http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/14992738.stm BBC reports AVB has raised this to Ref chief about 2 offside goals given by ures linemen to their team.
Smalling was offside as was Nani though that was marginal. Hardly a total shocker by the ref. I expect AVB is not querying why Cole stayed on when it could have been a red.
I suppose he will be wasting his time. I think all officials performances--refs and linesmen-are appraised by the FA, and I think the linesmen in this case could well be downgraded.The ref to be fair had a good game overall and couldn't be expected to deal with the matter without input from the linesman.
I've suspect that there is match fixing in England. I suspect all officials. I suspect certain club owners. I find it difficult to accept so many poor decisions. The European and World bodies seem far too dismissive, saying there are no problems, which I find highly suspicious. I feel disenfranchised from the sport and powerless to do anything about it. The sums of money involved in bets are huge, millions upon millions every week. The betting syndicates would be immensely powerful and way beyond any sporting body to control, only governments and then working with others could even try to stop them. I feel there is a denial going on amongst fans in the UK, thinking it doesn't and wouldn't happen here. That the money our league generates makes it immune from match fixing or players or owners being got at. I would think it does happen and not just with bribes of money, but more from threats of violence being more likely. I can't be specific in a public forum because my feelings are all based on circumstantial occurrences and personally perceived events. Of course I could be wrong, I just do not believe I am. The monies involved in the sport are unmatched by any other. It would be ignorant to believe that criminal activity with in football was not constant and everywhere. We do not like to think of ourselves as a criminal society, but the facts show we are. What I do is I not longer take football seriously. I can't change what is going on so I don't even try. When It comes to big matches I hope for the best. When I was younger it used to matter to me whether the team won or lost. Now I know it isn't entirely down to just skill and luck it no longer matters so much and I just try to enjoy it as best I can.
Personally, I dont think the linesman concerned had the bottle to run the line at OT after disallowing the goal.As has been mentioned many times it really cant be long before technology is there for the ref to consult. There is too much at stake these days for mistakes like this to happen. Most, if not, all other pro sport uses it and its things like this that will spark the debate again. There were loads of instances before big bucks entered the game, where a player who had gained an unfair advantage would let the ref know. Today they fall over in the box and claim penalties , pretend they are injured to waste time or to get a player booked. I'm sorry but this is the perfect example of money being the root of all evil.
