We've all felt anger at the discrepancies of refereeing decisions but this really is a step too far, I hope it is not a sign of things to come over here! http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/31895461
I can't imagine how anyone would want to be a referee these days. If nothing much happens, like yesterday's game without a single booking, the ref still gets criticised by some. At other times, with all the players in his ear or his face and any number of one-eyed fans (yes, we've all been those sometimes) screaming abuse, the poor bloke is expected to make rational decisions about things which happen in the blink of any eye and where the victims often do everything within their power to suggest they have been mortally wounded by the slightest contact. At the end of it all, he's likely to be held solely responsible for the result, despite the 22 players and two managers supposedly having some part in the outcome. Even a man with pathological masochistic tendencies might think refereeing a step too far.
As I couldn't get to Vicarage Road yesterday, I watched instead a consummate display of refereeing the like of I wish we could see in Watford games. I am referring to the Wales vs Ireland rugby game in Cardiff. The referee explained every decision to the players, advised them, cajoled them not to offend, penalised them when they did and in every way was the leader on the pitch quite apart from the two captains (one of whom was sent to the sin bin!). All of this constant communication was also heard in the BBC commentary of the match. I saw no player argue with him, no players surrounded him to influence his decision, no player feigned injury, spat at his opponent or otherwise acted like a spoiled brat. Yes there were the occasional flare-ups, but all were handled with abrupt efficiency by the ref and linesmen (not, incidentally, inaccurately named as assistant referees!). Watching what is a very technical sport of which I know comparatively little, I found it all so refreshing and very enjoyable.
Maybe the refs are too 'chicken' to send them off But seriously: "Bullying ref's is an age-old practice that separates winners from losers. It doesn't look good but perhaps people who don't work in football misunderstand the nature of winners. Footballers are a breed apart. Their desire to win is incredible." However, "I don't like players waving imaginary cards at officials to get an opponent in trouble". No, not my warped sense of right and wrong, Harry Redknapp's. No wonder football is in a mess with this type of justification for aggressive thuggish behaviour. It's another 'you've never played the game' playground style argument: do everything you can to get a fellow professional in trouble, but don't wave an imaginary card'. Twat.
Thought the referee had an excellent game yesterday, a couple of minor niggles aside, but on the whole one of the best this season... over several seasons actually.
It dose not happen in other sports. All ages play to the same rules from under 11 to epl so how many refs let the kids get away with the same as the epl players? The FA control the rules If refs tell player before the game that he will sent off player for card waving or calling him names it would stop most of it . joey barton would still do it lol
I said exactly that to him and his assistants after the game and we had a nice chat actually. The 4th even joked about us giving him some stick last time he was at the Vic. But i agree with what they said, if the players play the officials can do their job and let the game flow better.
I am relying on Fez and our other rugby nuts on this one - didn't Dylan Hartley get deselected from a British and Irish lions tour to Australia for swearing at a ref whilst playing for Northampton? Can't see that happening in Football even though it should. And if anyone says "there's no Lions tour in football" I'm putting them on the naughty step.
I feel very angry about this! This is Derby's equaliser, surely one of the officials ought to have seen this! You can bet your life if Ruddy had pushed the Derby player away, the result would have been a penalty!
That's pretty blatant, Dave. Often the pushing, shoving and grabbing at set pieces is six of one etc but that was as clear a grab of the keeper as you'll see.
think of it this way dave derby are in free fall just 13 pts in the last 30 that point could stop ipswich getting in the top 6 THat is just the 2ond game you have dropped point in the last 10 games and the 3rd place team will end up playing the 6th which could well be derby
I can see the comments if that had been a Watford player, but he would have been caught and sent off.
You are correct, but as he had already served bans for eye gouging and biting over the previous couple of years or so I would have thought the swearing at the referee was hardly a unilateral cause though perhaps the unilateral excuse for his ban. Clearly a guy with problems having spent almost an entire year out of the game with bans for various transgressions during the course of his career.
That is pretty shocking, I thought so when I first saw it on TFLS. No idea what the referee was thinking. Six yard box: goalie is king... end of. Fan's hat on... well done ref!
I notice Chelsea feel a few decisions went against them yesterday - nothing to do with their behaviour in the week eh?
Given the amount of protection keepers are supposed to have now, how come Boro's first goal was allowed to stand on Saturday?
