A genuine question (( ignore the fact that I'm enjoying Watford losing to Man City -- it's actually a pity that BOTH the teams can't lose the match !! )) Watford defender, Hughes, clearly gets a touch ( a reasonable one ), a split second before Sterling makes contact with the foot of Hughes (( because the ball, by now has been diverted away from Sterling ). The Referee ( the infamous anti-Spurs fan, Michael Oliver ), then awards a penalty - WHY ? If VAR is going to the Nth degree to declare that a player's shirt label - sticking out - is in an offside position ---- then surely, if a defender has played the ball before the attacker then arrives on the scene - How can the referee deem any contact to be a penalty --- VAR really can't have it both ways. The Sky pundits are saying that Hughes should have complained --- but that's not the point of VAR -- or have I got it wrong (NO ! )
I also think it was a penalty - but- if I play Devils Advocate... If offside can be given if a player's split hair end is in front of the defender, then the opposite principle should apply when a defender plays the ball before contact with a forward - how can it be right that a defender is penalised when the forward arrives "late" - the same latitude is not given if a forward arrives at the ball a nanosecond too early, and his foreskin is deemed offside.
Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes..........which will be the odd one out ? Next season, with which body part will goalkeepers be deemed as committing an offence ? ---- OK, it's not a trivia question ! From next season, if a goalkeeper saves a penalty, and any part of his feet are reviewed as being in front of the goal line,when the kick is taken, then the kick will be retaken --- but NOT if the kick hits the woodwork, or if it goes in row z.................. So, let me get this right -- The goalkeeper ( usually 6 ft + ), with arms extended, could have his fingertips close on 10 feet in front of the line - and that would be alright...... So.... Why are players allowed to have much of their feet well in front of the throw-in line when they chuck the ball ? -- and the ridiculous placement of the ball ( in !) the corner quadrant - and why are players allowed to stand almost fully in front of the vanishing spray when they form a wall for a free kick --- what is the difference between this type of free kick, and a penalty - where the player taking the kick places the ball as far forward of the spot as he possible can ! .......................oh well, it won't be bothering us in L1.
VAR -- Handballs** ? - I refer to what Jim Royle would say......... ... ** one of the syllables is correct !
brb - I am bent over - ready for my punishment ! (( I could have said that I regret what I wished for ))..... .... I know that you're not a fan of VAR. I wasn't expecting it to be perfect -- but hoped that it could be used to combat the cheating that has plagued football --- and if that meant multiple number of penalties each game, then so be it............. what I didn't expect was the rules , and interpretation to be changed to ridiculous proportions. Some of the so-called handball incidents this season have been beyond belief -- and, quite frankly, is making me not wanting to bother watching some available games -- I simply am struggling to have the stomach for utter stupidity when it comes to some decisions that I have witnessed --- the latest one being the handball awarded against Tottenham v Newcastle in the last moments of the game.............. although this was not entirely the fault of Var - because the idiot with the whistle watched the replay on the pitchside screen - and somehow concluded that it was handball .......... according to his loony colleagues who have changed all definitions in the game. ........ I wanted VAR, I now wish to apologise for contributing to the insanity that prevails..... I am willing to accept my punishment - but, before I am hung, can my last request be to insert my Vuvuzela into the backside of the FA for sanctioning the ruin of common sense.
As you have highlighted, I've always been against the use of computer technology to depict our game. I said several things, that one rule will lead to another and I also mentioned from the beginning that players will cheat to the system. So what do we see now and I'm actually putting todays Spurs game to oneside.... We see attacking players targeting their opponents arm with the ball in the attempt to win a penalty. I can't remember what game it was, but it was so blatant, the attacking player purposely lifted the ball on to the opponents arm, and sadly it's now becoming a feature of the game, along with players, going down at the slightest touch of a hand on the back. In fact we've shaped the game now, to tie defending players hands behind their back, to prevent handball but humans need them to balance. A defender must also tie his hands behind his back, once an opponent enters the box and gains space in front of them (hat-trick of penalties). It's destroying the soul of the game, even if it makes good banter in winding-up Spurs fans today. Players have always cheated, refs have always made mistakes, we didn't need VAR to enhance that cheating and those mistakes. Who do I blame, every Premier League Chairman that voted it in, you reap what you sowed, you either bin it off or live by the consequences of your decisions, and how ironic that would be, if Spurs missed a European place at the end of season by two points. I'm now just waiting to see who the first football club will be to take this through the courts. <<< you've been warned.
VAR - and the Referee-- I apologise - it wasn't your fault https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/54318877 Let's be clear -- I believe that the use of technology, behind VAR is, in principle, a good idea - but - It is the FA rules, and their interpretation, that is ruining the game. In the Spurs game - it clearly is the fault of the rules, and not the referee, which led to the penalty --- If you scroll down the above link, it gives the current handball rules.......... .......... which does not allow a defender to be able to use any extension of his arm - for the purposes of balancing - either when jumping or falling (( they're supposed to fall like a domino ). Dier was jumping for the ball - with a slightly outstretched arm for leverage - as he landed, he was facing away from the ball - which was headed onto the back of his arm - and that, ladies and gentlemen, is now a penalty !!!!! ...... the referee had to apply the FA rules. He wasn't allowed to use common sense and discretion. The referee literally had his hands tied behind his back by the FA rule ............ ......and even if a player ties his own hands behind their back - I imagine that a penalty will still be awarded if the ball touches their hands.
I know how to make VAR more stupid.... As we are now in no doubt, -- any time the ball touches the hand, arm or armpit of a defender, a penalty will be awarded..... I think that, in the interest of clarity and complete fairness ( to the FA - so that it can then claim that ALL decisions by referees are correct ), we should extend ( not a defender's arm ), - but - the use of technology......... we should have ultra edge technology - just like in cricket --- where the ''snickometer'' machine can detect the finest of touches........ we wouldn't want to deprive the FA any opportunity for stupidity !
I know how to make VAR ( & the FA ), even more stupid Quite clearly, we have reached a point where FOOTBALL has been ruined by the FA's rules. There seems to be little point in spending 90, 95 or even 100 minutes, watching a game - when it will be spoilt by a penalty ( or three ), if a penalty is given when a gust of wind causes the ball to touch a hair on the back of a defenders finger nail ( yes, I do know that hair doesn't (usually) grow in that place .)...... ...... I think that we should scrap the actual game of football ------- instead we should just have a penalty shoot-out....... ..... you might think that a shoot-out won't be worth going to watch -- but -- trust me - it will still last at least 90 minutes ( not just because Gills players don't score penalties ), and have lots of controversy - because VAR and the referees will ensure that the FA rules regarding movement by the goalkeepers, or where their toes are in relation to the goal line, will mean that most of the penalties will be retaken - until midnight has past !
I have just been contacted by the FA ---- They have offered me a job...... ...... sadly it is not in the English Football team's starting 11...... not even in the women's team ( I might have enjoyed the ''apres piste'' ! ) NO - The FA have been so impressed with the excellence of my recent stupidity in this thread, that they want me to rewrite all the rules governing football........................ The FA were also grateful and impressed by my recent gift of my vuvuzela. Initially they were annoyed when the vuvuzela was inserted into their collective arses - but now realise the volume benefits it brings, when it comes to blowing their own trumpet. ...... I didn't get the job - at the interview the FA said I wasn't stupid enough to meet their standards of idiocy ( Mind you - they had to consult VAR to check that I wasn't just being accidentally sensible )
Mra Alwaysright is even more stupid than me - or the FA .....She has just seen my latest posts in this thread --- and has told me to stop my nonsense otherwise.......... .... she will install VAR in the bedroom - in case I stray offside - or have my hands where I shouldn't...... .... sorry folks, it's not worth the penalty - so, that's all for now !
I've found something more stupid than VAR........... sadly, it is still the 'fault' of the FA. The FA Cup game of Hendon v Maidstone will see fans permitted to attend the game --- as long as they are fans only of Hendon !! Maidstone fans will not be permitted into the ground - Why ? - because Hendon are in a league 'low enough' to have fans return to stadiums - but - Maidstone FC is too 'elite' in the Football 'pyramid', to have fans allowed into grounds !....... supposedly all in the interest of not spreading the Coronavirus infection. I telephoned the FA for an explanation.... all I could hear was a loud screeching ' vuvuzela-like ' noise ( I was pleased that they're still using my gift. ).... ..... Should I start a poll - to see who might think that there is any sense in the decision by the FA ( especially if there is medical credence ! )
Another good day at the office of VAR. How was Mane offside. If anything was elbow which you can't score from and how was Pickford not sent off for Assault in first half.
...... and on the Merseyside derby - how was Gomes not booked for his high kick - almost connecting with head - surely that was 'dangerous' - regardless of intent.... Sometimes it beggars belief what goes through the mind of referees when they make their decisions ...... I can't make the same accusation against linesmen--- because they don't use their minds when they make any decision ------ which isn't that often.
VAR was broken today !....... ..... or is it NOT being used to eradicate all the grappling in the penalty area ?? There was so much of this sort of cheating going on in the televised games today --- Maguire (McGuire) being a major culprit - yet VAR didn't bat an eyelid. No wonder the inconsistencies of the referee are allowed to go uncorrected.... In the West Ham v Man City game, City's Gundagon yanks an arm of a west Ham Player - but fails to stop the Hammers' move going forward... The move fizzled out - but there wasn't a break in play for a couple of minutes --- when I was expecting the referee to issue a yellow card - NOTHING ! In the Man Utd v Chelsea game, Luke Shaw did exactly the same thing - and rightly received a booking.... I find it incredible that top, professional referees get it so badly wrong....... it's no wonder that the referees in L1 & L2 are even worse ((( I'm not actually blaming the referee for our last 3 results )))
