Tolu Arokodare has voiced his frustration with referees in the Eredivisie, claiming his size means defenders are sometimes allowed to hold and pull him without being punished, Footynaija reports.
The Nigerian striker made the complaint after Ajax were held to a 2-2 draw by Excelsior at the Johan Cruijff ArenA on Saturday.
Arokodare had been ill during the week and started on the bench. Míchel Sánchez introduced him in the 62nd minute after Aymen Sliti put Excelsior 2-1 ahead.
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Two minutes later, Arokodare converted Oscar Gloukh’s delivery to make it 2-2. Julian Brandt had earlier opened the scoring in the 32nd minute before Lennard Hartjes equalised in first-half stoppage time.
Arokodare, however, felt defenders were given too much freedom to stop him physically.
“It probably wasn’t the easiest goal, because I was pulled by my shirt with almost every chance. I was constantly being held, but I’m happy that I was able to score. It’s unfortunate that we didn’t win, because we had a lot of chances,” he told ESPN per AjaxLife.
The 25-year-old said he was also being pulled when he scored.
“I received the ball from Oscar Gloukh and I just needed to make contact with it. You can see in the goal that I am being pulled by my shirt. That is very frustrating. I’m not saying that opponents should leave me alone, but when you get pulled like that… They say it’s not a foul because I’m big. I think it is simply a foul.”
Arokodare said the problem occurred several times during his appearance.
“Just before the goal, you could see that I wanted to jump. I was grabbed, which prevented me from getting up. That happened two or three more times. Of course, I don’t expect it to be easy, but it is sometimes very frustrating.”
Arokodare will put his Ajax frustration aside and head for international duty as Nigeria prepare for two Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers this week.
The Wolves loanee has been included in the Super Eagles squad to face Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau.
