IFK Norrköping lost points in the final minutes against AIK yesterday after not receiving a penalty at the position 2-2, shortly after AIK's equalizer on penalty.
Afterwards, Norrköping's Simon Thern was furious about the refereeing effort - which referee base Stefan Johannesson is now commenting on.
- I can not say what people are allowed to say and not say, but I do not think it is respectful to say what he says.
It's not okay anywhere.
I would probably never go out and say what I think of him as a player, says Johannesson to SVT Sport.
Can he be punished in any way?
- No.
It is not a criminal case, not a personal attack.
It is more of a generalization where he thinks that Swedish judges are under all criticism and you have the right to think so.
Then you can present things in a different way.
"Had also been pissed"
Thern said he sees two options - hire international judges or implement VAR.
Johannesson answers that.
- That's really what all leagues say, that they want other referees.
It may be in the nature of things.
We might also want La Liga referees in Sweden.
But do you agree with Thern that the assessments were unfair?
- That can be discussed until the end of the day.
I understand the frustration when you have been exposed and now I have not decided, but Norrköping may have had ... If you take the situation yesterday, I understand that you get angry.
Of course I would be too, says Johannesson and continues:
- However, the statement, from what I understand, does not come immediately after the final signal.
It is one thing to say it in pure frustration, but now it took a while and then you should have had time to think about what you say and how you express yourself.