Billy’s interview

[SUFCinks]

I have to be honest, i think sharps comments are embarrassing. I think if you take a step back and realise how agitated hes got about a some social posts and some speculation of a non-league team playing tottenham (a far bigger team than us) which is roy of the rovers stuff then its pretty pathetic.

He’s a legend, and passionate but was a right whinny bitch about nothing in that interview.

I’m sure i will get stick for this but blade or not whinging about absolutely nothing (especially when you’ve won) is not a good look.

 

[SUFCinks]

Am I the only Blade who thinks that Billy should have bitten his lip after that game. Ok he may have been aggrieved but come on, he is an old pro, should have just let it ride. it was a Poor outburst in my opinion.

Totally agree

 

[JT89]

and referees are never held accountable for mistakes. Why aren't they ever interviewed and asked the probing questions?

EDIT: Appreciate the var officials from last week have been given a couple of weeks off - but it's pretty rare.

I've thought for a long time it would be good if referees published a report after games, so not an interview, but a report explaining how/why they made key decisions. It wouldn't please everyone still, but it might give fans a better understanding of what the ref saw and what they based their decision on.

 

[Tarqs]

I've thought for a long time it would be good if referees published a report after games, so not an interview, but a report explaining how/why they made key decisions. It wouldn't please everyone still, but it might give fans a better understanding of what the ref saw and what they based their decision on.

Agree but I think we would just get someone parroting dermot Gallagher on sky sports who basically backs the referees decision for 95% of calls.

 

[JT89]

Agree but I think we would just get someone parroting dermot Gallagher on sky sports who basically backs the referees decision for 95% of calls.

I meant a report written by the actual referee from the game rather than an ex-ref trying to guess why decisions were made like on sky etc.

Similar to the match report referees submit to the FA but explaining how decisions were made.

Another idea would be to have the refs wear head-cams so fans can get an idea of what the ref is seeing, ie. What they saw from their angle, how quick it actually happened, etc.

Making a decision on something you've seen once in real time while close to the action is very different from making a decision after watching 6 replays from 6 different angles.

 

[BornOnShorehamStreet]

Am I the only Blade who thinks that Billy should have bitten his lip after that game. Ok he may have been aggrieved but come on, he is an old pro, should have just let it ride. it was a Poor outburst in my opinion.

I agree.

 

[Withington Blade]

I have to be honest, i think sharps comments are embarrassing. I think if you take a step back and realise how agitated hes got about a some social posts and some speculation of a non-league team playing tottenham (a far bigger team than us) which is roy of the rovers stuff then its pretty pathetic.

He’s a legend, and passionate but was a right whinny bitch about nothing in that interview.

I’m sure i will get stick for this but blade or not whinging about absolutely nothing (especially when you’ve won) is not a good look.

I think it’s a fair point. I could understand him being critical of the ref, who was abysmal on the evening, but his criticism of Wrexham was a little unnecessary in my opinion.

Obviously we are not party to what was said on the pitch, in the tunnel, etc. It is quite possible the Wrexham players and even the club were getting a little ahead of themselves. I have never been a fan of Parkinson so it wouldn’t surprise me if he was spouting off. As a fan I wasn’t offended by the tweet sent from Wrexham to Spurs and I didn’t interpret it as them thinking they had already progressed through the replay, in which they were huge underdogs. Like you I saw it more as overexcitement from a non league club who had the prospect of playing Spurs at home in what would have been their biggest game in 30+ years. It was an unnecessary fight to pick by Billy.

 

[Muttley]

We've been screwed over too many times recently. Why shouldn't the ref in question be criticised? I'm with Billy on this one, even though it will no doubt go against him.
Free speech is not allowed in football and refs are unaccountable. It's always been thus, but it's never reyt.

 

[CaptainMorgans]

Pathetic. He's not getting charged for saying he's glad we beat Wrexham its because he dared to state that the referee gave him nothing all night. Which was accurate following the most incompetent ref's performance I've ever witnessed. Mr Doughty will have cried to the FA when he saw the Clubs score of minus 5.

If he gets a fine for this the Club should instruct players to give yes/no answers and nothing else in future interviews.

I think he crossed the line when he suggested that the referee had been helping Wrexham out all night. It implied bias.
It was an immature comment from a senior pro...

Footballer/manager interviews and press conferences are utterly pointless.

They're fined if they don't do the interviews and they're fined anytime they actually give an honest answer. That's why every interview is the same.

... that being said, I do also agree with this.
It's an entertainment business. The FA / EFL can't have it both ways.

 

[SUFCinks]

I think it’s a fair point. I could understand him being critical of the ref, who was abysmal on the evening, but his criticism of Wrexham was a little unnecessary in my opinion.

Obviously we are not party to what was said on the pitch, in the tunnel, etc. It is quite possible the Wrexham players and even the club were getting a little ahead of themselves. I have never been a fan of Parkinson so it wouldn’t surprise me if he was spouting off. As a fan I wasn’t offended by the tweet sent from Wrexham to Spurs and I didn’t interpret it as them thinking they had already progressed through the replay, in which they were huge underdogs. Like you I saw it more as overexcitement from a non league club who had the prospect of playing Spurs at home in what would have been their biggest game in 30+ years. It was an unnecessary fight to pick by Billy.

Scoring a goal to get the win was all he needed to do and should have been enough. He was obviously caught in the moment as it was an intense game where we almost got knocked out by non-league so lots of pressure on the players to not mess up. This likely played a part in his rant but still wasn't delivered well IMO.

Its hard to know wether he meant it like that or wether the emotions/pressure of the game meant he was just spewing unfiltered waffle under the spotlight.

 

[Hackey Blade]

I think it’s a fair point. I could understand him being critical of the ref, who was abysmal on the evening, but his criticism of Wrexham was a little unnecessary in my opinion.

Obviously we are not party to what was said on the pitch, in the tunnel, etc. It is quite possible the Wrexham players and even the club were getting a little ahead of themselves. I have never been a fan of Parkinson so it wouldn’t surprise me if he was spouting off. As a fan I wasn’t offended by the tweet sent from Wrexham to Spurs and I didn’t interpret it as them thinking they had already progressed through the replay, in which they were huge underdogs. Like you I saw it more as overexcitement from a non league club who had the prospect of playing Spurs at home in what would have been their biggest game in 30+ years. It was an unnecessary fight to pick by Billy.

I agree, i also said at the time it was absolutely nailed on he was going to get fucked by the FA for it. that said if it was me i would have used better words, like that referee was the biggest cheating twat of all time.

 

[SuperSonicBlade89]

“It's alleged that his comments constitute improper conduct in that they imply bias and/or attack the integrity of the referee, and he has until Tuesday 21 February to respond.”

Well... yeah... he is implying bias, but how is it "improper conduct" to say it how it is and what we all saw? He's basically telling off the F.A. and PGMOL publicly that they really should do better themselves.

I don't know about you guys, but I'm absolutely sick and tired of hearing about poor refs constantly week after week in English football. They've twiddled a lot of rules in the last few years and I don't think anybody really knows what's what anymore, which doesn't help. Some rule changes have really been a hindrance, why no contested drop balls anymore? For example. Not that I've seen one in years.

Stupid comment bit: Sometimes I think we should just get rid of the refs and just play football, you know like 90% of football played in the world does fine without a ref. Leave it to the captains/players. Would be a lot more entertaining. OK a bit silly. I'll shut up.

 

[sitwell]

I have to be honest, i think sharps comments are embarrassing. I think if you take a step back and realise how agitated hes got about a some social posts and some speculation of a non-league team playing tottenham (a far bigger team than us) which is roy of the rovers stuff then its pretty pathetic.

He’s a legend, and passionate but was a right whinny bitch about nothing in that interview.

I’m sure i will get stick for this but blade or not whinging about absolutely nothing (especially when you’ve won) is not a good look.

Yes we hate characters in football, they should all be fucking mute robots, how exciting that would be.
Fuck Wrexham, fuck Simon Jordan, fuck the Fa what a bunch of wankers the lot of them.

 

[VonBrysonsExpress]

He was asked a question and answered, should media be more careful about what they ask? They desired a tactical response and instead got an honest, knee jerk reaction. Who employs Billy, Sheffield United or the league/FA. Why do footballers have to follow an agreed narrative when almost anyone else in football can say what they want. He was pissed off, I think rightly so, what's the problem?

 

[Edgar Allan Poo]

If Ryan Reynolds is in it then it needs a villain of course.

 

[CPB]

He was rightfully pissed off but should have just said glad we beat em and then if asked say just because all the talk has been about them etc.

I do think the ref comment is more so saying "he's helped them because I've not had a decision all game off him" rather than implying the ref was being biased.
However it could easily be interpreted that way.

He ain't getting off with it that's for sure.

So he's available this weekend and ironically he isn't fit enough.

 

[Addison]

Warnock got charged for same thing in PL.

Good Old NW one day in the job at Udders and says they were stitched up in the play off final against Florist last year by his old friends who will remain nameless. He's right but is this not questioning the integrity of officials also? or does Billy have to get cuter in future and refer to them as old friends.

FA punching air at moment desperate to get a charge out against their old adversary after only 24 hours. Then again fearful of being accused of bullying an old age pensioner with fading memory maybe they won't.

 

[AWetFlannel]

I have to be honest, i think sharps comments are embarrassing. I think if you take a step back and realise how agitated hes got about a some social posts and some speculation of a non-league team playing tottenham (a far bigger team than us) which is roy of the rovers stuff then its pretty pathetic.

He’s a legend, and passionate but was a right whinny bitch about nothing in that interview.

I’m sure i will get stick for this but blade or not whinging about absolutely nothing (especially when you’ve won) is not a good look.

We don't know everything he was whining about because we didn't see what their players said to piss him off.

 

[Bladesman]

 

[Guesty]

The referee was a bent cunt, anyone watching could and did see he was a bent cunt and Sharp was perfectly justified in calling him a bent cunt.

I have no truck whatsoever with anyone criticising Sharp over this, I find that much more embarrassing.

 

[Gerritforud]

Am I the only Blade who thinks that Billy should have bitten his lip after that game. Ok he may have been aggrieved but come on, he is an old pro, should have just let it ride. it was a Poor outburst in my opinion.

Probably not, but until players and managers come out and say honestly what they thought, this shit with corrupt refs will only continue and probably get worse. Well done Billy for telling the fucking truth!

 

[Harry's Game]

Said at the time Billy was sailing a bit close to the wind with his comments about the ref, we can say it as fans but basically he accused the ref of deliberately giving incorrect decisions, thats effectively accusing the ref of corruption.. and players and managers can’t do that.

For what it’s worth I think everything he said was true but he can’t prove it so he’s going to get a heavy fine and ban.

 

[awblade]

Pathetic. He's not getting charged for saying he's glad we beat Wrexham its because he dared to state that the referee gave him nothing all night. Which was accurate following the most incompetent ref's performance I've ever witnessed. Mr Doughty will have cried to the FA when he saw the Clubs score of minus 5.

If he gets a fine for this the Club should instruct players to give yes/no answers and nothing else in future interviews.

Do it like marshawn lynch !

 

[originaltrueblade]

Next time the TV interview the player all should say this "No Comment on the grounds that it may incriminate me"

TV will soon sort out the FA

 

[CaptainMorgans]

Said at the time Billy was sailing a bit close to the wind with his comments about the ref, we can say it as fans but basically he accused the ref of deliberately giving incorrect decisions, thats effectively accusing the ref of corruption.. and players and managers can’t do that.

For what it’s worth I think everything he said was true but he can’t prove it so he’s going to get a heavy fine and ban.

He got his wording all wrong. If he'd said:

"the big decisions all seemed to go Wrexham's way tonight..." he'd have been fine...

... but the comment was more like -

"the referee was helping them lot out all night" which directly implied bias.

He might've got away with it, but the clip gathered a lot of media traction and it was on national television in a high profile(ish) game.
Not clever stuff.

 

[ThatJa]

He got his wording all wrong. If he'd said:

"the big decisions all seemed to go Wrexham's way tonight..." he'd have been fine...

... but the comment was more like -

"the referee was helping them lot out all night" which directly implied bias.

He might've got away with it, but the clip gathered a lot of media traction and it was on national television in a high profile(ish) game.
Not clever stuff.

all he said was "I don't think he's given me a foul all night" which was accurate?

 

[South Sea Blade]

Agree but I think we would just get someone parroting dermot Gallagher on sky sports who basically backs the referees decision for 95% of calls.

95%?......I think that's a tad low from what I've seen, and as for that twat ITV had on during the world cup......well, I ended up turning him off it was that embarrassing.

 

[Balham]

all he said was "I don't think he's given me a foul all night" which was accurate?

"I think the referee was helping them all night"

Cut and dried as far as the FA is concerned, even if it is correct.

 

[Houston_Blade]

Maybe the ref could pay the fine with the bribe money he received from Wrexham?

 

[paidsy]

I am sick of this nonsense with referees, how much protection do they need? It's also incredibly telling that the new flavour of the month club Arsenal have seemingly managed to do the unthinkable and get a referee sacked by moaning enough. The officiating vs Wrexham on both occasions was a disgrace, a player should be able to express his opinion on that front provided he can back it up.