Referees.

[Woodwardfan]

There are calls for suspensions, bans and whatever else after another weekend of embarrassing incidents. Indeed the refs are a confused, demoralised group who simply cannot cope any more. They have to judge a game which is fast, ruthless, intense and simply unmanageable with the routine and practised cheating that plagues the sport.

My view is that the authorities have hung the refs out to dry by refusing to back them in any attempt to drive out the cheats. The TV always want 11 v 11 and better entertainment figures. The big clubs need a level playing field in Europe, saying if the opposition cheat then they need to do so as well, therefore they "need" to practise routine cheating. Not at any stage have the authorities purged out diving, shirt pulling, cynical dissent and intimidation of officials, grappling at corners - why?!

The premiership refs are the best around so there are few to fill their boots if they are suspended. Just watching the clowns officiating the lower leagues shows you that.

I'm afraid the cheating has been allowed to proliferate for so long the poor refs just don't know when to believe t heir own eyes anymore. Some just don't give penalties any more, some pretend they are unsighted, none of them have the bottle to issue cards for diving and when they do they often get it wrong. They cannot cope with the cheating so that cheating has to be purged.

The game is in a mess, so often do the refs decide the destiny of the points. Scudamore get your sticky little finger out and purge out cheating. Give the refs the backing they need to send off the cheats for diving, cards for wrestling at corners and zero tolerance of Rooney-type intimidation of refs andevery hand and turn. Insist on retrospective penalties for unpunished diving and fine managers as well as players. Both codes of rugby show us the way so it can be done.

Also, just for balance, make refs forfeit their match fee if they send off the wrong player for handball when the shot was going wide anyway. But whatever you do, don't end up with a league 1 ref filling in when all the top refs are suspended, then you would see fireworks.

80000 fans are off to Wembley soon. The likelihood is that there will be at least 1, probably 2 major injustices during the game. Decisions tend to go with the bigger club so that should benefit us! If it's that bloke Foye we may as well save our brass and let him just toss a coin to decide who wins. If it's Dean we may as well just hand it to Hull on a plate. At least Webb is a one for you and then one for them type, no penalties though. And so on - it's an outrageous state of affairs and the refs are hung out to dry to make their own way across what is a bloody minefield, not a level playing field.

 

[kozluk]

Very well put, and I agree with everything you said.

The only problem is, what can we do? Personally, I think its got to a stage of no return, and we just have to deal with it, and hope sooner or later the decisions go our way in the big games for a change.

 

[billyblademan]

Unfortunately (in my opinion) we never get Webb because he's South Yorkshire. Was wondering about this yesterday, with Friend being a Prem ref, who we'd get in a couple of weeks.

Best shout would be Oliver for me, but we've already had him on the Cup run. Thought Swarbrick did well down at Fulham, but FA Cup Semi is probably a bit above him. If you take out Mason, seeing as we had him in the quarters, there's not that many left, and Dean is one of the remainders...

 

[zablade]

It annoys me that when you watch Rugby the Refs get the benefit of all the technology available to make sure the right decision is made, In Football we have only just allowed them to use technology to decide if the ball is over the line or not, Football is still being run by the Dinosuars.

 

[GRUMPY BLADE]

Very well put, and I agree with everything you said.

The only problem is, what can we do? Personally, I think its got to a stage of no return, and we just have to deal with it, and hope sooner or later the decisions go our way in the big games for a change.

Didn't see many complaints on here about the official's missing Pesch's offside goal?
Just using that one as an example.

Sure I hate the diving but all the calls on here for Wolves to have finished with 10 or 9 men seem to be OTT.

We'd have loved it if our team had done what Wolves had but I can't help but think we've moved on to better and higher things than thuggery.

Time will tell if it brings promotion but 11 wins and a FA Cup semi seems a good start.

 

[Punk Blade]

The authorities always back refs over their many high profile errors, and Prem refs are just as bad as any others. Refs are (with very few exceptions) completely and utterly useless and we just have to put up with it. It's probably a bigger issue for Blades fans in particular because we tend to cheat less and far less deliberately than most teams.

Oliver played a blinder for us against Forest by refusing to show any cards to Halford before the penalty.

 

[Woodwardfan]

The authorities always back refs over their many high profile errors, and Prem refs are just as bad as any others. Refs are (with very few exceptions) completely and utterly useless and we just have to put up with it. It's probably a bigger issue for Blades fans in particular because we tend to cheat less and far less deliberately than most teams.

Oliver played a blinder for us against Forest by refusing to show any cards to Halford before the penalty.

If ALL refs are completely and utterly useless doesn't that make you think why it is? Deliberate? Do they get worse the higher they get or the more experience they get? Why?

 

[kozluk]

Didn't see many complaints on here about the official's missing Pesch's offside goal?
Just using that one as an example.

Sure I hate the diving but all the calls on here for Wolves to have finished with 10 or 9 men seem to be OTT.

We'd have loved it if our team had done what Wolves had but I can't help but think we've moved on to better and higher things than thuggery.

Time will tell if it brings promotion but 11 wins and a FA Cup semi seems a good start.

I didn't say we never had a decision go our way, but we do seem to be on the wrong side of a lot of decisions, the Arsenal semi final the same season with tongey being blocked off the ball probably evens the pesch offside goal out. (eventhough that's in the rules of the game as the referee is part of play) just consider him being a big bobble in the pitch on that occasion.

Again the same season at Liverpool when the keeper clearly handled out of the box deliberately and wasn't sent off (rules of the game) I may be wrong but wasn't sure if he even got a yellow.

Overall united have decisions against them more than ofton IMO but then again I may be looking at it through red and white glasses.

 

[GRUMPY BLADE]

I didn't say we never had a decision go our way, but we do seem to be on the wrong side of a lot of decisions, the Arsenal semi final the same season with tongey being blocked off the ball probably evens the pesch offside goal out. (eventhough that's in the rules of the game as the referee is part of play) just consider him being a big bobble in the pitch on that occasion.

Again the same season at Liverpool when the keeper clearly handled out of the box deliberately and wasn't sent off (rules of the game) I may be wrong but wasn't sure if he even got a yellow.

Overall united have decisions against them more than ofton IMO but then again I may be looking at it through red and white glasses.

I'd tend to think that you create 'your own luck' and that generally comes about because the other player has more natural talent so thinks quicker, runs quicker, controls quicker and turns quicker than our lot.

I'm sure a cup tie against Hallam FC would have the locals thinking we were 'getting the rub of the green'.

 

[kozluk]

I'd tend to think that you create 'your own luck' and that generally comes about because the other player has more natural talent so thinks quicker, runs quicker, controls quicker and turns quicker than our lot.

I'm sure a cup tie against Hallam FC would have the locals thinking we were 'getting the rub of the green'.

a fouls a foul, a penalty is a penalty. doesn't matter if the player has miss timed it, or just isn't as naturally gifted as you say. If you take the man out, or impede play or hand ball it, whatever the reason a foul is a foul, and the decision should be made appropriately.

 

[SandyMcBlade]

If ALL refs are completely and utterly useless doesn't that make you think why it is? Deliberate? Do they get worse the higher they get or the more experience they get? Why?

The game has changed a lot, it's no longer all about prestige, it's now all about money.
The clubs,players and the referees know this,but the problem is the fans haven't caught up yet ...

 

[Nedski]

I think retrospective action is under utilised, and if players were worried a dive would get them a ban even if the ref gave the foul at the time, then surely they'd be less inclined?

Although the flip side is that the refs may bottle more decisions knowing that there's some sort of safety net if they get it wrong

 

[UnitedBlade]

Unfortunately (in my opinion) we never get Webb because he's South Yorkshire. Was wondering about this yesterday, with Friend being a Prem ref, who we'd get in a couple of weeks.

Best shout would be Oliver for me, but we've already had him on the Cup run. Thought Swarbrick did well down at Fulham, but FA Cup Semi is probably a bit above him. If you take out Mason, seeing as we had him in the quarters, there's not that many left, and Dean is one of the remainders...

I'm also starting to worry about the official we will get at Wembley. If it is Dean, we will definitely lose.

Out of this lot (the "Select" group), I would prefer Oliver. Swarbrick is in the select group, so it could be him.

Martin Atkinson West Yorkshire FIFA Referee
Mark Clattenburg County Durham FIFA Referee
Michael Oliver Northumberland FIFA Referee
Lee Probert Wiltshire FIFA Referee
Anthony Taylor Cheshire FIFA Referee
Mike Dean Merseyside
Phil Dowd Staffordshire
Roger East Wiltshire
Chris Foy Merseyside
Kevin Friend Leicestershire
Mike Jones Cheshire
Robert Madley West Yorkshire
Lee Mason Lancashire
Jonathan Moss West Yorkshire
Neil Swarbrick Lancashire

I'm assuming we won't get Webb or Pawson as they are S Yorkshire and I'm assuming they won't reward Marriner with a semi final tie after this weekend's debacle.

Howard Webb South Yorkshire 2003 FIFA Referee
Craig Pawson South Yorkshire 2013
Andre Marriner West Midlands 2005 FIFA Referee

 

[billyblademan]

If we assume that we won't get one from West Yorkshire either, this is what remains:

Mark Clattenburg County Durham FIFA Referee
Michael Oliver Northumberland FIFA Referee
Lee Probert Wiltshire FIFA Referee
Anthony Taylor Cheshire FIFA Referee
Mike Dean Merseyside
Phil Dowd Staffordshire
Roger East Wiltshire
Chris Foy Merseyside
Kevin Friend Leicestershire
Mike Jones Cheshire
Lee Mason Lancashire
Neil Swarbrick Lancashire

Swarbrick we had at Fulham, and was 4th official for the 1/4, and we had Mason for the quarter as well. After yesterday's match, not sure Friend will be doing it, which puts it down to about 10. With one of the Finalists being guaranteed to come from Yorkshire, I'd guess that Webb won't get the Final, so is probably a cert for the other semi. Clattenburg will get one of our match or the final. If he can't do both, and they leave him for the Final, then I would guess at Oliver or Probert to take our match.

 

[UnitedBlade]

I don't think the rules would prevent a West Yorkshire appointment, they would pretty much be equidistant from Sheffield and Hull.

If we assume that we won't get one from West Yorkshire either, this is what remains:

Mark Clattenburg County Durham FIFA Referee
Michael Oliver Northumberland FIFA Referee
Lee Probert Wiltshire FIFA Referee
Anthony Taylor Cheshire FIFA Referee
Mike Dean Merseyside
Phil Dowd Staffordshire
Roger East Wiltshire
Chris Foy Merseyside
Kevin Friend Leicestershire
Mike Jones Cheshire
Lee Mason Lancashire
Neil Swarbrick Lancashire

Swarbrick we had at Fulham, and was 4th official for the 1/4, and we had Mason for the quarter as well. After yesterday's match, not sure Friend will be doing it, which puts it down to about 10. With one of the Finalists being guaranteed to come from Yorkshire, I'd guess that Webb won't get the Final, so is probably a cert for the other semi. Clattenburg will get one of our match or the final. If he can't do both, and they leave him for the Final, then I would guess at Oliver or Probert to take our match.

 

[billyblademan]

I don't think the rules would prevent a West Yorkshire appointment, they would pretty much be equidistant from Sheffield and Hull.

I was just guessing that as it's an all Yorkshire match, they'll want someone not from Yorkshire to do it. Nothing to suggest that they can't however, and it could well be the case.

 

[WhiteHawk]

What would we all talk about if it wasn't for bad decisions by the officials? One week it might go against you, the next it might go for you. I agree that diving should be punished retrospectively but that's the only thing I would change.

 

[kozluk]

What would we all talk about if it wasn't for bad decisions by the officials? One week it might go against you, the next it might go for you. I agree that diving should be punished retrospectively but that's the only thing I would change.

perhaps the football? which hasn't been ruined by a dodgy decision or cheating? But I agree were all complaining now, but if the refs got everything right football just wouldn't be the same.

 

[UnitedBlade]

If it's any consolation, if we get to the final we won't have Dean he's already done one (no ref has reffed 2 FA Cup Finals since 1901).

I actually think Oliver could well do the final and therefore he's unlikely to have one of the semis (it could also be Anthony Taylor or Lee Probert who are FIFA refs but haven't yet done FA cup finals)

I think Howard Webb probably will do the Arsenal - Wigan semi.

Maybe Anthony Taylor for our semi.

 

[Punk Blade]

If ALL refs are completely and utterly useless doesn't that make you think why it is? Deliberate? Do they get worse the higher they get or the more experience they get? Why?

I find we ask these questions after most home games. The conclusion is either cheating or incompetence and, without wanting to question the integrity of of the game, the better option is incompetence. Why, as a group, referees display much higher levels of incompetence than any other group of people I have no idea.

 

[super_pig]

some of the decisions that they make are so ridiculous that i can only speculate there is some involvement with 'Taiwanese betting syndicates'
i was watching Barca vs Real yesterday. .when Real went 2-1 up i said to my mate. .'the ref will send a Real player off'. .and he did right on queue

 

[boo radley]

some of the decisions that they make are so ridiculous that i can only speculate there is some involvement with 'Taiwanese betting syndicates'
i was watching Barca vs Real yesterday. .when Real went 2-1 up i said to my mate. .'the ref will send a Real player off'. .and he did right on queue

Do they have false players

 

[super_pig]

Do they have false players

the number 9 .. apparently

 

[boo radley]

the number 9 .. apparently

Twas a 6 that fell over.

 

[Bladesway]

Has refereeing changed or has the scrutiny of the press and media just turned everything around? I hear about this 100MPH game that the poor dears can't keep up with and think its laughable. In the past the pitches could be mud baths which brought its own issues for refereeing.

I don't think there are more contentious decisions (I don't remember a time when I didn't think referees at BDTBL were shite) I just think we have a 24/7 sport hungry media looking for every decision to give Alan Brazil and Warnock something to discuss, then over to Colin Murray, Hawksbee and Jacobs and the coup de grace delivered by Adrian Durham at 4pm.

The game isn't that different but the 249 cameras at every single game make it a very different discussion point.

I still remember to this day Hansens handball in the League Cup Final pretty much on the line that got missed (mid 80's?) Then there was the 1966 was it, wasn't it decision in a world cup final. Now days rather than getting on with the game we would be having a jerkathon over goal line technology or (shite)Hawkeye, somesuch or something or other.

The more we fuck about with the basics of the game the further away it gets from us.

 

[Bladesway]

some of the decisions that they make are so ridiculous that i can only speculate there is some involvement with 'Taiwanese betting syndicates'
i was watching Barca vs Real yesterday. .when Real went 2-1 up i said to my mate. .'the ref will send a Real player off'. .and he did right on queue

Having already given Real a dodgy pen in the first place of course don't forget that.

 

[super_pig]

Having already given Real a dodgy pen in the first place of course don't forget that.

yeah well he had to get the odds up a bit. make it look like Real might win.. admittedly i am rather biased. .i can't stand Barcelona.. goody twoshoes bastards

 

[WhiteHawk]

'the ref will send a Real player off'. .and he did right on queue

To be fair, a red card in a Barca v Real Madrid match is pretty much a certainty.

 

[Bladesway]

yeah well he had to get the odds up a bit. make it look like Real might win.. admittedly i am rather biased. .i can't stand Barcelona.. goody twoshoes bastards

You love hoof over proper football don't you?

As for the red card, when your playing Real Lumpit what more do you expect. When they can't flat track bully you they boot you in the air.

 

[super_pig]

You love hoof over proper football don't you?

As for the red card, when your playing Real Lumpit what more do you expect. When they can't flat track bully you they boot you in the air.

heh. that is a good one. you haven't been reading my posts, im probably the most anti monty on here
i don't like them because everyone swoons about them. they are a bunch of cheating diving bastards. busquets is a disgrace to football. they seem a bit teachers pet to me and every plastic seems to love them. perhaps it's a punk thing
TBF i did admit i was biased