Wow…we’re only nine days into the 07/08 campaign and the men in black have already taken center stage!
According to conventional wisdom, a good referee should be seen but rarely heard - obviously Rob Styles, Alan Wiley and Andy D’Urso didn’t get that memo. At Anfield, Ewood Park and Craven Cottage they had their megaphones turned up to number eleven (one louder than ten) along with their best ‘don’t you look at me’ frowns this weekend as controversy raged.
Let’s take a quick look at this bumbling trio, review their respective matches and perhaps come up with a solution before anarchy reigns.
Rob Styles, who increasingly reminds me of the public school master and ex-referee, David Ellary, had an absolute rascal on Merseyside. Firstly he let the players impose their will over him. Secondly he gave the worst penalty decision I’ve seen in years against Steve Finnan. Thirdly he booked, Michael Essien twice but didn’t show him the red card and lastly he also managed to caution a further eight players in ninety minutes of rather tame play considering the history of the two teams.
Over at Blackburn, Alan Wiley also had his date book out with eight players cautioned along with Ryan Nelsen seeing red. Admittedly the Kiwi deserved to go but once again you couldn’t help but feel that the man in the middle was not in control of the proceedings. Arsenal boss, Arsene Wenger, claimed that Rovers waged ‘violence’ on his charges, which in typical Wenger fashion was way over the top however, Wiley needed to take control of this contest from the first whistle. Like the Liverpool/Chelsea encounter this match up had plenty of ‘previous’ and needed a firm early hand.
The biggest mistake of the weekend though goes to Andy D’Urso as Fulham lost to Middlesbrough. Subbing in for Lee Mason who limped of after seven minutes, D’Urso failed to spot, Boro goalkeeper, Mark Schwarzer cuddling the ball whilst in the back of the net denying Fulham and David Healy a last gasp equalizer. I suppose we can’t pin all the blame on D’Urso who did consult with his assistant but even from a terrible TV angle it was so obvious that the ball had crossed the line. It was Pedro Mendes versus Roy Carroll all over again (Man U v Spurs). When they tab up the points at the end of the season and Boro have plus two while Fulham have minus one, this basic error could be worth millions of dollars.
If we look at major sports from around the world nearly every one of them employs some form of video/graphic replay – not to change the game – but to help the officials make the right decision. In the States the NFL, NBA and NHL all use technology while cricket, rugby union/league and tennis have also joined the 21st century. That leaves two major sports with their heads stuck in the ground…football and baseball. Two sports steeped in tradition and yet unable to grasp the simple fact, that people make mistakes. If you can identify why they refuse to acknowledge this…I’m all ears.
Let’s end 99% of the arguments once and for all and employ video replays in the following circumstances when there is and this is the important phrase…and ‘element of doubt’: 1) penalties 2) red/yellow cards 3) balls crossing the goal line. So what if it stops the game for a minute or two. At least the decision will be correct and just think of the drama as you await the outcome from the video referee.
Another possible solution is to employ two referees who patrol one half of the pitch each. High schools in the US use this system as a money saving device for soccer (not paying two linesmen). With the riches of the Premier League another official is hardly going to dent the finances. This will allow referees to view different angles of the same incident and if they need to collaborate to get it right, so be it.
Look, at the end of the day the sport has become too difficult to officiate. The rules were established over 100 years ago when the players moved at a snail pace and the referees could keep up with the play. Now they fly around the field and obviously in a professional game attempt to gain an advantage wherever and whenever possible. Let’s do the likes of Styles, Wiley and D’Urso a favor. Give them another set of eyes so that when they come home after a hard day at the office, they can turn on their TV sets, smile contendly and view a job well done.
Until then, get the beers in and my thoughts are with Brian McBride for a speedy recovery.
Nick, he actually didn't book Essien twice. He just booked him (formally) once and showed him the card (informally).
Anyway, what player(s) have impressed you so far? For me its Antoine Sibierski.
Also, can you try to get Steven Cohen to start a blog. That would be entertaining to read.
Hope for the best on Wednesday!
Last edited by Footballking07-08 on August 19th at 7:38 PM.
Hi Nick. It's true the ref blew the call in the box against Liverpool but your suggested remedy will wreck havoc on the pitch. You cannot possibily believe that empowering instant replay centers to second guess and override the center referee is a good thing for the game. Soccer is not like "the other sports" as there are dozens and dozens of places were penalties, free kicks and cautions are awarded and not awarded, so your two minutes here and there will really add up and the game will lengthen and the referees ability to control the game will further erode if one or two calls are overturned, and if you stop the flow of the game to the extent you suggest. As a referee, I have to say that its up the job of the EPL to review and grade their refs which is the same way I am measured locally. If refs fail they can be pulled from refereeing in the EPL. And a further point, John Terry deserved a yellow card or more earlier on for his ongoing dissent. People don't seem to appreciate the nonsense and backtalk that refs receive when players are frusterated by their own inability to get the job done on the field. And honestly speaking as someone who's played and officiated in a lot of sports - Soccer is the only one that requires 100% focus all the time and having eyes in the back of your head. But if you don't like the refs, replace them, don't undermine them.
One thing that would help the referees to do their jobs would be putting a stop to the bullying tactics players employ against them when calls are made.
I played football all my life, not in high level though!
Saying all that, I’ve not seen any professional game
As bad as it was on Sunday.
I'm talking about Liverpool-Chelsea game.
What the hell was that, it was a joke!
Refs like him shouldn't even walk around the pitch,
Let alone .........
I don't know what to say, but someone has to do something about it!!!!
your all wrong and that is why the sport stumbles...across the board we got guys who wives don't let them have a say in how to raise their own kids MAKING DUMB suggestions about the sport because they own a TV.
When did it get decided that being rough was key...the only people that like the sport that way is mindless nubs that can't play. Do you think Zidane likes it when he has found a slot and someone just comes in and smashes him because he can't do anything else.
buckle down,,, the rules are the rules...Outlaw slide tackling, review tape and give post reds and yellows...refs should not take one word from players or coaches,,,and suddenly you would see EPL improve 30% in quality of game. The rest of the world would mimic it because it would become more popular than other leagues...
it is always about skill...that is what is fun to watch...
why do you think Hockey ain't that popular...because someone can break away with skill and then someone else can smash them with a stick.
cavemen use to like that game too.
Nick, to say that Arsene's complaints about Blackburn violence were "over the top" is completely missing it. If you watched that game (I have twice) Rovers were guilty of complete thuggery. To call it violent intent is actually an understatement. Morten Pedersen did almost the exact same thing to Fabregas that Steven Hunt did to Petr Cech last year (deliberate injury) except that MGP meant it and Hunt was accidental! The only reason it's not getting publicity is because Cesc didn't crack his skull open. You're right, in that the ref did NOT control that match. He let the violence go on and should have controlled the match from the off.
NeverReadMore,
I like your suggestion of postgame reds and yellows. I can't beleive how players can walk all over the center ref like they do. I feel bad for Fulham but how can the center ref even see if the ball is over the line from his psoition outside of the 18? Hockey at least employs a net judge and replay. This issue must be visited.
Great work, Nick. First-time blogger, long time reader.
I like the idea o####oal judge, like in hockey. The Goal Line technology could be combined with the goal judge, and when there's a goal some visual cue (like the light at hockey games) could go on to indicate a goal to the ref. I don't mind replay being used to punish diving and violent conduct after the game is over, but it shouldn't be used to second-guess the refs during the game. Also, aren't the players' comments to the refs recorded? Maybe the recordings should be reviewed after the game for ref abuse. It's tough for the refs on the field to make distinctions between what player comments should be carded. The refs risk being viewed as overly sensitive or bullied either way they call it.
American Football has several additional refs and instant replay, and they still get it wrong occasionally. I think we all have to live with bad calls. As bad as the Styles penalty call was on Sunday, I still wouldn't want the call "overturned" on replay. And even though that call wasn't particularly debatable on replay, there will be plays that are debatable no matter how many times you see it on replay.
Saw you on Football Fone show, where you and your mate Nick slashed the FIFA refs, and rightly so.
Soccer refereeing is the worst of any pro team sport. Granted, all refs make errors but compared to NBA/NFL/MLB whose mistakes may alter the outcome of one or two games per season, practically 50% of the high profile soccer games seemed to be adversely affected by soccer refs. I have discussed this issue with so many Euros and South Americans, and their answer is always a patronizing anti-american chant indicating the same old tired cliche that Americans do not know soccer and hence are not allowed to comment.
I am a personal friend of a retired world cup soccer referee from Italy, so I have first hand knowledge of the matter from someone highly regarded by FIFA. He unwittingly told me of the selection criteria used by FIFA, and quite frankly it is a joke, I could not believe it! By the way, despite being my friend he is one of these people that echoes these short sighted ideas about Americans being clueless about refereeing any sport!!
Well, soccer is NOT rocket science, and why not - as you hinted on your Fone In show - shouldn't FIFA take advantage of the other US pro sports experience and gain from it! Here are some concrete suggestions to add:
1) Have at least two, perhaps three refs *ON* the field, *BUT* just as importantly only *ONE* ref should be the ultimate ref or the "umpire" with the final decision. Otherwise, you will end up with chaos as was the case in Italy where an experiment a few years ago with two on field refs was a joke with bot
Last edited by sheldoninst on August 22nd at 5:01 PM.
2) More clearly define rules.
a) What constitutes a foul and wat does not? Too many rules are open to "interpretation". For example, shirt pulling infractions hardly get called in South America or Latin Europe (Spain, Italy, France), but likewise tackles from behind seem to be more accepted in the ELP as well as the Bundesliga...
b) Additionally, carding players also seems to be a capricious affair. Again, narrowing foul criteria could also include stricter definitions of what constitutes either a Yellow or Red card infraction.
c) Not only that, why not tally a limit for non-card fouls committed by a player? For example, if a player commits minor non malicious infractions that do NOT warrant the "yellow card" but do indeed warrant a free kick/play to the opposing team, shouldn't they be "yellow carded" when something like 4-6 fouls have been committed, something like what the NBA does? Again, this does not mean a player gets sent off for committing 5 or 6 minor fouls, but at least "warn" the player with a card when he reaches a certain tally? It cannot be that difficult, basketball has been doing this for some time.
Footnote: As you indicated on your Fone In show, like soccer MLB does NOT use technology, but the refs in MLB are quite amazing with minimal errors (I can only think of one major mistake in the last 10 years that altered an import game). This is because MLB has a much stricter criteria when evaluating umpires (refs), regularly takes exams, and does not leave so much room for "interpretation".
3) Clock management is another BIG problem with soccer... there is *NO* set criteria with the ridiculous stopage/bonus extra time... 2 minutes, 3 minuts, 4 minutes... Why not go with a fixed clock, but with proper clock management as is the case with NHL/NBA/NFL... this does NOT mean you have to stop the game with timeouts, but rather STOP THE CLOCK while a player is down or while the ball is being set for a free kick or sideline throw in.
Again, this is NOT rocket science and having the clock run when the ball is actually in play would discourage the mindnumbing delay tactics that plague soccer (this seems to mostly happen in South America and Latn Europe).
Footnote: Statistics show that ELP "ball activity" ranges from 25-28 minutes per half, while South American/Latin Euro games tend to have ball acitivity for an average of 20-23 minutes per half (ball acitivity refers to the actual time of play, and strictly excludes the excessive "farting around" time). In order to have the total game not exceed 2 hours, including halftime, having the "play clock" set to a fixed number of minutes (perhaps 25 minutes or maybe 30 minutes) per half makes sense. If the fixed number of minutes associated with the "play clock" were set at the current 45 minutes, games would probably last approximately 60-70 minutes per half. Of course, this "play clock" time limit does not have to be "etched in stone", because FIFA can make adjustments at any time as the new rules take effect and the game adjusts over time. In other words, show the same flexibility exhibited by NHL/NBA/NFL.
sheldoninst:
High School "Soccer" in Iowa plays with a set time. At first I was skeptical but it really works well and is simple. The clock stops for injuries, cards and substitutions only (to the center's discretion). The center signals the scorer's table by crossing his/her arms over their head. Whatever needs to get done gets done properly and then the center blows the whistle and it's game on.
id say 22 refs on the pitch one for each plyer, they can keep a keen eye on the action that way and blow the whistle every 2.3 seconds. sounds like compeling action.
I doubt the addition of instant replay would wreak havoc on the pitch if there was a simple commitment to keeping the game flowing, which I believe is very possible if you put the 4th official in charge of reviewing the replays, and how about this, no replay if the penalty occurs outside the box? Who cares about mid-field free kicks, what the league should care about is when Didier Zokora dives from no contact and gifts Tottenham an undeserved goal, not so much when Gerrard tips over and happens to pull off the perfect strike from 20+ yards out. We care when a goal is not allowed though it clearly crosses the line, we care when Emile Heskey is clearly offsides but gets a goal due to poor officiating. The only place you need worry about in-game replay is when it involves goals, because goals are the most important part of football, the officials must be able to make the right decision and deserve the right technology to do so. You give time for players to run around and celebrate, you can give that same time to make sure it is the right call.
I just finished watching super saturday and have a few thoughts, your the producer right?
1. How much did these guys have to drink before the show? Miles was so drunk, he put words together and formed sentences, but they were absolutly incoherent. The one coherent thing I heard him say was Arsenal play "brutal" football. MAn, even I have never been that drunk. At the end he promised to preview the Inter match, that was aired 4 hours earlier, should be a pretty accurate preview.
I know all of england is trying to bring about 3 yellows before a red, but for the rest of the world its 2. Baird, the Fulham defender did not get a straight red, as you reported, it was in fact a 2nd yellow. Any review of a fundamental match report will tell you guys that. I hope the beers were cold and good, cause the show needs a lot of work, tell em to lay off the sauce untill after the show, it couldnt be worse.
My favorite Miles-Richardson interaction was at the end, and they were obviously vamping untill time for serie a, Miles asks gary so tell me what you think of the coming serie a, gary answers sunderlands at man utd next week!!! hahahahaha
Mind you it was 88 mins into the show and probably well into their 2nd keg, but it was a highlite.
for god's sake someone tell me what makes this man an expert. I do not understand where this assumption originates from. Maybe this British accent but this guy can BS better than anyone I have ever come across. Please Mr. Webster, answer at least on of my comments & I will debate any subject you care to put forward. (Obviously not football as you are so superior in that department than anyone who has never kicked a football could ever be).
You are a complete joke, and I state this as I feel totally embarrassed for you due to the fact that more and more americans are learning the game on a day to day basis and you will eventually be found out as a know nothing voice of drivell and all football fans living in the US will be able to sleep sounder at night knowing that they will not have to listen to your pathetic views anymore.
Good night, and for the sake of the future of football pundits. PLEASE RETIRE NOW.
Who will break into the 'B4' and who will avoid the drop. So many questions will be answered over the next nine months because it's back - the greatest show on earth - The Barclays Premier League.
