even be playing,” he explained.

“The level of indiscipline cost us the game. Outside of that, we still need to know what can be done about these local referees. They really need to step up,” he pointed out.

“But, the thing is, I would love to know what is it everybody [has] against Tivoli Gardens?” asked Waite.

With Montego Bay advancing, they will face the might of Mount Pleasant FA in the semi-final set for Thursday in Catherine Hall, St James.

Montego Bay Head Coach Paul “Tegat” Davis thought his team made the quarter-final play-off tie difficult for themselves.

“Honestly, you reach a point in football where you have to be more clinical. You have to be more organised,” he pointed out.

Davis, a lethal striker in his playing days for club and country, expects they will have a hard time against Mount Pleasant, the number one seeded team in Jamaica.

“It’s gonna be difficult for them too, it’s not a one-sided thing. I mean, it’s a good team. So, we have to just monitor the football some more,” said Davis.