Comments on: Other sites review the players: we review the refs

By: Paul C.

Paul C. — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:31:04 +0000

I must say that Evans “tackle” looks worse every time I see it. What the heck were his boots doing up there? That was a headed ball every time. Drogba did his normal thing of physically going into an aerial challenge and would surely have fouled Evans had Evans tried to head the ball. But Evans was nuts. That is a dangerous, dangerous, dangerous, dangerous, dangerous tackle in the worst sense of the word. What if Evans had hit Drogba’s face? What damage could that have done? His eyes or his throat? Oh man, that is bad.

Disgusting challenge and puts every Utd moan about their “treatment” by referees into sharp perspective.

By: LRV

LRV — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 15:39:21 +0000

I also believe that all football pundits and media personel need to watch this video and take Clough’s advise. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oqAZsoF-ghw&feature=player_embedded

By: LRV

LRV — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 15:32:40 +0000

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tIdimHWWmIg&feature=player_embedded

By: LRV

LRV — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 15:29:31 +0000

Walter: If Tony will allow it, here is a link to the Evans ‘Karate Kick’ of a tckle -

By: Brickfields Gunners

Brickfields Gunners — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 08:04:50 +0000

LRV ,Freemasonry is the practice of every moral and social virtue ;so I’m quite sure that lot will not get in.Creepy-crawlies ,slugs ,slimebags and things that go ‘squish’ under your shoes, have their own club.I belive a few managers have applied to join too.

By: walter

walter — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 23:05:09 +0000

Davi, Unfortunatly I didn’t see the game and even missed the sunday BBC2 show. I was to late and only saw it once but it was over before I realised it. It looked like a clear dangerous challenge and the ref got it all wrong imho. But like said could not see it again.

The word you use about the refs is the correct word : pressure.
In can only speak for my country and for the things I have heard from refs who do those games and I don’t believe that they get thick envelopes in with cash anymore. Anderlecht has bought a european cup, at the expense of Nottingham Forrest, by giving a ‘loan’ to the Spanish ref in charge some 20 years ago.
But the pressure upon refs to blow in favor of some teams exists. Refs also must make a carreer and they all know very well that to make a carreer you have to look that you don’t unsettle the big clubs. I’m sure this plays in the mind of a ref.
Could do an article up on it but then again it is off course about how it works in Belgium and not as such related to the Arsenal.
How nearer to the top, how more the corruption comes in.

By: Davi

Davi — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 21:35:14 +0000

@walter – I wrote this comment yesterday on another article by a colleague of yours I guess, Id really like to hear your opinion. To be honest Id really just like people to take some notice of this because it’s really unbelievable how little attention it has received imo

“Can you do a story about how the press is ignoring the flying kick by jonny evans on drogba, (for which he should receive a ban in the same way adebayor did), and instead are allowing them to spew their crap about how refs have been unkind to them this year (which is of course complete garbage!)? – Btw, that kick is 10 times worse than diving, it was a cowardly act that could/might have broken his rib!

You know the way the press has handled these points is going to have positive implications for Utd in their next few games and give them an unfair advantage as usual becuase refs are going to be under pressure to give things in Utd’s favour or else be talked about in the media.”

By: Armin

Armin — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 18:49:13 +0000

I really wish if I can wake in Friday and skip this international crap. It will really be frustrating tomorrow, in same time watching Bosnian game versus Portugal and desperately read all news checking who is next Arsenal player to get injured.
If mr Platini (Platimi is name which suits best and mean Pay-me in Bosnian) want so much protege national football why they don’t organize it as amateurs competition, like in boxing.
so sorry for off topic couldn’t stand it…

Beside, great article Walter

By: walter

walter — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 18:33:37 +0000

We can almost put up a complete team with our injured players…. sigh….

By: diceman1984

diceman1984 — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 18:20:25 +0000

Good analysis in which we don’t get anywhere…

One off topic news: Gibbs is another one now out with injury. Who will play there this week then? Silvestre or Traore?

Really sucks that inter break always “break” our players…

By: walter

walter — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 18:16:02 +0000

Cape gooner, you are right. I didn’t mention it here because you cant go in every detail. Although the outcome was no detail for us and for Theo. I thaught I tried to stick to the most important things that is goals and so. Good that you reminded us. Even more bad points for the ref.
About the Evra case I can not answer you … because I didn’t see it. I’m not Wenger no. In fact last saturday I went to a concert of a local band from my younger days so I let football pass me by to affraid to watch those games. If I can view it somewhere I will come back to it.

By: LRV

LRV — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 16:24:02 +0000

Good Review, Walter. The standard of refereeing in this country is very diabolical to the point that FIFA has unofficially labelled them ‘Damaged Goods’ when it came to selecting World Cup referees. British referees’ ineptitude is further compounded by corruption, FAVOURITISM and XENOPHOBIA. Aided and abetted by the Press and Pundits, perhaps they are all connected and controlled by the lodge of the ‘FreeMasons’. Who knows?

By: Adam Smith

Adam Smith — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 16:00:13 +0000

Brian Alexander presents “Silent Stan” on BBC Radio 5 live Sport from 1900 GMT on Tuesday.

Apologies Tony, but this is a must listen interview for Arsenal fans who have access to the BBC Radio 5 or World Service or on Sky 0105.

By: Mark

Mark — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 14:17:21 +0000

Good article.

I’m surprised that refs at Old Trafford don’t wear home kit, it would
eliminate confusion if an alien dropped by.

Re the press, they are a pest.

All the brouhaha about Eduardo avoiding a scything goalkeeper,
and then complete silence when Ngog goes balletic,
and even more shamefully when Evans does a bruce Lee on Drogba.

The FA and the Media collude shamefully to stop
the fair passage of play.

By: Cape Gooner

Cape Gooner — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 14:17:07 +0000

Walter, against Birmingham, what about the second leg tackle by Ridgewell on Walcott? Clearly dangerous. Clearly reckless. No foul given.

More or less on topic, what about the penalty not given in the France game on Saturday. Evra got to the ball, kicked it out, and then Given, who was also going for the ball but arrived very late, clattered into him. It was not reckless and probably not dangerous. However, it clearly was a late tackle – albeit with the hands and not the feet.

Walter, what do you say?

By: Abhishek

Abhishek — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 14:07:45 +0000

Really nice article Walter…

A different and much needed perspective from a top ref himself. Nicely written and well researched. Was one of the best articles in recent days.

Congrats Tony for selling so many books. May you sell many more copies.