This piece raises the right concerns but it’s conclusion is entirely wrong in saying the high bar on intervening on subjective decisions made it impossible for VAR to intervene. As I said in a previous post, everything about the Lino’s subjective interpretation about impact is made moot by the observation that Robbo was not in fact in the line of said as the lino claimed, a factual discrepancy that does not just opens the door to VAR involvement, but requires it.
6 Likes
1 Like
PGMOL are a boys club masquerading as a body of professionals. I don’t know why the PL puts up with it, as there isn’t a single club (well, maybe except for one) that hasn’t been shafted over the years. When the best-case scenario for the consistent failures is that the referees are inept, it’s time to walk away. PGMOL would have been out of a job in every other walk of life.
It’s time for the PL to find another service provider, or at the very least remind PGMOL that it does not own a monopoly in officiating services.
2 Likes
I understand that to be honest. But lets say ex professionals that have a clue what they are talking about. Not the comedians we see on thd box nowadays
1 Like
FIFY
2 Likes
Fine but they many of them aren’t on the box for a reason and though I like Arsene some of the ideas he is coming up with are bollocks.
3 Likes
He’s nearly gone full senile
2 Likes
Maybe the likes of Klopp. Someone also give Rafa a job that isn’t at a batshit club
3 Likes
I’m not surprised that PGMOL is just circling the wagons. They’re defending their own. It’s obvious that shouldn’t have been ruled out. It undermines the entire purpose of the rule. But if there’s even a shred of doubt in their favor, they’ll cling to it to protect their deteriorating reputations.
1 Like
Yep, and even though I dislike Mourinho he would have the nous to understand what is required
1 Like
Actually, I seem to recall that he got a yellow, which is worse, because he actually saw the incident and thought it was on a par with a shirt pull.
6 Likes
I really don’t think they give a flying fuck.
Michael Oliver is case in point - the man took a job from Man City’s owners, and we’re meant to believe that coincidentally all the decisions he gives in their favour (or against City’s rivals) are just…well the right decision. The list is quite extensive now.
Coote didn’t give a fuck. If it weren’t for one of his supposed friends releasing footage of him calling Jurgen a German Cunt whilst taking lines, he’d still be reffing PL games.
Howie the ex copper contradicts himself on a regular basis, and then there’s Ref watch (or Refs friends) where Dermot flip flops more than a fish out of water.
Do we need to mention Clatterburg…
3 Likes
Sky won’t ever say “it’s wrong” until Howard Webb/PGMOL say as much. They will skirt around it, and release articles for the clicks to keep the debate alive 
3 Likes
The only case of a working league referee ever openly admitting they hate a club they are expected to ref.
The only club to ever have a goal ruled out because VAR got confused about what the onfield decision was.
The only club to have had a player physically assaulted by an official.
LiVARpool.
6 Likes
He didn’t even do it openly - it was in private, and he got fucked by a mate.
I’m sure that plenty of other refs make it clear to their chums what they really think of certain clubs/managers etc - but they aren’t daft enough to be recorded doing it, and even less likely that happens now.
2 Likes
I sometimes wonder what the ref in the middle thinks when he sees it back.
If that was me I would be livid and would be having words with the VAR team for not asking me to go to the screen and have a look at it and decide for myself.
But VAR for me had an agenda and described everything to ensure the onfield decision stood.
Wouldn’t it be great if a ref came out after a game and said that if he had got chance to review it he would have changed the call.
VAR seems a law unto themselves.
1 Like
Why…we’ve all got a good idea…but the clowns in black run a game to their own tune…oh yeah..de Ligt is a Manc…so that might influence…
2 Likes
https://x.com/TheDalglishStnd/status/1988337282827661695
A bit of a leak from an Arsenal fan also concerned at Oliver the ‘cheat’.
4 Likes
He used to actually be the best.
He reff’d multiple intense clashes with City well / fairly when he was in his prime.
And we came away deserved winners from many of them.
One can imagine why they targeted him for corruption.
3 Likes