The Premier League Thread

It's simple. As I say to players when I referee at a weekend...


...If you blaze a sitter over and I hear you say to yourself "oh **** sake!" or "you twat!" it's different to...


..."you ****ing old ****" or "you ****ing useless ****er". That's then aimed at someone, and isn't one word either.

It's then a tirade against an individual. If that was said to anyone loudly, be it fan, manager or fellow player - I'd put a discipline report in.


The first one, I would overhear and ignore, as I believe the circumstances are different. If it became excessive, continuous, or loud, I'd have a word.

 

But how do we raise standards? I have been critical of referees but accept that they do a difficult job, for which they are given ongoing training as the game evolves and the rules change and importantly player's behaviours change. Still we have no premier league standard referees who have played the game at a senior level unlike Rugby Union or Cricket. Both these sports have access to review. There was some talk of fast tracking ex pros a few years ago but it appears to have fizzled out, so we are left with those who have climbed the leagues, little of which prepares them for the highest level, practicing under ever increasing scrutiny and making decisions that can have catastrophic financial consequences. I know FiFa resists any changes to the way the game is administered, it is the ultimate conservative, (please note with a small c), institution but sooner or later if referees continue to make such obvious mistakes they should have recourse to technology to help them. The ref at Newcastle yesterday could have asked the 4th official who would access to instant replays, 'Is there any reason why I should not award a goal?' It happens in Rugby Union every week...

Yesterdays game at

 

No offence was taken by Pellegrini.

 

Not sure I consider that a get out card either, to be honest.

What sort of precedent does that set? How does that filter down to Sunday League level?


"It's okay to hurl abuse at someone, just make sure you pick someone who will say they weren't offended by it."


The point stands, it's a bad example and totally goes against any concept of 'RESPECT' in the game.

 

I think it is in this case. People just take these sorts of things way too far, and blow them out of proportion. This is not a personal attack towards you, just to those who think we are living in an another era, and with the expectation that everyone goes around holding hands with each other and being friends.
Swearing happens. Whether it's directed to someone or not. Most times, it isn't meant with any malice. It is just said in reaction. That was the case here.

Also, nobody knows what Pellegrini might have said to Pardew. It is all said in the heat of the moment, and these things go all the time, and everywhere. He apologised. That apology was accepted. Good night Vienna.

 

Of referees, you don't. Officials are no worse than they were 50 years ago when football was first regularly televised. They are possibly having to be better, as football has changed from a major contact sport to one where contact is measured by intent. Since then they have lived under increasing scrutiny. What needs to be done is to have a cultural shift in football, from the belief that the man in the middle is the absolute decision maker, and therefore has to be as close to infallible as possible, to one where he can arrive at a decision, knowing full well that it is the correct one, rather than believing it to be correct on the balance of his competency.

Personally, I don't think football clubs are going to stand for game changing incorrect decisions much longer, and if FIFA are not investigating the possibilities of where to go on this then they'd better start real soon. One day, a club or country, that has a big enough profile, is going to lose a title or trophy due to a game changing incorrect decision. Major game changing incorrect decisions have already happened in the past, but these days it is entirely possible to eradicate them.

I notice that the phrase... it all evens out over a season... has been dropped from the pundit phrasebook these days. It was never true, just convenient.

 

It was a personal attack on Pellegrini...not a general cry of outrage. I think it was a dreadful thing to say because 1. the worst swear word 2. it was a personal attack and 3. it was using the word 'old' as an insult. I think what you say when angry indicates who you are. Don't care if Pellegrini accepted his apology....Pardew should be given at least a warning.

 

He was. http://www1.skysports.com/football/...eague-newcastle-boss-alan-pardew-warned-by-fa

 

Think she meant a formal warning.

 

Don't mind what they call it as long as is made clear publically that it is unacceptable. If I had a doubt before, I now know, that despite his smile, Pardew is an unpleasant man.

 

Can you come to my under 13s games on Sunday please and explain to the boys that the RESPECT campaign I have been trying to drill into them for five years (at the bequest of the FA - and because I believe it is right) is, in fact, utter bollox?

 

just seen this.

someone find me a head shaking smilie please.

please log in to view this image

TSS Edit: I think I can manage that. Will that do..? ^

FLT edit: Thanks

 

Why? Nothing too unreasonable there.

 

It pretty much is utter bollox in my opinion, because the standard of officiating isn't good. Poor officiating, leads to unhappy players/managers/supporters, which leads to criticism of referees, which leads to FA charges, which leads to fines/suspensions, and a general feeling of frustration towards each other.

 

see my post earlier Al. Pardew saying what he allegedly said to Pellegrini is appalling and the FA need to hammer him otherwise it makes a mockery of their RESPECT campaign, which is about respecting, your team mates, your coach, your fans, the officials, the opponents players, supporters, coaches and staff. No matter what happens in normal life, these guys sit in the spot light. The FA ask people like me to install and follow this campaign yet Pardew can do this and get away with it?

I wonder if I say that to the ref this sunday at my under 13s game, if I can cite Alan Pardew as an example in my defence and say "it happens all the time"

 

but that doesn't make the abuse ok, or do you think it does? Can you imagine the standard of referring at ou level? Still doesn't mean I can abuse people.

 

ASTON VILLA: Guzan; Lowton, Clark, Vlaar, Baker, Luna; El-Ahmadi, Westwood, Delph; Agbonlahor, Benteke.


ARSENAL: Szczesny; Sagna, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal; Flamini, Wilshere; Gnabry, Ozil, Cazorla; Giroud.

 

One would hate to think that the FA have looked at the provocation which resulted in Pardew's outburst and thought... well, he's been punished enough by an incorrect decision.

Much as I might empathise with Pardew's frustration, he simply cannot come out with language of that nature in the potential full glare of the media. Despite his apology, I think the FA have set themselves a precedent which will come back to haunt them, by being lenient.

 

Not saying it makes it ok, but it justifies it. My point is if the standard of the officials were better, there would be greater respect.

 

No there wouldn't.