posted Oct 23, 2007

A measure such as this could only benefit the game.

Many comments address concerns about players using foul and abusive language that everyone would be able to hear. However, I think this behaviour would be curbed as players would know that they cannot deny using such language as everyone, including the FA, would be able to hear it.

Also, I still believe that only the team captain should be allowed to converse with the referee, but in an orderly manner. Any captain who speaks out of line or any other player who protests at the referee should be disciplined, not necessarily on the spot but at least in hindsight.

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posted Oct 23, 2007

Sign the epetition against Clattenburg.

http://clattenburg.epetitions.net/

should not be allowed to ref in premiership matches, you cannot make that many mistakes in a single game in top flight football and be allowed to carry on at that level, it is morally wrong.

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posted Oct 23, 2007

The officiating this season so far has been absolutely dreadful. You expect plenty of dodgy decisions to go Man Utd or Liverpool's way, it's part of the game now, but usually they're discreet enough so that they can be explained away but the decisions in the Man Utd V. Chelsea match and the Mersyside derby were so blatantly wrong its unbelievable. Not only those two games but many others this season have had similarly awful officiating. My question is why do the FA continue to allow this? Instead of punishing the referee why do they just go along with it? Presumably it's to cover their own back so that it doesn't look like they're hiring second rate officials...

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posted Oct 23, 2007

comment by UTD_areluckyalways
posted 18 Hours Ago

it was never a red card in a million years
kuyt only has eyes for the ball
if u say it was a red u ' re a blues fan


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Do you mean Kuyt is a blue fan? He said it himself that he was lucky to escape red. In football rule is there anything as Luck? He knew the tackle was very wrong and said he got away with it.Think before you talk o.k.
The Ref doesn't know his Job to award a Red which the Offender acknowledged himself. Why do you think the Ref was Relief from his job if he was right?

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posted Oct 23, 2007

red for kuyt would have been harsh as he pulled his legs out of the challenge so as not to hurt the player. Both liverpool penalties where clear and the red was the only decision he could make. The two Everton appeals where good shouts and the one in the last minute was a very poor decision.

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posted Oct 23, 2007

I THINK GETTING REFS TO WEAR MICS IS THE BEST THING THE FA/PREM LEAGUE COULD DO... ITS OBVIOUS THAT REFS GET ABUSE!!! ITS ALSO OBVIOUS THAT PEOPLE LIE(E.G-STILES AND JT)

NOW IF THE REFS WERE MICCED UP, U'D KNOW WHAT WAS SAID, WHO SAID IT AND THEN CAN PUNISH THE RIGHT PEOPLE WITH THE RIGHT EVIDENCE AT THE RIGHT TIME!!!

EASY ENOUGH FOR ME TO UNDERSTAND- WHY NOT THE FA?? !!!

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posted Oct 24, 2007

There are two key issues here. (1) Verbal abuse of the referee and (2) Referees being accountable (or indeed non accountable) for their actions. For (1) - verbal abuse of referees this should not be tolerated whatever the circumstances. You only have to look at the recent rugby WC to see that rugby players are far more respectful and less childish in there reactions to what the officials call. So no excuses for footballers. As for football referees being accountable for their actions/decisions I think the FA must address this issue and address it soon before the game loses its integrity. For nothing makes a player or indeed a supporter more wound up than someone ( a referee named Mark Clattenberg in this case)making what appear to be a catalogue of errors in his decision making and yet not having to explain these decisions either during or after the game. Why can't referees stand in front of the cameras after a match and in this case explain why he clearly took a yellow card from his pocket and then produced the red card for Hibbert after Stevie G obviously makes a comment to him. And why did he only give Kuyt a yellow card for what clearly was a two footed dangerous "tackle" that could have had serious implications upon another players career? Are we saying that his two footed off the ground "tackle" was less punishable than a player making a clumsy challenge in the penalty area? What message does that send out? Also why does Kuyt stay on when only 3 weeks earlier at Old Trafford Mikel of Chelsea is straight red carded for a two footed challenge where there was probably more intent to get the ball? Where is the consistency because it is inconsistency and the arrogance of referees who do not have to explain their decisions to both players and the general public that get us all wound up. Football has to clean its act up and improve the quality of refereeing before the amount of credibility it loses is irreversible. So whether you are red or blue, Saturdays refereeing at Goodison park was NOT good for the game of football.

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posted Oct 24, 2007

The ref IS miked up - but only to his fellow officials. This is exactly where it should stay.

I say this as a Liverpool fan and a referee.......Kuyt should have been sent off. The intent may not have been there but the laws of the game only concern the action. In my view, his action was excessive and dangerous. The only reason Neville wasn't injured is (in part at least) because he saw him coming.

Can we please get off the match officlals backs (and I ask this as a ref).

Firstly, the job is difficult at all levels not just the prem.

Secondly, and believe it or not we are actually human beings and susceptible to error. Don't waffle on at this point about tv replays. TV only serves to foreshorten the angle and slow motion replays often make things look worse than they actually are.

Thirdly, we are suffering a shortage of match officials. Constant abuse only serves to cause further shortages. Where do you expect future match officials to come from if this keeps up? Would you take the time to take the course, pass the exam and then take up the whislte yourself?

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posted Oct 24, 2007

Don't blame the referees for not explaining their decisions - they are INSTRUCTED not to. As far as accountability is concerned - they are. Remember, in the prem, they are full time professionals who, as I understand it, are paid a retainer and then per match. If they don't ref, they don't get paid!

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posted Oct 25, 2007

I have read several of the comments back and forth about the desicions.
1) Kuyt's card - Wasn't a sheff utd player off against us last season for intent?
2) Penaties - Can't say alot cos they either go for you or against you like the ridiclous one against Chelsea (Florent Malouda) and in most cases i bet there was laughter coming from across Stanley Park, not having a go but it's funny till it happens to you?
3) Why not wire up ref's - Players will get what they deserve if they use foul language etc and no more sweeping stuff like this under the carpet.
4) Ref's changing their mind - always happening i remember a game against Roma ref pointed for a Pen then gave a corner instead.
5) Ref's being put on TV - Why not players and managers do and they are paid as well and players get fined so the only difference i see is ref's not explaining themselves to the mass audience.

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