Egyptian midfielder Hosni Abd-Rabou said on Thursday that he sometimes loses his temper because referees provoke him.
Abd-Rabou, who plays for Dubai-based club Ahli on loan from Ismaili, is often criticized for his impulsive demeanor on the pitch.
The talented schemer usually picks up unnecessary yellow cards that tarnish his reputation.
But he believes that he shouldn t get too much blame for his conduct.
Sometimes the players become nervous because they want to perform well and help their teams in crucial moments, Abd-Rabou told Ahli s official website.
And amid such feelings, referees provoke players by talking to them in an inappropriate way. The result is that they fail to control their temper.
If the referees behave well, the players will behave well.
Abd-Rabou failed to live up to expectations in his early days with Ahli after joining last summer on a two-season loan deal. Ahli fans jeered him more than once as future looked ominous for the 24-year-old.
But he lately rediscovered the form that saw him named the 2008 African Cup of Nations best player.
I wasn t good because I had to play out of position. I prefer to play as a central midfielder.
The fans jeers negatively affected my displays but I realized that I should play well to win them over, and that is what happened afterwards.
Abd-Rabou claimed last month that two English clubs were interested in signing him at the end of the season.
But he now says that he will see out his deal with Ahli, who lie on top of the UAE League table.
Several clubs contacted me in January regarding a possible move but I decided to remain at Ahli until the loan ends, he added.
Abd-Rabou scored nine goals for Ahli so far in all competitions.
