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      Rarely-seen referee decision made in Liverpool vs Everton leaving TNT Sports commentators confused

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      TNT SPORTS commentators and fans alike were left bemused after the officials in the Merseyside derby made a rarely-seen decision. As the game was coming to a close the fourth official readied his board to indicate how much time would be added on.
      Officials in the Merseyside derby only added nine minutes of added time after initially indicating there would be ten
      But despite initially preparing to show ten minutes of additional time, Thomas Bramall seemed to change his mind.
      He changed the board and ultimately only added on nine minutes to the end of the second half.
      TNT Sports’ lead commentator Darren Fletcher couldn’t understand the decision and seemed puzzled as to how it had happened.
      But Everton fans may be glad that they didn’t have to endure more added time as Liverpool doubled their lead in the 97th minute.
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      The Reds wound up 2-0 winners at Anfield thanks to a Mohamed Salah brace.
      And it was an action packed affair as would be expected from the historically feisty fixture.
      It lived up to its reputation for the most red cards in a Premier League fixture in history when Ashley Young was given his marching orders in the first half.
      Before Liverpool finally broke the deadlock in the 75th minute from a Salah penalty.
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      Mohamed Salah’s brace secured all three points for LiverpoolCredit: Reuters
      While Everton fans don’t have much to complain about with Young’s dismissal they have been left fuming with referee Craig Pawson’s decision not to send off Ibrahim Konate.
      The Liverpool centre-back escaped a second yellow card when he fouled Toffees striker Beto before being immediately hooked by a cautious Jurgen Klopp.
      Fans were quick to point what they felt was a huge mistake and one even went as far as saying that the game was rigged.
      Everton were reduced to ten men after Ashley Young was sent off for two yellow card offencesCredit: Reuters
      Toffees fans felt Ibrahim Konate should have suffered the same fateCredit: AP More

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      FA call for ROBOT REFEREES to be introduced after series of Premier League blunders

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      THE Football Association have called on Robot Referees to be part of English football.Semi-automated offside technology was used at the Qatar 2022 World Cup finals and is deployed by the top officials in the Champions League.
      Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp was furious at refereeing and VAR decisions when his nine-man Liverpool side lost 2-1 at Spurs on September 30Credit: Rex
      Instead of robot payers like these at the 17th International Iran Open Robocup 2023, English football could get mechanical refsCredit: EPA
      Premier League referees’ chief Howard Webb has come under fire after several cock-ups involving the use of VAR in high-profile matches.
      Mark Bullingham – the chief executive of the FA – has now waded into the debate and asked for more technology to be considered by officiating teams.
      Bullingham told a Leaders Week conference in London: “You should never have a scenario where you take away from the experience in the stadium or at home.
      “We’ve got to be really, really careful for that.
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      “Of course people used to complain about decisions being made wrong and it’s important to get decisions right, so that’s the starting point.
      “In terms of technology, the question is: Are there ways you can make the decisions quicker?
      “Because I think everyone hates that long pause in the stadium or at home.
      “You’re seeing technological innovations in terms of, for example, semi-autonomous offsides. Can it eventually go autonomous?
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      “And is that going to be a step where you get completely accurate decisions but made very, very quickly?
      “So if you could do that, well that would be better for the fans. That’s an area absolutely to keep exploring.
      “Of course, we’d look at any idea that comes through but really you’ve got to be quite careful not to interrupt the flow of the game any further than that.”
      One the biggest screw-ups this season involved Luis Diaz having a goal incorrectly ruled out for offside for Liverpool in their 2-1 defeat at Tottenham on September 30.
      The audio of the bungling VAR discussion which led to that by error was eventually released by the PGMOL.
      Usually punters are kept in the dark about conversations that happen with the on-field referee.
      Speaking in general terms, Bullingham is in favour of more transparency for those in the stadiums and watching on TV.
      Bullingham said: “My personal point of view is that I’d love to get to the point where the fans have more access to the conversation that takes place between the VAR and the referee.
      “I also understand the referees’ perspective on that, they’ve got an incredibly hard job already.

      “Sometimes there are language issues and so particularly in international tournaments, they don’t want anything taken out of context.
      “So I understand the pressure they’re under. I think what we’ve done already is make a step forwards by having decisions that are made now explained.
      “That’s the trial going on at Fifa tournaments and I’m confident that that will then be rolled out more broadly.
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      “I think that’s a step in the direction of giving more transparency to fans on decisions. It’s a complicated area but I do think that’s the direction of travel.”

      The FA are considering ways of changing the format of the women’s FA Cup, which is a traditional knockout competition like the men’s event. Chelsea are the current holders after beating Manchester United in the final in front of 77,000 fans in May. More

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      How fans want Premier League to look, with foreign referees and VAR scrapped… but one controversial rule KEPT

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      PREMIER LEAGUE fans are often quick to point the finger at officials when things don’t go right for their clubs. But a new survey has revealed what they’d do to change the landscape of the league’s refereeing if it was up to them.
      Premier League fans have had their say on what they would change about the league’s refereeingCredit: Getty
      VAR has been a hot topic this season with a number of high profile errorsCredit: Reuters
      Supporters were quizzed in a new poll by BetVictor over what they would like to see changed about officiating in the Premier League.
      There has already been a number of high profile mistakes by VAR this season, not least Luis Diaz’s disallowed goal vs Tottenham.
      And it would appear that fans have come to the end of their tether with the technology and are ready to get rid of it.
      Over half (54.4 per cent) of fans said they would get rid of VAR if they had the option to do so.
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      But it’s not just the tech that fans are sick of, but those in charge of it too.
      Over two thirds of fans (68.6 per cent) think the PGMOL should broaden their horizons and widen their refereeing pool by considering the inclusion of more foreign officials.
      There is currently just one referee in the Premier League who doesn’t herald from England.
      Aussie Jarred Gillett joined the division in 2021 after successful spells officiating in the Australian A-League and the English Football League.
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      Australian Jarred Gillett is the only non-English referee in the Premier LeagueCredit: Reuters
      But fans seem to think that one external hire isn’t enough and would like to see the league cherry-pick the footballing world’s best refs.
      Despite a pretty damning assessment of the current Premier League officiating, there is one new rule than supporters are keen on.
      Fans appear to like the increased added time that has come into action this term and are happy for it to stick around.
      With even more late drama and an increase in last grasp goals an overwhelming 65 per cent of Premier League fans want the new added time rules to continue going forward.
      Tottenham completed the latest winning comeback in Premier League history earlier this season thanks to a whopping 16 minutes of added timeCredit: Getty More

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      Watch referee show ultra-rare WHITE CARD to player after Portugal introduced new rule

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      FANS attending a fifth-tier match in Portugal witnessed an extremely rare football sight – a WHITE card.A defender picked up the ball on the edge of his own area and suddenly collapsed.
      A referee showed a rare white card during a fifth-tier match in PortugalCredit: Reddit
      A player was awarded the white card thanks to an act of fair playCredit: Reddit
      A player threw the ball out of play after an opponent collapsedCredit: Reddit
      That left an opposing attacker free to run onto the ball in glorious position with the goal at his mercy.
      However, the kind-hearted forward instead opted to kick the ball out of play in order to help his opponent receive the necessary treatment.
      He then stood over his stricken rival to check on his condition.
      Fans in attendance all stood up and gave him a standing ovation for his amazing act of sportsmanship.
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      But that wasn’t all, as the referee approached the player, who lined up for minnows Montemor, and showed him the incredibly rare white card.
      The opposing defender thankfully got up and was escorted off the pitch with the help of the opponent, who had been booked earlier, to receive necessary treatment.
      The card was designed to show recognition to teams and players for acts of fair play and sportsmanship during a game.
      The white card was brought in as a means of improving ethical values within the sport.
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      This was all an initiative of Portugal’s National Plan for Ethics in Sport and it has been strongly encouraged by the Portuguese Football Federation.
      It is believed this was only the second ever time this card has been shown in the beautiful game.
      The first time took place during a women’s cup clash between Sporting Lisbon and Benfica back in January.
      Benfica were leading 3-0 when a fan in the crowd complained of feeling unwell.
      Medical staff from both teams rushed help out and referee Catarina Campos brandished the white card to all those involved. More

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      Blunder VAR officials Darren England and Daniel Cook’s Premier League return confirmed after Liverpool shambles

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      VAR blunder officials Darren England and Daniel Cook are returning to Premier League duty this weekend.The duo hit the headlines last month following their glaring error in the clash between Tottenham and Liverpool.
      VAR blunder official Darren England is returning to action this weekendCredit: Getty
      England and Cook were the VAR and VAR assistant when Liverpool forward Luis Diaz’s goal was incorrectly ruled out for offside as the Merseysiders went on to lose 2-1.
      The Colombian international thought he’d put the visitors in the lead in the 34th minute with a nifty finish just inside the 18-yard box.
      However, on-field ref Simon Hooper and VAR official England bizarrely ruled out the goal with Cook also failing to intervene – despite replays clearly showing Diaz was onside.
      Prem chiefs came down hard on VAR man for the day England and VAR assistant Cook by removing them from their next proposed outing – Nottingham Forest vs Brentford earlier this month.
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      But the pair are both returning for the next round of fixtures after weeks in the spotlight.
      England is fourth official for Brentford’s home game against Burnley on Saturday.
      Cook will be assistant referee for Sheffield United’s match against Manchester United.
      Meanwhile, Hooper is the designated VAR for Newcastle’s clash with Crystal Palace.
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      The expletive filled audio of the VAR gaffe behind Luis Diaz’s disallowed goal was released after the farce.
      The clip reveals VAR officials England and assistant Cook drew the lines showing that Diaz was onside.
      The indication was then given by the officials that the check was complete, with on-field referee Hooper heard saying: “Well done boys good process.”
      However, the officials then realised play had resumed without the correct call being made on field after the replay operator queried the decision.
      Upon being asked again by the replay operator about the outcome of the decision, the VAR team then became aware the incorrect call had been made.
      Assistant video referee Cook then backs this up by saying: “That’s wrong Daz.”
      Upon realising the error, England be heard saying: “Oh ****.”
      The replay operator can be heard requesting to delay the game, but since it had already resumed there was no way to pull it back.
      England can be heard saying: “I can’t do anything”, before swearing once again.
      PGMOL chief Howard Webb explained why VAR failed to rectify the clear mistake during an episode of Match Officials: Mic’d Up.
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      He said that England “lost sight of what the on-field decision was” after going through his processes “pretty quickly” and claimed that efficiency is key but “not at the sacrifice of accuracy”.
      Webb also then confirmed that the laws of the game, as set out by Fifa and IFAB, did not allow the officials to intervene to rectify the mistake. More

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      Dutch referee at centre of Scotland vs Spain Var row named in MATCH FIXING probe

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      THE Dutch referee at the centre of a storm in Seville was once named in a MATCH FIXING probe.The youngest referee ever to take charge of an Eredivisie match at the time, Serdar Gozubuyuk was subject of Tartan Army fan fury last night after ruling out a Scott McTominay goal for Scotland against Spain.
      The referee who caused fury amongst Scotland fans has an interesting backstoryCredit: Kenny Ramsay
      Referee Serdar Gozubuyuk gestures during the Euro 2024 group A qualifierCredit: AP
      That’s after he appeared to change his story on why the goal was disallowed – after originally signalling on the night for a ‘foul’ and awarding a direct free kick.
      Back in 2015, Gozubuyuk was named by a suspect being questioned in an investigation into match fixing – before being cleared by the Dutch FA.
      Dutch newspaper Volkskrant claimed it had received the file relating to the case against Dutch suspect known as ‘Paul R.’, who mentioned the referee during a January investigation regarding two 2009 Dutch second tier matches.
      Investigators claimed Gozubuyuk did have contact with ‘Paul R’, possibly in the clubhouse of VV Young Boys – where 13 people were arrested in connection with illegal poker tournaments in October 2011.

      Gozubuyuk denied all knowledge of ‘Paul R’ – with an investigation by the Dutch FA for playing late night poker with players clearing the whistler.
      He told the paper at the time: “I’m shocked that my name is being mentioned in this context by someone I do not know, and that it is so easy for such a person to inflict damage to someone’s public image.”
      “This is someone I do not want to know. Judge me on my athletic performance, and they have confidence in me, so that’s the only think I am focusing on.
      “To be clear I’ll say it once more: I am clean. It is precisely my role to ensure that the two teams play equally and in a sporting manner.
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      “The better that I can do that, the better it is for the game and the public. That is my challenge as a sportsman and my only motive to be a referee.”
      The KNVB said: “For the KNVB there is no question of referee Serdar Gözübüyük’s integrity.”
      Gozubuyuk was previously branded “absolutely the worst referee in the world”.
      Former Hull City and Russia boss Leonid Slutsky made the claim after the whistler awarded a penalty to PSV late in a 3-3 draw with his Vitesse team.
      He said: “In each game in Eredivisie I never think about the referee,” he yelled. “Absolutely top level, Champions League level.
      “Maybe the problem is his attitude towards me – maybe he doesn’t like fat people or bald people. He is like a waiter.
      “Yes, he must be around the game because he is the referee. It is the players who are the most important people here.
      “He thinks he is the most important. Absolutely the worst referee in the world that I have seen in my life.”
      Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page More

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      FA pushing for major VAR change in huge boost to fans at matches after Tottenham vs Liverpool blunder

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      THE FA is pushing to allow VAR communications to be broadcast in stadiums.Wembley bosses feel that letting fans in grounds and at home to hear what VARs are saying to referees will give more clarity to supporters.
      The PGMOL came under fire for making a huge error during Tottenham’s clash with LiverpoolCredit: Sky Sports
      Luis Diaz was deemed to be offside when he wasn’tCredit: Premier League
      Officials are now pushing for VAR communications to be broadcast in stadiumsCredit: Getty
      It was only three days after Liverpool’s Luiz Diaz’ goal at Spurs was wrongly disallowed by a major VAR blunder that the chaos surrounding Darren England’s mistake was aired.
      Current International FA Board rules mean it is forbidden to broadcast the conversations live.
      But FA chief executive Mark Bullingham will urge a rethink and change of policy at head month’s Ifab “business meeting” which will set the agenda for the formal Law-deciding AGM in March.
      Bullingham said: “The fans is in the stadium should never know less than the fans watching on TV.
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      “Live broadcasting of the conversations is something we have talked about in multiple IFABS. 
      “Generally there is a split in the room, often it between the marketing-and-commercial people and the referees. 
      “Our point of view would normally be that transparency is a really good thing.
      “We want fans to have the maximum experience.
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      “More transparency shows how difficult the referee’s job is and it has worked in other sport.
      “But there is an understandable nervousness from others that the referee’s job is hard enough as it is.”
      Bullingham, though, may have to do a lot of persuading.
      Patrick Nelson, chief executive of the Belfast-based Irish FA, said: “We just need to see more evidence on this at the moment. 
      “It’s interesting when we look at recent examples but we still need to remember that VAR as an entire concept is relatively in its infancy compared to the game of football and compared to IFAB. There is still more that we can learn.”
      Fifa now allows mic’d up referees to announce why they have changed an on-field decision after VAR intervention, although giving no details, with Bullingham feeling that is “a step forward”.
      Refs’ chief Howard Webb suggested on Tuesday night that he wanted a change in the Ifab VAR protocols that prevented England from telling ref Simon Hooper to stop play and award Liverpool a goal after the game had restarted.
      Bullingham intends to gauge the views of the Ifab board – half of which is composed of the four Home Nations with Fifa supplying the other four votes – over whether that is a possible move.
      So far, though, Ifab has been resistant, suggesting a single error by officials in one country should not necessarily force a rewriting of the regulations.
      But Bullingham will strongly resist calls for MORE powers for VARs to interfere outside the current realm of “match-changing decisions” such as goals, penalties and red cards..
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      The idea of extending the scope to allow VAR overturns for free-kick decisions, bookings, corners and throw-ins is due to be discussed at next month’s meeting.
      But Bullingham vowed: “We would be really reluctant to have a game that was stopped a lot more than it currently is. That will be a proper discussion.” More

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      History to be made at Wembley before a ball is kicked in England’s friendly with Australia

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      STEPHANIE FRAPPART will take charge of England’s friendly with Australia on Friday to become the first woman to referee a men’s international at Wembley.The French official, who started in Ligue 2, refereed games at last year’s World Cup.
      Stephanie Frappart will become the first ever female referee to officiate men’s international at WembleyCredit: Reuters
      England will face Australia on Friday in an international friendlyCredit: Getty
      She was also the first woman to referee a European final when Chelsea played Liverpool in a Uefa Super Cup clash in Istanbul in 2019.
      Peter Elsworth, the FA’s head of refereeing operations, said: “Stephanie is an outstanding referee and she has officiated on the highest stage within France, across Europe and recently at the men’s and women’s Fifa World Cup.
      “We’re delighted she and her team will take charge of our upcoming fixture against Australia in front of a sold-out crowd at Wembley Stadium and we’re looking forward to welcoming them to the home of English football.”
      After officiating the 2019 Super Cup between Chelsea and Liverpool Frappart told CNN: “It was a pretty special feeling when you walked out in the stadium and the crowd were actually cheering for us, I’ve never experienced that and in such a big, big match.
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      “In the warm-up I looked around and I was like, the other teams aren’t here so they have to be cheering for us.
      “When you looked up at the crowd, I normally don’t engage with the crowd, they were looking at us and a few were waving and giving us thumbs up and congratulations.
      “I thought that was pretty special.”
      England face the Aussies in a friendly with Gareth Southgate set to give run-outs to the likes of Jarrod Bowen and Levi Colwill.
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      Arsenal star Bukayo Saka will also join up with the squad despite his ongoing injury struggles, according to reports.
      The Three Lions then entertain Italy in a Euro 2024 qualifier four days later. More