Take the richest football league in the world... Consider hundreds of millions of pounds of investment at risk to clubs threatened by relegation.... Consider hundreds of millions of pounds of investment at risk to clubs that don't qualify for the Champions League... Who are the only individuals who can directly affect critical results on the pitch? Are our match officials beyond corruption?
We dont have any italian match officials, so I don't think they're corrupt. Inept. Useless. Not fit for purpose. Yes. Corrupt, no.
Talking of conspiracy theories, I would say that if I was cynical a top London club being beaten by a low London club fighting against relegation that happened twice in the last few weeks suggests collusion. But I am not cynical so I won't.
I don't think our match officials are corrupt. For a start, they're too well-rewarded. I think they have an incredibly difficult job, and generally do it very well.
You think it suggests collusion, rather than being a reflection of the competitive nature of sport, and especially the Premier League? Wow. That level of cynicism must hurt you inside.
Isn't there a whole thread already set aside for this type of stuff? (...not corrupt, but likely a product of unconscious bias)
I know English match officials are above suspicion and would never succumb to corruption (no matter what the rewards. After all we're not Italians are we? However the odd decision like Cahill trying to sweep the ball away from his goal line to avoid a corner at Stamford Bridge. The linesman was watching the ball intently from about 3 yards away and kept his flag by his side. Unfortunately the swept ball went straight to Niasse who would have had a clear run into the box apart from the fact that the linesman's flag was then lifted to signify the corner. There was a significant time gap between the two actions and the linesman didn't change his original decision until he saw the resulting situation. That's just an example. We all know it happens all the time and we all know those type of decisions very rarely go in favour of clubs in our position, but of course as I mentioned English match officials are above suspicion.
I don't think they are corrupt, but of course it is possible , if somebody waved a couple of million under my nose I would at least listen to what they had to say
Haven't read all the comments, but it's more likely corrupted by players. The people they mix with and spreadbetting. The officials are less easy to 'get to' and somewhat less important. They don't have the lifestyle or frequent the places players and agents do.
I'm sure you're right about spread betting and a player (or players) can influence the outcome of games, but some referee's decisions are suspicious (to say the least) and I don't see why a referee should be above suspicion.
You're right, in terms of success or failure for clubs the officials are hugely influential. I was just thinking about money to be made on betting.