Refereeing

Subterms

    More stories

    • 300 Shares109 Views

      in Soccer

      I played with David Beckham for my club and against him at the World Cup, now I’m making my way in brand new career

      by

      CHRIS BIRCHALL was David Beckham’s team-mate at LA Galaxy and faced England at the 2006 World Cup.But now he has traded the high life of LA and glitz and glamour of international football for pounding the Staffordshire mud as a REFEREE.Chris Birchall is on red alert for a career as a whistlerCredit: Paul TongeBirchall says England legend David Beckham was humble both as an international opponent and club team-mateCredit: GettyBirchall and Becks won the MLS Cup with LA Galaxy in 2011Credit: News Group Newspapers LtdChris Birchall with a framed David Beckham personalised signed shirtThe  ex-midfielder, 39, lined up against the likes of Wayne Rooney, Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard and Becks while playing for Trinidad & Tobago in Germany.Stafford-born Birchall, who qualified for the Caribbean islands through his mum, spent three seasons in LA.Hanging on a wall at home in Newcastle-under-Lyme is a personalised signed Beckham shirt and a photo of the pair when they won the MLS Cup in 2011.He said: “David was great with me. Although I played with him towards the end of his career, wow what a player. He could pick you out with a pass from 40 yards.READ MORE TOP STORIES“There was banter between us as English guys. He’d come into training every morning and say to me, ‘Hi, Mr Perfect’ and I was like, ‘If anyone should be called that it’s you!’“He sends video messages when it’s my lad’s birthday and I’ll text him when any big news happens. He’s humble and the type of person you want to be associated with.”Trinidad & Tobago — the Soca Warriors —  elevated Birchall’s career. While still a 22-year-old League One footballer at Port Vale, he found himself up against the Three Lions.England needed two late goals to win 2-0 in the group game before their World Cup quarter-final exit to Portugal. Most read in FootballThe ex-Trinidad & Tobago ace reckons VAR has big weaknessesCredit: Paul TongeCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSBirchall said: “My biggest memory was Beckham shaking my hand at the end and telling me, ‘You had one hell of a game’. He was my hero so that was special.“It’s amazing looking back — lining up against Beckham, Scholes, Owen, Rooney, Ferdinand.  That squad should have won a World Cup.” Watch former Bohemians star score from own half with shot to rival David Beckham’s iconic goalBirchall — who also played for  Coventry, Port Vale and Brighton before retiring in 2016 — started the process of becoming an official six months ago.He said: “I’d love to ref in the EFL. The hardest things are positioning  yourself and making split-second decisions.”Birchall would like other former players to lend their experience to help the PGMOL stop the controversies ruining football.He said: “The way certain laws are written tie the hands of refs. There’s no room for common sense.“If an incident ticks all the boxes, you must give a certain decision. Yet if you’ve played you know every incident is different and whether a player meant to do something.He sends video messages when it’s my lad’s birthday and I’ll text him when any big news happens. He’s humble and the type of person you want to be associated with.Chris Birchall on David Beckham“Take handball — a ball’s blasted at you from ten yards. You might be jumping with your arms slightly away from your body and as you’re landing the ball touches your hand. That isn’t a penalty but they’re given.“The diving and simulation is ridiculous. That’s where I’d like to use my experience. Ex-footballers can see the tricks of the trade.“I’ve sympathy for a ref who has a split second to make a decision and then has VAR putting him under pressure to change it after viewing a replay at one thousandth of a second. The game isn’t played in slo-mo.”Birchall saw his ex-club Coventry denied what would have been an incredible win against Manchester United in the FA Cup semi-final.Victor Torp thought he had scored a 120th-minute winner to complete a fightback from 3-0 down. Ref Rob Jones gave the goal but VAR told him Haji Wright was a CENTIMETRE offside!Birchall took on Frank Lampard & Co in the 2006 World CupCredit: GettyHe rose to a momentous occasion against the Three Lions 18 years agoCredit: GettyBirchall said: “This is where VAR kills football. That decision affected a club’s history as Coventry would’ve reached the final having staged one of the greatest ever comebacks.“VAR wasn’t brought in to decide offside by a toenail or to take three minutes to work out.“If it’s level to the naked eye, award the goal — give the advantage to the striker as it used to be. We want to see goals, not find reasons to disallow them.”PGMOL chief Howard Webb wants to welcome ex-players into refereeing and Birchall hopes to see his peers and officials work together.He said: “I don’t want a battle between ex-footballers and refs. It’s about educating refs from a player’s perspective and the other way round.“Paul Merson slates refs on Soccer Saturday — some stuff he’s saying as an ex-player is correct. But it’s often not the ref’s fault, it’s the law that’s written that needs changing.”The high life of LA has gone, now it’s back to earthy EnglandCredit: Paul TongeBirchall gives our man Justin Allen more than just the lowdownCredit: Paul TongeBirchall concedes you cannot make a living refereeing at grassroots level and that perhaps puts ex-players off, especially those who played professionally in the lower divisions and are not wealthy.However, he believes the PGMOL should team up with the PFA, FA and clubs to encourage footballers still playing to take courses.He said: “Unless you’ve made good money from your career, you need a job while you’re developing to reach a level where you might get an income.READ MORE SUN STORIES“They need to be telling footballers towards the end of their careers, ‘You can do this while you’re still playing.’“There needs to be that transition from when they retire to going straight into refereeing or at least have a platform.” More

    • 213 Shares199 Views

      in Soccer

      Premier League release full audio of Everton vs Nottingham Forest VAR decisions as Howard Webb admits mistake

      by

      HOWARD WEBB has admitted the referee and VAR made a mistake by not awarding Nottingham Forest a penalty against Everton.Forest fumed following their 2-0 defeat to the Toffees claiming they were wrongly denied with penalties.PGMOL chief Howard Webb admitted Nottingham Forest should have been awarded a penaltyCredit: Sky SportsThe ref and VAR mistakenly believed Ashley Young made contact with the ballCredit: Sky SportsNottingham Forest released a statement slamming the PGMOL after the matchCredit: Sky SportsThe club released a statement condemning the PGMOL and their appointment of Stuart Attwell as VAR, claiming he is a Luton fan.Forest are now likely to be hit by FOUR FA charges for their response, despite the Premier League Key Match Incident panel admitting they should have been awarded a penalty for Ashley Young’s tackle on Calum Hudson-Odoi.Now PGMOL chief Webb has also accepted referee Anthony Taylor and VAR Attwell made the incorrect decision not to award Forest a spot-kick, as they both mistakenly believed Young had made contact with the ball.He said on Sky Sports: “We would have preferred an intervention on the situation.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”The referee waves away the penalty appeal, the VAR looks at it and asks himself the question – was the non-award clearly and obviously wrong and came to the conclusion that is wasn’t.”He doesn’t see a clear action by Young that he considers to be worthy of intervention, one that reaches the threshold of being very clear. “We would have preferred an intervention for the referee to go to the screen to make a judgement for himself in this situation, and he probably would have come out with a different outcome if that had happened.”Young brought down Hudson-Odoi inside the penalty area after the winger was played through on goal by a team-mate.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSThe incident had a big impact on the game as Forest would have been given the opportunity to level the game if a penalty had been awarded.Instead they were beaten which led to their furious statement, which read: “Three extremely poor decisions – three penalties not given – which we simply cannot accept.Nottingham Forest ‘consider SUING Gary Neville’ after Man Utd legend’s ‘mafia gang’ comment on Sky Sports”We warned the PGMOL that the VAR is a Luton fan before the game but they didn’t change him.”Our patience has been tested multiple times. NFFC will now consider its options.”Klopp has botched his Liverpool exit… and it’s cost him his legacy, says Dave KiddBy Dave Kidd
      NOW we know Jurgen Klopp’s final major trophy haul at Liverpool — one Champions League, one Premier League, one FA Cup, two League Cups and (if you must) a World Club Cup.
      But where does his reign stand among the greatest of the Premier League era?
      In black-and-white terms, Klopp is way behind Sir Alex Ferguson and Pep Guardiola, the only two men to have won multiple Premier Leagues and a Champions League at the same club.
      Those two sit alongside Brian Clough, Bob Paisley and Sir Matt Busby as the undoubted all-time managerial greats of the English game.
      But Klopp ranks in the next tier down — with Arsene Wenger, Jose Mourinho (the Chelsea version), Bill Shankly and Don Revie.
      These were all men with the strength of character to transform their clubs in their own image and enjoy success but who did not win as much as they might have done.
      Had Klopp managed to keep his intentions under wraps and ended up with another title, perhaps even a treble or quadruple, he’d have edged himself up into that highest echelon with Ferguson, Guardiola, Clough, Paisley and Busby.
      But deciding the timing and the manner of your exit is one of the toughest calls for any manager or sportsman.
      Klopp got it wrong.
      Read Dave Kidd’s take on Klopp’s demise in full here.
      Or click here to check out all of Dave Kidd’s articles. More

    • 238 Shares149 Views

      in Soccer

      Premier League referee doesn’t make the big decisions and uses VAR as backup, suggests former top ref Mark Halsey

      by

      CHELSEA felt aggrieved when Axel Disasi’s stoppage-time winner was disallowed in the 2-2 draw with Aston Villa.But I was baffled why VAR got involved because it wasn’t a clear and obvious error.VAR intervened to overrule Craig Pawson’s decision at Villa Park on SaturdayCredit: GettyEx-Premier League referee Mark Halsey feels Pawson needs to be more decisive during games to minimise the role of VARCredit: Getty Images – GettyChelsea thought they had scored a last minute winner through Axel Disasi but saw VAR intervene and the goal ruled outCredit: EPAPawson went to the monitor and disallowed the goal but Halsey felt he had a good enough view of the incident to blow for a free kick straight awayCredit: AFPReferee Craig Pawson had a great view of the incident, he was looking directly at both players and allowed play to continue.If Pawson thought it was a foul by Benoit Badiashile on Diego Carlos then why didn’t he award a free-kick straight away? I felt it was a foul but Pawson had to give it in real time and then there wouldn’t have been a fuss afterwards.My big problem with this incident is it’s a classic case of technology re-refereeing a game and not what VAR is there for.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLVAR official Chris Kavanagh recommended an on-field review and Pawson changed his mind. I’ve watched Pawson for a long time and he does not seem to make the big decisions and uses VAR as a back-up.Although we got the right decision, the process of how we got there is not how we should be operating VAR in the Premier League.Chelsea stars protested madly at the end of their 2-2 draw with Aston Villa and had to be pushed away from Pawson by the Blues coaching staff.Most read in FootballBadiashile and Madueke were fuming with the referee and linesmen following the final whistle and had to be restrained by coaches.BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSChelsea’s penalty chaosMAURICIO POCHETTINO has been tearing his hair out watching Chelsea’s stars fight over penalties again and again. Here are all their spot kick lowlights

      CHELSEA 2-2 ARSENAL (23rd October, 2023)GOAL Raheem Sterling immediately picks up the ball to take Chelsea’s spot kick before Cole Palmer approaches. Enzo Fernandez intervenes to give the ball to Palmer, who sends David Raya the wrong way to score.
      CHELSEA 4 LEICESTER CITY 2 (17th March, 2024)MISS Raheem Sterling wins a penalty and this time is handed the ball by Palmer. However, he fires it down the middle and sees his kick comfortably saved. Leicester later recover to 2-2 from 2-0 down and Sterling is booed every time he touches the ball by a section of the home crowd.
      CHELSEA 4 MANCHESTER UNITED 3 (4th April, 2024)GOAL Noni Madueke makes an audacious attempt to take the ball off Palmer after winning a 98th minute penalty with the Blues 3-2 down but is pulled away by Trevoh Chalobah. Palmer sends Andre Onana the wrong way before scoring a winner two minutes later.
      CHELSEA 6 EVERTON 0 (15th April, 2024)GOAL Madueke picks up the ball immediately after Chelsea are awarded a penalty at 4-0 up, but a furious Nicolas Jackson rushes in wanting to take the kick and shoves the winger. Captain Conor Gallagher has to intervene to give the ball to Palmer, who scores. Pochettino blasts his team’s behaviour as “like being at school”.

      Madueke was evidently still fuming with the decision when probed by the BBC post-match.He said: “Should it have been three points? Yes.”Mauricio Pochettino claims VAR has ‘damaged’ five things in scathing rant after ref changes mind over late Chelsea goalMadueke, 22, added: “Do I think the goal should have stood? Yes. Nothing else to say about the situation.”Manager Mauricio Pochettino also bemoaned the intervention of VAR after the game, saying: “Well VAR changed the decision of the referee.”That was for me a normal challenge that can happen in normal action.”That damaged a little bit the Premier League and its image.”It’s damaged myself, damaged my team, damaged my players, my fans, damaged football.” More

    • 200 Shares169 Views

      in Soccer

      Sickened fans left ‘cringing’ for assistant ref after spotting his customised boots during Bournemouth vs Brighton

      by

      FANS have been left “cringing” after noticing that the assistant referee for Bournemouth vs Brighton was wearing personalised boots.Supporters are normally used to players showing their personality with some custom clobber but official Scott Ledger has joined in on the fun too.Premier League official Scott Ledger has been seen wearing customised bootsCredit: GettyLedger was sporting some black boots with his nickname printed on themCredit: GettyLedger, who was running the line during the Bournemouth’s 3-0 win, was spotted wearing boots adorned with his nickname.The Barnsley man was donning some all-black Nike boots with the word “LEDGE” alongside the England flag printed on the upper.Fans couldn’t believe what they were seeing and took to social media to voice their opinions on the custom boots.One wrote: “Cringing for him tbh”.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLWhile others used words like “tragic” and “embarrassing” to describe the controversial outfit choice.Another joked: “Sackable offence surely”.And a further unhappy viewer commented: “Refs wanna be centre of attention always. It’s going to their heads. Poor to see!”He’s not the first Premier League referee to be spotted slipping into some customised footwear either.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSFormer top flight official-turned-PGMOL chief Jonathon Moss was seen wearing boots with “MOSSY” written on them back in 2020.Despite the social media outcry regarding Ledger’s boots it obviously had no impact on his ability to properly officiate the game as he, Paul Tierney and Mat Wilkes oversaw Bournemouth’s 3-0 win over Brighton.The Cherries continued their electric form under Andoni Iraola thanks to goals from Macros Sensesi, Enes Unal and Justin Kluivert.While Brighton continue to struggle with the Seagulls now winless in their last six Premier League games and producing an embarrassing “goal of the month”.Our beautiful game is broken, says Dave KiddBy Dave Kidd
      WHEN Manchester United got lucky in their FA Cup semi-final, Antony’s first instinct was to goad heartbroken opponents Coventry. To rub their noses in the dirt.
      Antony seems to be a vile individual but this isn’t really about Antony. Because Antony is merely a symptom of the hideous sickness within England’s top flight.
      There is so much wrong.
      After our elite clubs persuaded the FA to completely scrap Cup replays — which gave us Ronnie Radford and Ricky Villa and Ryan Giggs — without due recompense or reasoning with the rest of English football.
      The previous day, after his Manchester City side had defeated Chelsea in the other FA Cup semi-final, Pep Guardiola whinged about the fixture scheduling of TV companies who effectively pay much of his £20m salary.
      Up at Wolves, Guardiola’s friend and rival Mikel Arteta was playing the same sad song about fixture congestion, despite his Arsenal side having played two fewer games this season than Coventry — who don’t have £50m squad players to rotate with.
      Chelsea, oh Chelsea. The one-time plaything of a Russian oligarch now owned by financially incontinent venture capitalists who have piddled £1billion on a squad of players who fight like weasels in a sack about who should bask in the personal glory of scoring the penalty that puts them 5-0 up against Everton.
      Read Dave Kidd’s full column as he takes aim at Nottingham Forest, Fulham’s ticket prices, the 39th game, VAR and much more… More

    • 250 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Tottenham get penalty after quickest VAR review ever as ref blasted for missing Declan Rice ‘kick Davies in the balls’

      by

      TOTTENHAM were awarded a penalty against Arsenal by VAR after Michael Oliver missed a “kick in the balls”.The referee initially waved play on before penalising Declan Rice for a foul on Ben Davies.Michael Oliver awarded a penalty to Tottenham after a brief VAR reviewCredit: Premier LeagueThe spot-kick was only given following the intervention of VARCredit: Premier LeagueHowever, with the Spurs defender left rolling around in agony, he was quickly sent to the monitor to review the incident.Oliver pointed to the spot after a matter of seconds having seen the incident again.Davies had beaten Rice to the ball as he attempted to clear it from inside the Arsenal penalty area.As a result, the midfielder’s follow through upended Davies and left the Welshman in pain.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLGary Neville had immediately called for a penalty on commentary after the contact, with fans shocked Oliver missed the foul at first.Reacting on social media, one supporter wrote: “The fact Michael Oliver needed VAR for that, is brazy. Rice almost kicked his balls.”Another added: “Michael Oliver didn’t see Rice kick somebody straight in the plumbs from three yards away!!!”A third fan also commented: “Michael Oliver is about five feet from that Rice foul and doesn’t give the penalty.”Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSMeanwhile, one more said: “He’s five yards away and he can’t see Rice kick him in the balls? They can’t keep relying on VAR.”Son Heung-min stepped up from 12 yards to dispatch the resulting penalty and set up a tense finish in North London.Eight times Arsenal and Tottenham’s North London rivalry got pettySpurs had trailed 3-0 at half-time before mounting a second half comeback.The penalty reduced the deficit to 3-2 after Cristian Romero had earlier capitalised on a mistake from David Raya.However, despite late pressure from the hosts, Arsenal held on to secure a narrow derby victory.The result sees Mikel Arteta’s side move four points clear of Manchester City at the top of the table.City could cut the gap back down to one by beating Nottingham Forest this afternoon, though. More

    • 238 Shares109 Views

      in Soccer

      Raging Chelsea stars pushed away from referee and linesmen by Blues coaches in explosive bust-up after VAR stops goal

      by

      RAGING Chelsea stars were forced away from officials after protesting their disallowed winner at Aston Villa. The Blues came from two behind to level the game thanks to Noni Madueke and Conor Gallagher. Chelsea stars were forced away from officials after protesting their disallowed winner at Aston VillaCredit: GettyNoni Madueke had to be restrained by a Chelsea coachCredit: ReutersAnd the visitors thought they had won the game at the death after Axel Disasi headed home what looked to be a late winner.But VAR ruled it out after adjudging that Benoit Badiashile had nudged Diego Carlos in the back illegally in the build-up to the goal. It denied Chelsea a come-from-behind victory and their players were incensed at full time.Badiashile and Madueke were fuming with the referee and linesmen following the final whistle and had to be restrained by coaches. READ MORE IN football Madueke was evidently still fuming with the decision when probed by the BBC post-match. He said: “Should it have been three points? Yes.”Madueke, 22, added: “Do I think the goal should have stood? Yes. Nothing else to say about the situation.” Under-fire Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino was equally angry in the aftermath as he told TNT Sports: “Everyone that was watching the game will feel disappointed. Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS”The referee said it was a foul and disallowed the goal and then going to the VAR to confirm.”The referee is unbelievable and it’s ridiculous. It is difficult to accept, these type of things in the semi-final [FA Cup against Man City] two weeks ago it was handball and it was no penalty, the referee he didn’t check it.Mauricio Pochettino claims VAR has ‘damaged’ five things in scathing rant after ref changes mind over late Chelsea goal”It is painful as it has damaged English football and I think Villa players and their fans didn’t understand why the goal was disallowed.”They said it was foul and if you see the challenge what happened if we go into every single challenge like this it is going to be a foul and we wouldn’t finish the game with 11 [players].”We can talk about the performance or the decision – it is damaging the game. I am calm and it is only to help. “Now, we have to move on and it will be in the headlines with the disallowed goal.”Our beautiful game is broken, says Dave KiddBy Dave Kidd
      WHEN Manchester United got lucky in their FA Cup semi-final, Antony’s first instinct was to goad heartbroken opponents Coventry. To rub their noses in the dirt.
      Antony seems to be a vile individual but this isn’t really about Antony. Because Antony is merely a symptom of the hideous sickness within England’s top flight.
      There is so much wrong.
      After our elite clubs persuaded the FA to completely scrap Cup replays — which gave us Ronnie Radford and Ricky Villa and Ryan Giggs — without due recompense or reasoning with the rest of English football.
      The previous day, after his Manchester City side had defeated Chelsea in the other FA Cup semi-final, Pep Guardiola whinged about the fixture scheduling of TV companies who effectively pay much of his £20m salary.
      Up at Wolves, Guardiola’s friend and rival Mikel Arteta was playing the same sad song about fixture congestion, despite his Arsenal side having played two fewer games this season than Coventry — who don’t have £50m squad players to rotate with.
      Chelsea, oh Chelsea. The one-time plaything of a Russian oligarch now owned by financially incontinent venture capitalists who have piddled £1billion on a squad of players who fight like weasels in a sack about who should bask in the personal glory of scoring the penalty that puts them 5-0 up against Everton.
      Read Dave Kidd’s full column as he takes aim at Nottingham Forest, Fulham’s ticket prices, the 39th game, VAR and much more…

      Mauricio Pochettino raged after Chelsea’s 1-1 drawCredit: AFP More

    • 238 Shares159 Views

      in Soccer

      Mauricio Pochettino claims VAR has ‘damaged’ SEVEN things in scathing rant after ref changes mind over late Chelsea goal

      by

      MAURICIO POCHETTINO slammed VAR for damaging SEVEN aspects of football.The Chelsea manager, 52, was left furious on Saturday evening when his side had two goals against Aston Villa chalked off by the video assistant referee at Stockley Park. Mauricio Pochettino was furious with referee Craig Pawson for ruling out a late Chelsea winner at Aston VillaCredit: PAThe Argentine let rip during his Match of the Day interviewCredit: BBCBenoit Badiashile was penalised for bundling into Diego CarlosCredit: BBCFirstly, Nicolas Jackson was just offside before racing through and finishing into the back of the net.Then deep into injury-time, Axel Disasi thought he had completed a memorable turnaround from 2-0 down to seal a stunning 3-2 victory.The header sparked incredible scenes between the Chelsea players and fans.But VAR Chris Kavanagh told referee Craig Pawson to go over to the pitchside monitor to watch the replays.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLAnd the official decided Benoit Badiashile had fouled Diego Carlos at the back post by pushing him in the back during the corner routine that led to Disasi’s header. Pochettino, though, was livid with the controversial call – and believes VAR is wrecking multiple different aspects of the beautiful game.The under-pressure Argentine – whose side are ninth – fumed on Match of the Day: “Well VAR changed the decision of the referee.”That was for me a normal challenge that can happen in normal action. Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS”That damaged a little bit the Premier League and its image. “It’s damaged myself, damaged my team, damaged my players, my fans, damaged football.”Chelsea’s top summer transfer targetsChelsea players were seething when Pawson blew the full-time whistle, immediately racing to confront him.Disasi, Badiashile, Marc Cucurella, Trevoh Chalobah, Moises Caicedo and Noni Madueke all made their way to the referee to make their angry feelings clear.Badiashile and Madueke were both booked for their protests as Chelsea coaches had to calm them down and drag them away – before Pochettino walked over to remonstrate with the officials.Gary Lineker, Alan Shearer and Ian Wright discussed the incident in the Match of the Day studio – and were left frustrated with VAR’s intervention. Shearer said: “When they give the foul and there’s not enough to overturn it, well it’s the opposite on this one.Our beautiful game is broken, says Dave KiddBy Dave Kidd
      WHEN Manchester United got lucky in their FA Cup semi-final, Antony’s first instinct was to goad heartbroken opponents Coventry. To rub their noses in the dirt.
      Antony seems to be a vile individual but this isn’t really about Antony. Because Antony is merely a symptom of the hideous sickness within England’s top flight.
      There is so much wrong.
      After our elite clubs persuaded the FA to completely scrap Cup replays — which gave us Ronnie Radford and Ricky Villa and Ryan Giggs — without due recompense or reasoning with the rest of English football.
      The previous day, after his Manchester City side had defeated Chelsea in the other FA Cup semi-final, Pep Guardiola whinged about the fixture scheduling of TV companies who effectively pay much of his £20m salary.
      Up at Wolves, Guardiola’s friend and rival Mikel Arteta was playing the same sad song about fixture congestion, despite his Arsenal side having played two fewer games this season than Coventry — who don’t have £50m squad players to rotate with.
      Chelsea, oh Chelsea. The one-time plaything of a Russian oligarch now owned by financially incontinent venture capitalists who have piddled £1billion on a squad of players who fight like weasels in a sack about who should bask in the personal glory of scoring the penalty that puts them 5-0 up against Everton.
      Read Dave Kidd’s full column as he takes aim at Nottingham Forest, Fulham’s ticket prices, the 39th game, VAR and much more…

      “I think the defender knows what he is doing. He sticks his arm out and then he’s backing into him [Badiashile].”Once the referee gives that [the goal], I’m not 100 per cent certain, is that an absolute howler?”Lineker answered with an emphatic “no” and suggested it was “six of one and half a dozen of the other” from Badiashile and Carlos.Wright added: “I think he’s probably given it because of how aggressive Badiashile looks when he’s going for him. READ MORE SUN STORIES”They’ve lowered the bar again, they do what they want. “Let’s get rid of it! Let’s get rid of it.”Badiashile and Noni Madueke were booked after the full-time whistleCredit: GettyAxel Disasi produced a superb diving header deep into injury-timeCredit: EPADisasi’s header sparked wild scenes in the away endCredit: AFPPawson watched replays of the incident on the pitchside monitorCredit: AFPThe ref confirmed he was ruling the goal outCredit: ReutersThe decision was displayed on the big screen to the delight of the home fansCredit: Reuters More

    • 238 Shares169 Views

      in Soccer

      Watch moment Anthony Taylor denies Liverpool one of most bizarre goals of season with TNT Sports viewers left confused

      by

      FANS are demanding answers after Liverpool were denied an easy goal by one of the most mystifying decisions of the season.Some viewers even reckoned referee Anthony Taylor “knew he messed up” as they watched his actions after the bizarre incident, in a 2-2 draw at West Ham.Referee Anthony Taylor waved play-on after West Ham keeper Alphonse Areola took a tumble claiming a high ballCredit: X @footballontntFans were left confused as Areola then appeared to present Liverpool with an open goalCredit: TNT SportsCody Gakpo spotted his opportunity to score after Areola rolled the ball awayCredit: TNT SportsGakpo couldn’t believe it when referee Anthony Taylor blew his whistleCredit: TNT SportsThe controversy began when home keeper Alphonse Areola tumbled to the ground after gathering a high ball under pressure.Taylor immediately waved play on – as he raised his arm and jogged away.Areola was then helped up by two players, with the ball still in his hands.But what the French keeper did next left everybody in the London Stadium scratching their heads.READ MORE TOP STORIESAs players on both sides waiting for Areola to pass to a team-mate or punt the ball upfield, he instead rolled the ball in front of him as if to take a free-kick.The stopper even bent down to adjust his socks, with the ball now yards away from him.Reds’ attacker Cody Gakpo spotted his surprise opportunity – running back into the area to take possession.But it was then that the watching Taylor finally blew his whistle to stop an incredulous Gakpo from scoring a certain goal.Most read in FootballThe referee got it right… mostly, says Mark HalseyTHE Sun’s ex-Prem whistler gives his verdict on the controversy:

      ANTHONY TAYLOR did NOT make a mistake by stopping Cody Gakpo from scoring what would have been one of the strangest and most controversial goals of the season.
      Taylor spotted an infringement on West Ham goalkeeper Alphonse Areola by Gakpo late on when the score was 2-2 and Liverpool were chasing a winner.
      Referee Taylor saw the incident clearly but signalled play on by raising an arm. Areola went down injured, got up and then lets go of the ball thinking he has been awarded a free-kick.
      Gakpo was about to score when Taylor saw what was happening and blew his whistle – but this was not an error. If advantage is signalled and no advantage follows then an official is allowed to go back and stop play.
      Where Taylor did make a mistake however was by restarting play with a drop ball – it should have been a free-kick. This is what caused all the fuss.
      It would have been better if Taylor had blown for a foul in the first place.

      BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSNext, Taylor strode back to Areola, put his hand on the keeper and appeared to convince him to call for West Ham’s physio to come on.The French keeper at first appeared to suggest he was fine, before stretching his leg as if in pain and accepting the offer of treatment.A bizarre incident in the West Ham vs Liverpool game.Anthony Taylor denied Cody Gakpo taking the ball away from Alphonse Areola in front of goal…Was there a whistle here? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/myjWF8xnX2— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) April 27, 2024

      Fans were puzzled by this exchange between Taylor and Areola after the referee halted play to call on the physioCredit: X @footballontntMo Salah held back by team-mates after explosive touchline row with Jurgen Klopp before coming on at West HamAnd the whole incident left everybody watching on baffled, with many taking to social media.One fan went back to the start of the matter as he wrote: “He (Taylor) actually motions for the keeper to get up – makes it even worse.”Another said: “Didn’t hear a whistle, ref just botched it. Classic Taylor messing up when it actually matters, smh.”A third argued: “Taylor only called the physio on because he knows he f***ed up.”And a fourth hit out: “Like to see them explain this one!”Another fan was equally curious over the end of the incident.He wrote: “Want to hear what Taylor said to the keeper for the keeper to go from pulling his socks up to being injured.”But a few viewers suggested the ideal response from Liverpool’s Dutch raider would have been to slot the ball home to see if VAR intervened.Such verdicts included: “Gakpo should have just put the ball in the net. Worst case scenario he would have been booked, but the goal could have stood.”Despite fan anger, The Sun’s ex-Prem whistler Mark Halsey insisted the ref was RIGHT.Halsey believes Taylor spotted a foul on Areola and halted the action when the Hammers had no advantage.READ MORE SUN STORIESHalsey said: Gakpo was about to score when Taylor saw what was happening and blew his whistle – but this was not an error.”If advantage is signalled and no advantage follows then an official is allowed to go back and stop play.”Arne Slot’s record is WORSE than Erik ten Hag’s
      ARNE SLOT is set to be tasked with a near-impossible job – replacing Jurgen Klopp at Anfield.
      Should he swap the Eredivisie for the Premier League, Slot will follow in the footsteps of fellow follically-challenged Dutchman Erik ten Hag.
      Ten Hag left Ajax to become Manchester United manager in 2022.
      But he has suffered a nightmare spell at Old Trafford and appears to be a dead-man walking despite making the FA Cup final.
      With Slot seemingly destined for Anfield, fans won’t be able to help but compare his record in Holland with Ten Hag’s.
      And Reds supporters won’t like what they see.
      Click here to see all the stats… More