The Official Referee Thread
Just came across an infuriating article that first gave me this idea of starting this thread. [Edit: Just saw that RD has posted it in the newsroom too.]
I don't think there is any official thread on referees in this forum yet, in which we can debate, discuss or just slag referees' style or performance from games that involved us to other games not concerning us. An innovative idea, I hope.
Besides, some of you may not be aware that we have at least 2 members in our midst that are actually qualified referees ie Safc Cjl and Cappy. Their inputs in this thread would be most interesting to say the least, especially in those controversial decisions made in some high-stake games.
And of course, commenting on referees here in a football forum would absolve us from being charged by the FA for bringing the game into disrepute.
Think these 2 related articles can kick off this thread...
Daily Express
REF FIXED TITLE FOR FERGIE
AVRAM GRANT last night made the astonishing accusation that referee Steve Bennett had bent to Sir Alex Ferguson’s will – and handed Manchester United the title.
The Chelsea manager’s explosive claims will anger United boss Ferguson and spark a war of words between them in what is now set to be a highly-charged build-up to the Champions League final next week in Moscow.
Grant was angered by Ferguson’s normal mind games from back page before last Sunday’s title showdown games. Chelsea could only draw with Bolton, who had been fired up by Ferguson’s jibes that they had been out celebrating.
United, meanwhile, won comfortably 2-0 at Wigan to take the title by two points and Grant last night remarkably accused Bennett of going easy on the Old Trafford team, appearing to question his integrity.
Grant believes Wigan should have had a penalty when Rio Ferdinand “handled” and that Paul Scholes should have been sent off for a second bookable offence.
He said: “The referee was, as expected, good for one team. What happened is what I expected. In England there are some very good referees. But there are some, a few of them, you can influence. Like we saw.
“The game we played against United at Old Trafford where we lost 2-0, the referee changed the result there for sure. The red card for Mikel John Obi in that game was not a red card. The red card that wasn’t for Paul Scholes on Sunday should have been. Then there was the penalty.
“I do not think the world is against Chelsea. But there were some coincidences for Manchester United. But I congratulate them.”
Grant’s words are bound to provoke a stinging response from Ferguson – and could also land the Chelsea coach in hot water with the FA, who do not take kindly to their officials being accused of partiality.
Asked if he was pleased that an English referee will not be in charge in Moscow, Grant said: “I can say it like this – yes.”
His words echo the spiky conspiracy theories of his predecessor Jose Mourinho.
And just like Mourinho before last season’s FA Cup final, he goes into this next game, the biggest in Chelsea’s history, with his future shrouded in mystery.
Grant believes he should be allowed to carry on whatever happens in Russia, but he has received no assurances from owner Roman Abramovich.
They are due to meet this week, and the coach said: “I find it strange that my future is under discussion. The club will ask me if I want to continue. I’ll make it very, very easy. I have a contract for four years, a contract between friends.”
Vital Football
Avram Rant - Bizarre To Say The Least!
Avram Grant blames the referees for his own failure. A familiar theme: it must be some kind of Chelsea legacy now.
The manager believes referees played a major part in United's success - but of course conveniently forgetting about the occasions when his was favoured by contentious decisions.
'In England there are some very good referees - but there are some, a few of them, you can influence,' he said. Probably Terry told him who were the ones you can influence - he's an expert at this.
'I think that in the game we played against United at Old Trafford the referee changed the result for sure. We know that. The red card for Mikel was not a red card.
'There should have been a red card for Scholes on Sunday. Then there was the penalty but it's finished. I congratulate United.
'I do not think the world is against Chelsea, or English football, but in this case there were some coincidences for Manchester United.'
Grant is obviously suffering from serious memory disorder. He forgot to mention that in that certain game at Old Trafford, Chelsea should have been down to 10 men much earlier when Joe Cole had fouled Evra as the last man inside the box. And of course the same players' bone-crunching, nasty tackle on Ronaldo should have earned a red - yet Cole was allowed to stay on.
Then of course Grant forgot to mention that Steve Bennett had not awarded us a blatant penalty at Wigan when Scholes had been fouled. And his conspiracy theory is unperturbed by the fact that the title race should never have gone down to the last day.
Why? Well, let's have a look. We've dropped to points at Middlesbrough not least because we were denied a blatant penalty for a handball by Taylor. Then Rob Styles' turn came at Blackburn: United should have had no less than three spot-kicks - one for a challenge on Rooney, one for a bad tackle from behind on Ronaldo and one for a handball by Emerton. He gave none of them.
And Grant is overlooking his side triumph over us: or at least he's overlooking the fact that the referee's decisions played no small part in that victory: two horrible offside decisions against Giggs and Ronaldo, then Ronaldo got wrestled to the floor by Ballack yet there was no penalty. And then Wiley awarded a penalty for a handball that was as far from deliberate as it can be... but Chelsea managers never allow the facts to stand in the way of a little conspiracy theory, do they?
I know it's all part of the mind games and that his target is to influence the referee of the Champions League final. But Avram, let me give you an advice: take a leaf out of Benitez's book and focus on training and coaching your team. The world will be a much better place.
So what do you think? Has some refereeing decisions helped us unwittingly towards retaining our crown? Or do you think we are often victimised instead because of what and who we are?
