I don't think that he was conscious of the lack of a crowd at that moment BB. Obviously we don't know what was going on in his mind, and never will do. If his thoughts were 'now I'm going to really antagonize and humiliate this lot' then his actions are not defendable in any way. Whether he was actually still within the laws of the game is one point which I wouldn't debate because I don't really know the referee's powers in such cases - the fact that it was 'unsporting' behaviour is, however, clear, and I would never want a Watford player to score in the same way. At the end of the day it's only a yellow card, which means nothing for his long term career - but may prevent him from acting in such a manner in future.
What I meant was that I don't think he thought 'Ah I'm going to do this because nobody is watching' - I don't think players decisions on the pitch are influenced by this - other than maybe how they celebrate goals. The lack of fans has meant that a lot of the ridiculous goal celebrations (and silly dance routines) have disappeared which is one positive aspect !
I can honestly say that I never shirked my responsibility where Violent Conduct was concerned. Even when I felt intimidated. I've had at least two players banned sine die, though the biggest threat came from a groundsman for playing on the wrong pitch! I was told by the CFA to get cup a game played and the pitch assigned wasn't, itootr, safe so I played it in the adjacent pitch. Suffice to say I didn't hang around after to have a shower - I drove home in my kit, my match fee went on cleaning the car out. I once cautioned a player for diving long, long, before it was "de rigeur" let alone written into the laws and put the report in under the "catch-all" anything else not mentioned... It was an ethnic Portuguese team from NW London. They weren't happy, the opposition goalie was chuffed to bits! The player himself had played Tier 2 in Portugal - and looked every inch that he had. Nets are supposed to hold the ball: tight goal nets rebounding the ball out really, really, cheese me off! Hamstrings gone, alas, and my eyesight isn't at a level I'm comfortable with... and I'm more cantankerous as I progress through middle age - my tolerance levels have plummeted. No more refereeing for me.
Sounds to me like you make an even better referee now - give some stick back to the players who think they never make any mistakes and the refs. always do.
Just seen the table for the South West Peninsula League Premier Division East. At the bottom is Stoke Gabriel: p16 w0 d0 l16 f5 a193 gd -188 pts 0 The club website says, "While the start to the season has not got off well."
Another defeat for Sheffield United today - they really do look to be in trouble. Their last fifteen Premiership matches have seen them lose fourteen and draw one - I wonder how long before Wilder loses his job?
Arsenal are getting very difficult to watch when you have managed to get into the ground. please log in to view this image
Sad news about the passing of Gerard Houllier. He always struck me as one of the nice men in football. please log in to view this image
Sunderland have advised EFL that they can't fulfil their next three fixtures due to a Covid outbreak. Must be a serious one.
Are West Brom the new Watford? They've sacked Bilic today and announced his replacement already - Sam Allardyce.
it just show the huge pressure on Managers to A get to the Prem and B stay their without bankrupting the club
Nice to see that Fort William FC got their Highland League season off to a flying start yesterday - lost 0-10 at home. I wonder if they hope to carry on with that rich vein of form?
