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      Fan forced to step in after linesman suffers horror injury and helped off pitch in Bundesliga clash

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      A FAN had to step in from the stands and referee the Bundesliga clash between Wolfsburg and Cologne after a linesman got injured.Official Thorben Siewer fell victim to a miskick as the ball hit him so hard in the head he went down and required medical attention.
      A linesman got injured during the Bundesliga clash between Wolfsbug and CologneCredit: AP
      A fan had to step out of the stands to replace the fourth officialCredit: Rex

      Cologne ace Max Finkgrafe tried to clear the ball during a Wolfsburg attack and accidentally hit the ref who was standing behind the line.
      Physio staff from both teams immediately tended to Siewer who thankfully got back up to his feet.
      Unfortunately, however, the 36-year-old couldn’t carry on with the match and underwent further checks after being taken to the tunnel.
      Fourth official Nicolas Winter replaced his colleague but there was no one else to fill in for the former.
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      Therefore, hosts Wolfsburg issued an announcement at the Volkswagen Arena asking for any potential certified referees within the crowd.
      Thankfully, there was someone with the necessary badges who could carry out those duties and the match continued soon after.
      Tobias Krull, a goalkeeper of German sixth-tier club MTV Gifhorn, stepped away from the crowd and filled in as the fourth official.
      Krull stood between the two Bundesliga managers’ bench during a 1-1 draw.
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      A similar incident took place only last week in the FA Cup third-round replay between Wolves and Brentford.
      Qualified referee Ross Bennett, who officiates at grassroots Under-12 games, gave up his seat at Molineux after assistant ref Harry Lennard felt unwell and fourth official Gavin Ward stepped in to run the line.
      Bennett then replaced Ward and had to contain his jubilation after Wolves star Matheus Cunha’s extra-time penalty winner. More

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      Shocking moment referee CHASED OFF pitch by pitch invader in Port Vale vs Portsmouth clash

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      A REFEREE was chased off the pitch by a pitch invader during Port Vale vs Portsmouth.A fan charged onto the pitch in added time of the second half of the League One clash.
      The referee for the Port Vale vs Portsmouth match had to run off the pitch to avoid a pitch invaderCredit: EFL IFollow via X formerly Twitter
      After entering the pitch, the invader began chasing after the refereeCredit: EFL IFollow via X formerly Twitter
      The ref was then forced to head towards the dugoutCredit: EFL IFollow via X formerly Twitter
      Staff from both teams stepped in to stop the fan from getting to the refereeCredit: EFL IFollow via X formerly Twitter
      Referee Craig Hicks was forced to run away from the pitch invader who appeared to be charging directly at him.
      Hicks was protected by members of staff from the sidelines after the pitch invader was stopped.
      Port Vale boss Andy Crosby and coach David Dunn were forced to restrain the rogue fan as he darted for Hicks.
      The incident occurred just moments after Portsmouth had bagged a controversial penalty in the 88th minute to win the game 1-0.
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      Colby Bishop despatched the spot kick which seems to have led to the unbelievable moment.
      Fans watching on couldn’t believe what they were witnessing with many taking to social media.
      One wrote: “Imagine trying to attack the referee for making the correct decision.”
      While another added: “It all went a bit Benny Hill for a minute there.”
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      A third joked: “To be fair he ran more then any of the Port Vale players today.”
      And a fourth chimed in writing: “Disgraceful that this has been able to happen and that whoever they are felt that it was acceptable.
      “A line seriously crossed there, pun intended. But seriously, gone too far is an understatement!”
      The game was able to get back underway shortly after the incident when the supporter was removed from the field of play.
      The result means Pompey remain top of the table while Port Vale continue to flirt with the relegation zone in League One.
      Port Vale later released a statement on social media condemning the actions of the fan and vowing to work with the authorities.
      It read: “Port Vale Football Club condemn the actions of the individual who entered the field of play during today’s match against Portsmouth.
      “We will work with the relevant authorities to ensure the matter and the individual is dealt with a zero tolerance approach.
      “We remind all supporters that entering the field of play is a criminal offence.”
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      It’s not the first time Port Vale have seen fans enter the pitch in one of their games this season either.
      Their visit to Reading was abandoned earlier this month when Royals supporters protested the club’s ownership by carrying out a mass pitch invasion.
      The pitch invader was restrained by staff and stewards in the dugoutCredit: PA
      Craig Hicks waited on the sidelines while the issue was being resolvedCredit: PA More

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      Top 10 dirtiest games in Premier League history revealed with feisty Arsenal vs Tottenham clash only SEVENTH

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      THE Premier League showcases the best of the beautiful game – but sometimes it turns ugly.From matches with huge brawls to derbies with 11 cards shown, referees have had to deal with it all.
      Brentford’s clash with Aston Villa this season saw ten yellows and two redsCredit: Alamy
      Two Merseyside derbies make the top tenCredit: Alamy
      Statisticians at Onlinecasinos365 have crunched the numbers on bookings, second yellows and red cards to find the ten dirtiest top-flight games.
      And with the addition of VAR and officials clamping down on player behaviour, many of the matches come from this season.
      10. 1999: Liverpool 0-1 Everton
      The Merseyside derby is always a ferocious encounter and the 1999 clash at Anfield saw three red cards.
      Everton star Francis Jeffers and Liverpool goalkeeper Sander Westerveld ended up fighting each other, with both dismissed.
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      Then at the end of the game a reckless tackle by Steven Gerrard kick-started a second brawl as the Reds legend was sent off.
      9. 2004: West Brom 1-1 Fulham
      The famously feisty match was refereed by a young Mike Dean.
      An off the ball incident saw Papa Bouba Diop sent for an early bath and things erupted again when Luis Boa Morte was fouled while through on goal.
      It led to Andy Cole and Neil Clement throwing punches.
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      West Ham once got three reds in one game
      8. 2023: Wolves 2-4 Leeds
      A thriller at Molinuex saw Leeds secure a huge three points in their battle for survival.
      The game was littered with bookings for both sides as Wolves duo Jonny Otto Castro and Matheus Nunes were given their marching orders.
      7. 1999: Tottenham 2-1 Arsenal
      Arsenal lost their tempers against bitter rivals Spurs with Freddie Ljungberg sent off for violent conduct.
      And then Martin Keown was given a second yellow for a horror tackle.
      There was also a fight at the end of the game with three players from each team getting booked.
      Martin Keown was sent off for a terrible tackleCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      6. 2006: Liverpool 3-1 Everton
      This iconic derby saw Rafa Benitez’s side beat David Moyes’ thanks to goals from Luis Garcia and Harry Kewell.
      A passionate Gerrard was given two yellows for tough tackles and Andy van der Meijde was given a straight red for an elbow on Xabi Alonso.
      5. 2023: Man City 2-0 Nottingham Forest
      It may have been a routine win for Man City but this match makes the top five in the rankings after it kicked off when Rodri strangled Morgan Gibbs-White.
      Ref Anthony Taylor dished out 11 yellows.
      Rodri was sent off for strangling Morgan Gibbs-WhiteCredit: Premier League
      4. 1999: West Ham 1-5 Leeds
      The Hammers imploded against Leeds as they went down to eight-men in this Premier League classic.
      Ian Wright was sent off and refused to leave the pitch, having to be held back by his team-mates as he tried to confront the ref.
      Then goalkeeper Shaka Hislop was given his marching orders for fouling Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink in the box.
      And things were completed by a frustrated Steve Lomas crossing the line with a poor challenge.
      3. 2011: QPR 1-0 Chelsea
      The West London derby saw Chelsea lose their cool, receiving two reds and seven yellows.
      Jose Bosingwa was sent off for deliberately chopping down Shaun Wright-Phillips as he was about to score then Didier Drogba got dismissed for terrible tackle on Adel Taarabt.
      John Terry, David Luiz, Branislav Ivanovic, Ashley Cole, John Obi Mikel, Frank Lampard, Raul Meireles were booked.
      As were QPR’s Shaun Derry and Joey Barton to add to the chaos.
      Didier Drogba injured Adel Taarabt with his late lungeCredit: EPA
      2. 2023: Tottenham 2-1 Liverpool
      This game is best remembered for the Luis Diaz goal that VAR accidentally chalked off for offside.
      But it was also a feisty one with Curtis Jones sent off for a bad challenge before Diogo Jota got two bookings.
      Ten yellows were also handed out in a frantic encounter.
      VAR sent off Curtis Jones for a high tackle
      1. 2023: Brentford 1-2 Aston Villa
      Multiple brawls, ten yellow cards and two straight reds – this match deservedly takes top spot.
      The brutality started with Ben Mee sent off after a VAR check for a shocking tackle.
      A mass fight then begun after Ollie Watkins scored against his former club and celebrated in front of his old fans.
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      Brentford took exception and a melee erupted in the goal.
      Minutes later Neal Maupay clashed with Emi Martinez and it kicked off the another scuffle with Boubacar Kamara red carded for a headbutt.
      There were two mass brawls in the fixtureCredit: AFP
      Unai Emery sprinted on to the pitch to calm his playersCredit: PA More

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      New footage shows Jude Bellingham losing it with referee in Real Madrid clash and swearing at him in heated scenes

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      NEW FOOTAGE shows Jude Bellingham swearing at referee at half-time during Madrid’s clash with Almeria.The Madrid man can be heard swearing at the ref as he complains about not being given enough fouls during the game.
      Jude Bellingham fumed at the referee
      And was confused when the ref agreed with him
      He walked away in disgust
      New footage shows Bellingham saying: “That’s a foul on me there!”
      The referee replies saying: “I agree with you in that one.”
      Rather than the reply calming Bellingham down, he responded by saying: “Oh my God… brilliant. I don’t get a f*****g foul for you agreeing with me though. It’s just f*****g s**t man every week. F*****g hell.”
      Despite Bellingham’s complaints, Madrid were generally seen as the ones that got the rub of the green with decisions.
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      Madrid struggled massively against the bottom of the league side, who haven’t won a single game this season.
      They entered half-time at 2-0 down as Almeria raced into a surprise lead.
      Referee Francisco José Hernández Maeso was at the centre of the controversy for ruling out an Almeria goal, awarding Real Madrid a penalty and allowing a goal scored with Vinicius Junior’s upper arm to stand despite VAR intervention.
      All three decisions were made after Hernández Maeso rewatched the incidents on the pitch-side monitor.
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      Bellingham was on hand to score the penalty awarded by the referee after he judged Kaiky Fernandes to have handled the ball, despite him being pushed in the back by Madrid striker and former Stoke man Joselu.
      After the game, Almeria’s Edgar González said: “This is a competition that should be fair for everyone, and sometimes it’s hard to see that.
      “The [Madrid penalty] is a clear foul and I think the second is handball. All the decisions went in their favour.”
      Defender Marc Pubill also added: “somebody decided we couldn’t win and that’s what happened.”
      Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti saw things differently, however, saying: “I understand Almería’s anger with the decisions, but I think they were all correct.
      “I have seen them back. I think the referee gets them right. It’s not VAR making the decisions. VAR advises and the referee decides. I think he was right. More

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      Howard Webb ‘claims VAR was RIGHT not to overturn Ivan Toney’s goal’ in unseen letter to Nottingham Forest

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      PGMOL boss Howard Webb has insisted VAR were correct not to intervene and disallow Ivan Toney’s free-kick in a letter to Nottingham Forest.Toney, 27, marked his return after an eight-month betting ban by scoring the opener in Brentford’s 3-2 win over Forest on Saturday evening.
      Ivan Toney was spotted moving the ball before scoring a free-kick at the weekendCredit: X formerly Twitter / @SkySportsPL
      Referee chief Howard Webb insists the VAR followed the protocols correctlyCredit: Rex
      But the goal caused much uproar as the England striker was spotted moving the ball and the vanishing spray before the set-piece was taken.
      Forest wrote to the referees’ body, the PGMOL, insisting Toney’s conduct was a “serious missed incident”.
      The Tricky Trees also questioned why VAR Michael Salisbury did not intervene in the matter.
      But, according to The Mail, Webb responded to Forest on Monday confirming that the appropriate protocols were followed.
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      Rules agreed by the International Football Association Board [IFAB] dictate that the VAR can only get involved in matters relating to “goals, penalties, red cards and mistaken identity”.
      Toney’s re-placing of the ball did not fall within this remit, so VAR Salisbury was unable to intervene.
      Forest are now internally discussing Webb’s response before they issue a comment publicly.
      However, they are “unlikely” to pursue the matter any further.
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      Toney could have been booked for moving the ball had it been spotted by referee Darren England.
      It is the second time in less than a month that Forest have been left furious with the implementation of VAR.
      In December, Forest defender Willy Boly was controversially dismissed for a second yellow card despite cleanly winning the ball in a challenge with Bournemouth’s Adam Smith.
      VAR was unable to intervene as it was a yellow card offence rather than a straight red.
      Neville won’t approve
      Manchester United legend Gary Neville will be unimpressed by Forest’s decision to write to the PGMOL.
      That is because he criticised both Liverpool and Arsenal for doing the same thing earlier this season.
      He tweeted: “Clubs writing to the PGMOL is embarrassing!
      “Liverpool and Arsenal started it and set the precedent of this nonsense.”
      Fuming fans
      Football fans were fuming after Toney moved his free-kick at the weekend.
      And they took to social media to vent their frustrations.
      One said: “Toney moving the ball to a more favourable position. Ban him again.”
      A second fan added: “Ivan Toney caught red-handed moving the vanishing foam (and the ball) while the referee’s back is turned.”
      A third replied: “Ivan Toney does not score that goal if he didn’t move the ball and the white foam. How did VAR not check that?!”
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      Another responded: “Toney not only moved the ball after the wall was set, he moved it a second time and even moved the foam 🤣 I’ll give Turner a break on this one.”
      While a fifth said: “Naughty boy Toney, moving the ball & the foam whilst ref wasn’t looking! Still a useless wall with that gap & GK in wrong position.”
      Toney curled the free-kick into the corner having moved the ball slightly to the rightCredit: X formerly Twitter / @SkySportsPL More

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      Bizarre moment bitter referee sends off footie star for ‘disrespectful’ act at end of match

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      A REFEREE issued the most bizarre red card after a highly unusual incident that saw him getting trolled in Turkey.Ilker Yasin Avcı blew his whistle for last time on Sunday following the Turkish second-division match between Genclerbirligi and Sakaryaspor.
      A referee pulled out the strangest red card in Turkey
      Sakaryaspor ace Murat Cem Akpınar trolled referee Ilker Yasin Avcı
      Akpinar went for a handshake but pulled his hand away and Avci sent him off
      That was when Sakarayaspor ace Murat Cem Akpınar, who plays on loan from Trabzonspor, approached the ref and extended his arm to seemingly shake his hand.
      And just when the official was ready to return the favour – in what he thought was an act of sportsmanship – Akpinar pulled his hand away.
      That enraged Avci who immediately reached into his pocket and whipped out a yellow card.
      That was the midfielder’s second booking of the night and it ultimately led to a red card.
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      Fans were divided on social media as some thought the Turkish ace deserved to be sent off as he was “disrespectful” but others argued the referee was just being a little too bitter.
      One fan tweeted: “IS THERE REALLY SUCH A RULE?”
      Another commented: “He deserved it.”
      A third wondered: “What happened?”
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      This fan said: “Since when is that a red card?”
      And that one wrote: “I was going to ask if there is such an application, but the football player was disrespectful.”
      Genclerbirligi won 3-1 at home and Sakaryaspor were left unhappy with Avci’s officiating.
      The visitors’ chief Semih Ciftci and technical manager Turgay Karslı criticised the official and the linesman after the game.
      Fans were left divided on social media as to whether the ref was right
      Ciftci said: “The referees were very malicious. There was a penalty in the second half. We say, ‘Let them show the position on VAR’.
      “The referee said, ‘No! Don’t talk or I’ll give you a yellow card’. Also, the linesmen threatened us and did not let us talk. They give a yellow card to anyone who objects.
      “They are threatening speeches on the field. We cannot express ourselves.
      “In the position for the second goal, the opponent player takes [Rajko] Rotman down to the ground as if wrestling. How can they not see this? It’s incredible, we can’t understand it.
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      “We could not understand these decisions of the referees. How do these happen, and on what basis are these decisions made? Let these be explained and let them tell us.
      “Let’s say ‘thank you’ and be content with our rights. But we will not remain silent this way.” More

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      Asian Cup ace escapes red card for horror flying kick as fans say WWE star ‘would be proud’

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      LEBANON star Khalil Khamis escaped a red card after a horror FLYING KICK on China’s Dai Wai Tsun in the Asian Cup.Fans went crazy as the shocking head-high challenge wasn’t even given as a foul by the referee.
      Khalil Khamis brutally kicked China midfielder Dai Wai Tsun in the faceCredit: reddit
      And fans have been left outraged with the WWE style kickCredit: reddit
      The challenge was not deemed a red card offence and wasn’t even given as a foulCredit: AFP
      The 23rd minute incident saw Khamis, 29, attempt to clear his lines with his foot during their goalless draw in Group A.
      But after he smashes the ball away, he follows through with a stud led kick to Tsun’s face.
      As the midfielder goes down in agony clutching his face, Khamis protests his innocence as China’s players call for a card.
      But referee Hyung-Jin Ko blows his whistle to signal there was an offside in the build up to the Lebanese defender’s clearance.
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      Despite VAR reportedly having a look at the incident, no foul was given and no card was awarded.
      Fans were both confused and outraged over the decision, with one writing on Reddit: ” This is an MMA kick to the face.”
      A second joked: “WWE star Sheamus would be proud.”
      A third wrote: “He took the ball…and the eye of the opposing player.”
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      The opposite occurred yesterday when South Korea beat Bahrain 3-1 in their Group E opener.
      Five South Korean players and two Bahraini players received yellow cards from referee Ma Ning, and manager Jurgen Klinsmann blamed the officials for making it “a tricky game.”
      Bayern defender Kim Min-jae was booked early on, and Tottenham captain Son Heung-min, was called for diving in the Bahrain box in the final minutes.
      Son saw a yellow for simulationCredit: Getty More

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      Audio of Martin Odegaard’s handball against Liverpool is released as Howard Webb reveals referee got decision WRONG

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      HOWARD WEBB has revealed Liverpool SHOULD have been awarded a penalty in their 1-1 draw with Arsenal last month.The former Premier League referee gave his thought on the incident after releasing the VAR audio in the latest instalment of Match Officials Mic’d Up.
      VAR audio from Martin Odegaard’s handball against Liverpool has been releasedCredit: Premier League
      PGMOL chief Howard Webb talks through VAR’s decision to not award Liverpool a penalty for a possible handball against Arsenal’s Martin Odegaard 👇 pic.twitter.com/xAOm6o4xLM— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) January 16, 2024

      Liverpool were denied a penalty by referee Chris Kavanagh during the match at Anfield on December 23.
      Mohamed Salah had attempted to flick the ball round Martin Odegaard when the ball hit the Arsenal captain’s arm.
      However, a VAR review into the incident confirmed Kavanagh’s on-field decision.
      The audio from the decision shows Kavanagh saying: “No, his hand’s on the floor. His hand’s on the floor,” as the Liverpool players appealed for penalty.
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      Assistant VAR Lee Betts can then be heard during the review saying: “Yeah, from the brief look I’ve seen, yeah, agreed, yeah, yeah.”
      VAR David Coote then confirms the decision, explaining: “For me, Lee, I’m back with live. So, he’s falling down, he’s moving his arms in towards him, so it’s check complete for me.”
      Webb and former Liverpool striker Michael Owen disagreed with that analysis on Match Officials Mic’d Up, though.
      Ex-Red Owen admitted: “I thought it was a penalty,” before Webb explained his views on the decision.
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      “So do I,” the PGMOL chief responded. “The referee on the field recognised that Odegaard had slipped and saw his arm go towards the ground. 
      “We talk about ‘supporting arms’. If somebody falls, breaks their fall with the arm, it’s all very natural and a pretty well-established concept. In this situation. though, there’s an important difference to a normal play that’s falling.
      “This is not just Odegaard accidentally falling on to the ball. He does slip, his arm does go out, but he actually pulls his arm back in towards his body, which is when the ball makes contact with the arm.
      “The VAR looked at that aspect. He felt it was a case of Odegaard trying to make himself actually smaller by bringing the arm back towards the body. That is the element that’s important here.
      “Whether it’s instinctive or deliberate, he gets a huge advantage by bringing the arm back towards the ball. All the feedback we got afterwards was very clear. The game expects a penalty in this situation. I would agree.”
      Webb argued that the red card for Fulham’s Raul Jimenez at Newcastle and penalty awarded – also on review – for Tottenham’s Dejan Kulusevski’s “sustained” tug on Brighton striker Danny Welbeck, were correct interventions.
      Howard Webb revealed referee Chris Kavanagh should have given a penaltyCredit: Premier League
      He also backed Manchester City’s crucial penalty in the win at Everton, where the Toffees argued Amadou Onana was too close to the Nathan Ake shot to be penalised.
      But more surprisingly perhaps, the former World Cup final whistler said VAR Michael Salisbury was justified in allowing Luton’s last-gasp leveller at Turf Moor to stand.
      Burnley were furious, convinced that Elijah Adebayo had fouled keeper James Trafford before Carlton Morris headed home.
      But ref Tony Harrington’s initial view that Trafford has instigated the contact was eventually backed by Salisbury’s belief it was “not a clear and obvious error”.
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      Webb said: “I can understand why Burnley would expect a free-kick but I’ve spoken to a whole host of people who don’t see it that way.
      “VAR was brought in to rectify very clear situations. This was a grey one, not black and white. It split opinions so the VAR came out in the right place.” More