this x 100
ive been struggling to summerise my feelings on the matter but this is it.
its got to the point that an obviously flawed decision (Virgil vs Brentford ‘penalty’) feels like you cant say anything becuase someone will ad hoc quote the reasoning from the laws that ’ kinda maybe i think apply in this situation and if you cant see that then you dont know footy’…‘plus, it happens to every team’
when anyone who really ‘knows footy’ can see its not a fucking penalty
Thanks pal!
I would definitely be clear that we will not be participating in any game of football that involves Michael Oliver.
I’m sure I’ve just read Olivers been banned from officiating us…
He’s not allowed to ref NUFC or Sunderland.
No way in the world would they say Ref A cannot officiate Team X because of a controversy. It would blow the whole shitshow to pieces.
The second they acknowledge there may have been bias, it’s over.
Sorry …the headline drew me in…I thought it was a decision made by PGMOL.
Due to his performances and his extracurricular activities, citiy’s two biggest multi year rivals now have genuine reason to question his impartiality in anything involving the top of the table. The big challenge to the PGMOL to do anything about that is the whole point of having a “highly rated” referee is to take charge of the big high profile games, but this is pushing them into a position where he’d barely be able to be involved in any of the games he’d otherwise be needed for.
He just needs to be unceremoniously retired and sent out to work in the UAE full-time
It wasnt so long ago that we were called LiVARpool…
The fact that PGMOL see little issue with with a referee getting employed by the owners of a club in the PL shows what an unserious organisation they are.
Well, obviously they understand that it isn’t right, because they quietly put a stop to it. But they continue to wheel Oliver out in these games and he continues to be at the scene of the crime in so many decisions that favour Man City it’s unreal. They might be unconcerned with corruption. But they are unconcerned with the perception of corruption as well, and that to me shows the nature of the men who rule this shambles.
I stopped watching at half time and spent time with my family instead. I watch football to enjoy the spectacle and challenge - win or lose - not to come away knowing I’ve been cheated out of that enjoyment by apparent endlessly unaccountable corruption. Can’t bring myself to prioritise my time in order to come away feeling like that. Tired of it.
I stopped watching after VVD’s goal was ruled out. It’s pretty much pointless these days.
I considered switching off after the penalty award, as it was pretty obvious what was going to happen. The fact that many fans had predicted that before kick off should tell you something.
There was a penalty shout the Brentford/Newcastle game for Brentford which, was much more a penalty than the one award again us. The constant inconsistency is the thing that drives me bonkers.
Is the solution to have one video ref for the whole week fixture list?
The solution is to not have corrupt refs.
Remove most of the current refs. Have a proper vetting and training process that involves consistency and honesty. Establish a wage structure commensurate with the job, one that cuts out need for overseas sorties like Oliver.
Have a committee of real football people set the standards and maintain them. By real football people, I mean talking to Kenny Dalglish, Southgate, Lampard, Souness, Ferguson (random names, there are others)…anyone who has a vested interest in football. Bring ex players, supporters, engage overseas refs…design a charter that sets the highest standards and stick to it. Use VAR correctly, not the way it is at the moment.
Yeah i saw that and the reason given was minimal contact and it was when burns stood on the players foot, the diving player got booked, marma’s knee made the slightest of touches and they get a penalty…fucking joke how each game has different rules
I don’t watch other leagues from Europe often enough to compare, but I can’t believe that the standard of referee’s can be lower in the other major league than the prem. It’s the inconsistency that is mind boggling to me. One week something is given and the next week, the same thing isn’t. It happens time and time again. Maybe there needs to be a major re-think regarding ‘top level’ officials in the UK? Does anyone know if it’s the same shit standards everywhere else?
Before each game the first thing I look for is who has been appointed as ref and VAR and when I saw that Oliver was one of them I was dreading this game, whether he is reffing or VAR he is the one taking the decisions of the three and inevitably it ends up costing us. I sympathise with the new players because you could see it on their faces which translated means what is the point trying.
Right from the beginning Bradley got a soft yellow and after that he was terrified of tackling anybody. Shitty were getting away with murder and could go in hard and with tackles that merited a red. There was a period when we were playing good football then we get a bad decision and after that we were back to being very poor again until then end.
Our older players with previous experience of this, their reaction is to not give up and run their guts out until the end of the game.
It’s worth remembering that PGMOL are an independent body, and the Premier League commission their services.
In my opinion, The Premier League should be treating them as any organisation they are the customer of, and demand higher quality. They should be all over PGMOL.
I think they reason they aren’t, is because the weekly/daily controversies are good for engagement. It drives fume, rage clicks, banter and lols, and keeps the best league in the world riding high on to the socials.
The only way this changes is when fans start demanding it, and fans won’t demand it because the idea of collectivity, and thinking about the sport beyond the tribalism of your own team, is totally alien.
I agree but when paired with Tierney,Oliver, Taylor, Brookes or Hooper he is likely to go their way.