Bent Or Hopeless Referee?

[sunny-dave]

[ in Sport because it's a genuine question, hoping for answers based on the game, rather than re-hashing the penalties/racism/louts discussions ]

In what proper game (with a decent referee) would Italy have ended the match with 11 players on the pitch ?

The cynical pull-down of Saka was a straight red in most peoples' eyes - he we was through on goal (even if a long way out) and at least one other white shirt was belting up in support on the left.

The studs-up tackle on Grealish was slightly more debatable (it may have been inadvertent) - but it was a potentially career-ending assault (and possibly fatherhood-opportunity-ending too) - and I've seen loads of those straight-redded too.

Then there was the 'play advantage' nonsense when England had a clear free-kick opportunity denied on the very edge of the box in extra-time - the illusory advantage lasted a microsecond before the ball was hoofed upfield.

There were others too - cynical fouling and faking of injuries were rife by the Italians and blandly ignored by the man in pink.

In the absence of any evidence, I'll just assume that the ref was an incompetent wimp ...

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/football/2021/07/12/TELEMMGLPICT000264079672_trans_NvBQzQNjv4BqjJeHvIwLm2xPr27m7LF8mUYMapKPjdhyLnv9ax6_too.jpeg?imwidth=1280

[gness]

Oh everybody does, Tony. It's a strange village.
A well known UK actress that Dave has adored for a long time turns out to be the niece of a friend in the village. She's visiting in the autumn and we're having a get together. He'll be drooling for weeks.

[tonyav]

Check out what Jack did for a young fan last night, gness.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CROizh-szX1/?fbclid=IwAR0jWXw2QRyI7mNNHUS3bZeC6w9AlaKikOTNnwL1qWHj9RYMUgppsoI8MGw

[tonyav]

Mmmmm wonder who the well known actress could be.

[Stickybottle]

I would also ask why not many were moaning when Sterling got given a penalty in the semi final when even G Neville said after wards that ‘it was never in a million years a penalty’ and Alan Shearer was of the same opinion also

If we are looking for fairness then let us make it across the board not just when the result does not go in the favour of England

[andy-hughes]

I know enough about football fans to know that to a person, they know more, saw more and said more about any incident than the ref who is there, and has to make split second decisions without the benefit of endless replays.

I think the referee had a mandate to keep the game moving, and for that reason he had little or no truck with the histrionics for which the Italians are shamefully famous, and to be fair, he then had to be sure that he allowed himself to be seen to be fair when the English players acted up as well, as they absolutely did.

Post mortems are part of the enjoyment of football - Mrs Hughes enjoys the ninety minutes she goes to watch, but she enjoys the three-hours post-mortem moan-fest afterwards just as much.

[gness]

Thanks, Tony. He's a great guy, kids here love him. I felt so sorry for them but they took it well as the kids here seem to.

The actress? I will let you know. ;-)

[tonyav]

The actress? I will let you know. ;-)

Please do maybe I can have a drool to

[NickorWan]

Amazes me how many people don't understand some of the basic rules for a football fan. You must not see any incident where the decision undeservedly goes in your favour, and you must make a lot of noise when decisions go against you :)

Arsene Wenger gives free lessons.

[andy-hughes]

Nick - Mr Wenger was a legend at Stoke for that behavior!

Given that Stoke loathe Arsenal with a passion (1971 and 1972!!!) he always got a really rough ride up here.

When he affected not not notice one of his players sything down a Potter like a runaway lorry hitting a parkng meter, what Gary Davies always used to call "An interesting challenge ..." on MOTD, the fans would sing as one - "He didn't see that, he didn;t see that, Arsene Wenger, he didn't see that!"

And when the started his Gaelic arm motions, they would instantly start waving their arms up and down to the tune of "Let's all do the Wenger, let's all do the Wenger, nah nah nah nah, nah nah nah nah!!!"

[NickorWan]

:)

[gulliver1]

Will England still be talking about this game in
55 years time like the one in 1966 which they have never ever let anyone forget. ?

[jno]

probably not, gulliver, but it may well qualify for entry in the Book of Heroic Failures

Amazon.com User Recommendation

[royfromaus]

And the anti-English *** continues.

Why live in a country you despise?

[gness]

Oh do stop twittering on, Gulliver. We all remember good things from the past. I'm sure you do and entertain folk with those memories from time to time.
My memory of the 1966 game is the lad I liked from two doors down leaping my gate to give me a celebratory hug. I had no idea why but I enjoyed and remember the hug.

I really don't understand why you are so scathing about what others find joyful and memorable.

[Mozz71]

Gulliver - //Will England still be talking about this game in 55 years time like the one in 1966 which they have never ever let anyone forget. ?//

"They"?? Are you not "part" of the English people? Have you finally turn your back on your country of birth or are you admitting you're not English?