Refs Seeing Red
This weekend in the Premier League we were privileged to be able to enjoy some of the worst refereeing seen, unfortunately since the last weekend of the Premier League. Which paints a pretty bleak picture to begin with. We saw the crazy award of a penalty for a non-existent foul on Ramires but this week something even more serious reared it’s head. The blurred lines surrounding what is and isn’t considered to be a red card offence. We will look at each incident a little closer to see what went wrong.
Mirallas on Suarez
This was the first incident of the weekend. I honestly can’t see how this was not considered to be a red card by the referee. It’s a horror tackle and regardless of what you think of Luis Suarez, he doesn’t deserve to be on the end of a tackle like that. The referee seemed to take forever to make the decision to just book Mirallas and appeared to consult with everyone available including the Liverpool physio before making the decision. The point is he clearly got this one very wrong.
Rooney on Mutch
This one for me truly is a an example of a decision being given just because of who the player or club is. There is no form of football where this is not a red card. Rooney makes no attempt to go for the ball, and he doesn’t try to trip Jordon Mutch. He simply has a wild kick at him as they run towards the ball. Disgraceful behaviour and something which i genuinely thought he had eliminated from his game. Making matters worse were David Moyes’ later comments that there was “little in the incident”. Ridiculous comments like these are the reason why some people grow to loathe United. It is as blatant as can be yet Moyes plays the incident down by simply pretending that something completely different happened. Cardiff to their credit, actually came out in support of Rooney staying on the pitch, which although i disagree with, i feel it was very sporting of them considering this decision basically cost them the game. Will we see a ban for Rooney like United demanded for Fulham’s Sascha Riether? My money is on no.
Bolassie on McShane
No video for this one, but i’m sure we’ve all had a chance to see this tackle by now. For me this is the only one of the weekend that i can even vaguely understand. I still don’t personally think that it is a red card. It is clumsy, but he is definitely going for the ball and has no intent to hurt Paul McShane. It seems that these days there is no benefit of the doubt for some players if they simply mistime a tackle. Think how many times Paul Scholes would have been sent off in his career if he saw red every time his misjudged a tackle. I think that Bolasie is unlucky but can also see why it was given.
Brown on Adam
This one still baffles me. Quite simply, if this tackle is worthy of a red card. Then we may as well just declare the game non-contact. That being said i’m still not sure if there is any contact in this incident anyway. Brown slides in with one foot, his studs are not up and he does not leave the ground. He takes all of the ball, and from the replays i’ve seen there may be the tiniest amount of contact on the follow through. Gus Poyet had every right to be fuming with this decision. If anything the worst part of about this whole incident is Stoke City’s insistence that he injured Adam. Had a decision like this gone against them they would have felt exactly the same. The level of hypocrisy in football these days is shocking.
In conclusion. What is going on with the game? Are we heading towards a crazy future where football no longer looks like the same sport. Where tackles are outlawed and the slightest competitive act is punished by a red card. If the game goes that way. I for one will not be watching it.
About the Author
SYC Matt A football fan just like the rest of us. Battling with the usual ups and downs that come with supporting one of the less glamorous teams. Crusader for footballing justice.
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