Oxlade handballs a shot that is going wide. Penalty rightly given - but the ref sends off Gibbs (mistaken identity)! Surely if the ball is going wide, it's not a "clear goalscoring opportunity" and it shouldn't have been a red card?
Refs seem to be determined to give as many straight reds for 'denying a clear goalscoring opportunity' as possible lately, regardless of how minute the chance of a goal being scored was at the time. The fact he's then gone and sent the wrong guy just cos they're a similar colour is hilarious.
We always get told the 4th official is there for timekeeping and cases of mistaken identity, but they are not given access to the video replays to assist them, rendering them effectively useless. More pages of debate and hours of TV punditry to follow. Without wishing to open a can of name change flavoured worms, the game is run by Ludites.
Diversity awareness training course being lined up for him as we speak. Expect usual suspects (Jason and Garth) to kick this one around.
Players should wear name tags hung around their necks like we used to on our first day at school. Obviously it's not enough to have numbers on shorts, numbers on shirts and surnames on the back of shirts.
No question Gibbs' red card will be rescinded - but normally in cases of mistaken identity the actual offender would get the ban instead. My argument is that the ref got it wrong sending ANYONE off, so I hope Oxlade isn't handed the ban.
As the ref dealt with it at the time, albeit wrongly, I don't think they can award it to the Ox now can they? If it was us of course, they'd change the rules or just ignore them, but I'd expect Gibbs card to be rescinded, the head of the refs to ring up and apologise and nowt else to happen.
It's not mistaken identity. Other than keying in the refs instructions for stoppages they're only allowed to get involved in matters relating to the coaches/subs (ie people not on the pitch) or violent conduct. The exception is if we're awarded a penalty instead of a corner they're allowed to tell the referee to give a goal kick instead.
I think we all expected that as a minimum, what will happen to Ox though? Will he end up with it or not do you think? I don't think he should tbh, it wasn't going in anyhow. I also think he looked a better goalkeeper than Szczesny!
