Football bosses are hypocrites over dodgy ref decisions
It always amuses me how football managers can have selective eye sight when decisions either go for or against their respective teams during big games.
There is no doubting that Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is one of the world’s best coaches and has done wonders since being unveiled by the north Londoners on October 1 1996. However he really needs to sort out the problem which seems to affect his eyesight during the course of a football game!
The Frenchman was on the war path immediately after Arsenal were dumped out of the Champions League against Liverpool at Anfield on Tuesday complaining of a ‘dodgy penalty’ conceded by Kolo Toure after a ‘foul’ on Ryan Babel which put Liverpool 3-2 ahead late on as they eventually progressed 4-2 on the night — 5-3 on aggregate.
Don’t get me wrong I probably agree with Wenger that it was definitely a ‘homer’ decision by the match official which was a bitter pill to swallow given that his side were not awarded a clearer spot-kick in the first leg a week ago at the Emirates Stadium when Dirk Kuyt tried to pull Alex Hleb’s arm off.
That is not the issue here, the issue is Wenger’s ability to spot when his side have been given a raw deal, but has a sudden onset of temporary blindness when a fortuitous decision has been dished out on his side. The irony is when Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez was asked his thoughts on the late spot-kick he pinched Wenger’s well-used ‘I did not see’ phrase to dodge the issue.
Gooners’ fans don’t think for a minute I am picking on Wenger as the majority of managers seem to do it, but his rant at Anfield has just spurred me into highlighting the issue. I’m sure we can pick numerous examples out from across the Premier League this term alone. Being a Middlesbrough fan I could argue Arsenal robbed us of two points at the Emirates Stadium recently when George Boateng was clearly fouled before the corner which Toure headed in the late equaliser from. I bet Wenger did not see that though!?
What about Steve Bennett’s ridiculous penalty decision against Luke Young at Aston Villa when the ball hit his shoulder and deflected off his elbow when he was not even looking at it? However, while Boro have had more bad than good decisions go our way this term; at least I can admit to good fortune. We got away with Emmanuel Adebayor’s good goal being given offside in the same game at Arsenal (which Wenger had eagle-eyed vision to spot and highlighted afterwards) and David Healy’s last-gasp ‘goal’ for Fulham which was not given in August despite being a foot over the line.
I just think it is time Wenger, Sir Alex Ferguson, Rafa Benitez, etc cut out this stupid habit of only seeing when their side has been hard done to.
Thanks to new technology football pundits and fans can see everything that happens on a pitch and we know the managers can too so now is the time they either own up or better get to Spec Savers!
Written by Craig Smithson, a Middlesbrough season-ticket holder and a professional sports writer who blogs about football betting at Betfair.
Topics: Arsenal, Arsene Wenger, English Premier League, Features, Help Football, Liverpool, Managers, Middlesbrough
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“Being a Middlesbrough fan I could argue Arsenal robbed us of two points at the Emirates Stadium recently when George Boateng was clearly fouled before the corner which Toure headed in the late equaliser from. I bet Wenger did not see that though!?”
Yes we all saw that. And I’m happy to admit it.
But we had a perfectly good goal disallowed for offside and you had a clear offside goal allowed.
If all the decisions had been made correctly – Arsenal “offside” goal allowed, Boro “onside” goal disallowed, Arsenal “foul” goal disallowed – Arsenal would have won the match.
So why are you whinging again?
April 9th, 2008 @ 20:07One day or the other isnt it just bloody referees who screw every match? Did you see the Portsmouth goal? Baros handballed and then came the goal? It was so harsh? They got knocked out of the FA cup. A championship team which wasnt playing bad at all. The time has come when one says “Oh well we got a lucky penalty before so its just coming back the other way around for us this time.” What we dont realise is that referees have cost so many matches to so many teams!! Almost half the results would have been different today if there was video technology instead of referees! What people dont realise is that two officials can upset frustrate and demoralise players, coaches and millions of fans!
Imagine a hard fought 1 – 0 lead gone down by a poor referee decision resulting in a 1 – 1 win on away goals for the opponent? Referees are killing football! Dirk Kuyt’s penalty was not given cause the referee lives in the same town as Kuyt? Lets face it, referees have cost Arsenal the match. If the Anfield penalty was given, the Emirates one should have been too. Arsenal would have qualified still!
April 9th, 2008 @ 21:24Bob Down and Akbar, don’t be just a short-sighted fools as what the writer has indicated in only looking at your own club. If you feels that Referee’s decision on Dirk Kyut’s penalty has cost arsenal, then there were many decisions that probably will cost other teams against arsenal too. mostly lively teams like everton, spurs, middlesborogh, portsmouth, newcastle, etc. will be in the top four replacing your team. Hey who knows Liverpool, Chelsea, Man U will be way ahead of your team too. the ball is round and referees are human. Decisions can cost your team but also help your team. Get on with life and look forward to next game and next season pals.
April 10th, 2008 @ 01:01Managers are no different to the fans. I can honestly say that every referee this season has been totally biaised against Watford. Funny how the opposition fans have all thought he was biaised in our favour!
We all watch the game through tinted specs and managers are no different.
April 10th, 2008 @ 10:31Ken:
“the ball is round and referees are human. Decisions can cost your team but also help your team. Get on with life and look forward to next game and next season pals.”
I guess you didnt understand my point, if you’re saying that correct decisions would have got boro, newcastle and spurs a win or something .. well why should’nt they? I would love that. Referees are humans but so are umpires and other officials in cricket and tennis and thats why players are allowed to appeal and these officials are encouraged to consult off the pitch officials. Its not about one team, its about the system which is outdated and is costing teams, coaches and fans! 2 people ruining the whole bloody game! Referees should be replaced.. its simple!!
April 10th, 2008 @ 12:57At least Wenger has publicly called for video help for refs. He and a few more high-profile coaches including Ferguson. This is more than can be said about referees and football writers, generally speaking.
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April 11th, 2008 @ 23:28the best site all about ref errors
http://www.FairFootball.com
Bob! You have missed the whole reason behind the article! I was merely pointing out that it would not hurt if managers were a bit more open and admit when good fortune goes their way instead of feeling hard done to all the time!
April 12th, 2008 @ 11:39I used the Boro game at Arsenal as an example. Graham hit the nail on the head as the majority of fans do seem to always think the refs are against their respective team!
If you read it again I was not whinging but admitted we had good fortune go our way in that game with the goal being wrongly given offside.
As you brought it up I think you will find there was nothing wrng with Aliadiere’s goal. Despite being offside in the 1st phase of the move, he was a good 30 yards away from the initial ball played to Tuncay out on the left.
However Arsenal’s defenders had more than enough time to get back and defend when Tuncay’s cross found Aliadiere in an onside position to score the goal!
It’s a bang-on article. Unfortunately, the comments haven’t reflected the point you made thus far, Craig, but I completely agree with you. I have so much respect for Wenger but his conduct in this manner really, really irritates me.
Countless times over the last few seasons I have been staggered by Wenger’s hypocrisy when claiming he sees certain decisions (always those against his team) but never sees the injustice as and when it profits Arsenal against others. I agree with you 100% on this.
April 12th, 2008 @ 19:11