Chow Ying Lee made a passioned public appeal to be restored to the starting line-up after the match. "I'm not sure if it had anything to do with that incident some time back, but I hope to play the full ninety against the Pies this weekend."

Grilled coach Niculae Stanca made no official reply, but a close source revealed that while that in fact had nothing to do with his decision, Chow's outburst would not help his case.