Vieira blames the defeat on referee

The referee sided with Syria's al-Ittihad throughout the match let alone that he denied us two well-onside goals, Vieira told reporters.

"Sepahan would have won the match if it wasn't for the referee's mistakes which led to Sepahan's 2-1 defeat," he added.

Al-Ittihad players intentionally kicked the ball away on each and every occasion the ref blew his whistle to kill time and they were never disciplined, Vieira said.

The Brazilian coach pointed out that he had never criticized any referees throughout his entire career but the Jordanian referee's judgment forced him to speak out his mind.

Sepahan Isfahan FC's hopes for reaching the AFC Champions League quarterfinals withered after conceding defeat to Syria's al-Ittihad at Halab stadium on Wednesday.