The original article was based on receiving complaint after complaint about refereeing decisions, not only in this match and the principle that there are two choices: carry on whingeing, or doing something about it – lobbying for change in the form of a panel for important decisions, like rugby, and more technology to assist decisions. It was not intended to challenge the result of the match. Apologies for any offence taken – it was not intended. At any rate, it elicited some interesting responses:
James writes:
Thank you do much for your article on the refereeing standards in connection to the ridiculous scenes witnessed in our Quarter Finals with Liverpool.
All day I have remonstrated to anyone that would listen about ensuring refs don’t simply get away with their ineptitudes. In the first let the ref admitted he got it wrong. So what then? He should be fined or banned from the CL for a season and to really even it up, give Arsenal a penalty before a ball is kicked in the 2nd leg?
Overall, all of this would be irrelevant if UEFA (and the Prem League) had the bottle to bring in technology. They are concerned about the delay in play it could cause. By the time players have remonstrated with the ref and the taker picks up the ball and puts it on the spot, we have seen a replay 3 times already on TV!
I don’t hold any hope of this coming in when they have already turned down a technology that tennis brought in years ago to track a ball that is 10 times smaller than a football and travels probably 3 times faster yet can spot when there is a fault in service.
I feel so strongly about this that I’d love to start a petition, site or blog. Anyone interested or am I flogging a dead horse here? I am so upset that, despite our defensive problems last night, we did enough to be in the semis of the ECL but 2 ref decisions have cost us not only progress in the competition but potentially 30 million pounds!
David Wesson writes:
I think we need to look forward yes its huge disappointment but there are plenty of positives to take out of this season so far and it is not over yet.The football we played at time in the match was outstanding the fist goal and theo’s run for the second
With the addition of a couple of quality players defence and upfront I’m sure we will be there or thereabout next season.Until then we have another great battle royale on our hands this weekend and it will be good to see how the team react at old trafford.
Gabriel adds:
Specifically regarding penalty calls, the central focus has to be on the correct decision ultimately being made. Surly in the technological age that we live in there are recourses that can be made available to referees if there is any doubt in their mind regarding penalty calls e.g. consultation with a video official or pocket i pod TV or something! for penalty calls only?
If you are someone that subscribes to the theory that it will slow the game down too much? What about players rolling around holding their face when they haven’t even been touched? Just add the time lost to injury or extra time at the end of that half. As a result the correct decision is made, is less pressure on referees, is less suspension of corruption and less diving or cheating. Surely the means justifies the cause in this case?
narendra buch writes:
Arsene cannot freely speak. Bad luck can only explain so much. The evidence speaks for itself. Give it the oxygen of publicity…
Graham Clark writes:
Just wondering if you have any ideas for non-brits to complain about the refs?
Another ANR reader, writes:
I’vve been wondering whether the run of bad luck over the last few weeks has been more than conincidence. It was unblievable that Mascherano didn’t get a yellow card and that Flamini was taken out of the game by Gerrrard and Mascherano.
The combination of unjust penalty decisions and others over the last few weeks has been to say the least highly unfortunate.
Sometimes it’s worth thinking “Who benefits?” And of course if someone is trying to force their way into ownership of a club then it’s good that that club should be unsuccessful – until that new person takes over.
It’s a bit like Harry Hill in Goodfellas smashing glasses and causing trouble showing the importance of paying protection. The man in question has previous. And has shown himself to be completely without scruple.
Intersting comments by Houllier here
http://www.football365.com/story/0,17033,8689_3403663,00.html
David Leech writes:
I do not think it is fair to expect the refs to all be consistent in their judgement and get it right 100%. Even if the are consulting their linesman. The games are going so fast, and with four or five players around a ball, views will refrequently be obstructed.
The ONLY way to get an objective, 99.5% accurate view is to have a 4th official and a TV review.
There is so much money riding on these games, and with 100 million people around the world watching, it is nuts to continue to allow decision making on the spot when such technology is easily available.
Rohit writes:
I love your posts. Although I have been your regular reader for past 2 years, this is my comment for you.
4 big decision (2 red cards against Inter and 2 dodgy penalty decision against us) in favour of Liverpool in as many games in CL.
Its hard to believe its just co-incidence.
Christopher Cotton writes:
Come on Ian. I understand the frustration – Jesus, I have to live up here – but I think the last articles about complaining to MEPs is getting it out of proportion.
Another Chris writes:
Ian/Myles,
Re. the above post – is it still April 1st? I love the site but what a ridiculous post – complaining to Parliament about an official’s decision in a sporting event – that’s nonsense!
I know you guys like to look for an interesting slant on stories but I think that’s pushing things a bit far.
I know we didn’t get alot of luck with the decisions over the two legs but referees are human and doing a very difficult job – we lost the tie due to poor defending in both games, and it’s also the reason the league challenge has collapsed in recent weeks. The defence has been a shambles.
It’s been painful to see it all fall apart at this stage of the season, but as Myles says it’s been an improvement on last season and there’s alot to be positive about.
Keep up the thought provoking content – it’s a unique site.
Regards,
Chris
One ANR reader writes:
It’s a good point of having a panel – also like for boxing, as then there’s less chance of corruption through relying on one man – the ref in any particular game. It’s a bad advert for football that games are decided on innacurate refereeing decisions and something must be done.
Unfortunately I gave up after the injury to Eduardo, as it clearly shows no-one’s willing to do anything about. So maybe supporters will become like me and simply walk away from the game. I’m not interested in watching cheats.
Colin Weatherley writes:
In the old days we saw refereeing mistakes but, over the course of the season they DID somehow seem to even themselves out. Now there seems to be an underlying cynicism with the important decisions in big matches, highlighted in your articles. Is it me or do 3 of the big 4 more often than not seem to get the rub of the green regarding these important decisions? Also, is it only a coincidence that the 3 teams in question are owned by Russian/American billionaires? David Dein claimed we could not compete unless we went down the same road. I thought that quite strange at the time as he knew then we’d be able to match our main rivals financially within a couple of years, due to the new stadium. But now, looking back, perhaps his reasoning was something more sinister than pure finances.
Of course, this is all speculation on my part. But it doesn’t help, especially when the governing bodies consistently refuse to scratch even a bit below the surface of what might be.
We have a young team which, with 1 or 2 additions will probably improve on this season. The problem is, under the present circumstances, I’m not sure how that will help.