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      Mikel Arteta caught mocking referee Simon Hooper live on BT Sport with hilarious impression during Arsenal win at Villa

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      MIKELA ARTETA was lucky to get away without a booking after mocking referee Simon Hooper during Arsenal’s win over Aston Villa.With the score level at 2-2 late on, the tension rose at Villa Park.
      Mikel Arteta childishly impersonated Simon Hooper
      The red had motioned that the ball was still moving as a free-kick was taken
      After Hooper ordered an Arsenal free-kick to be retaken, as the ball had been moving when the Gunners’ initially tried to continue the game, Arteta once again went ballistic.
      As he berated the officials, he mocked Hooper with a crude impression.
      Hooper, 40, had waved his hands to signal that the ball had still been in motion, as is customary.
      After screaming in anger, Arteta pulled a silly face as he mimicked the hand gesture.
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      Many Arsenal fans online enjoyed their manager’s latest rant.
      One wrote: “Lmao that’s hilarious.”
      While a second commented: “I mean it’s a cracking good impression, no complaints.”
      Another added: “Was literally dying laughing at this.”
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      Others, however, expect Arteta to be retroactively punished, with one writing: “Another fine incoming.”
      A second observed: “And that’s a two weeks suspension for you, Arteta.”
      The Gunners manager’s discipline came under the microscope after he was booked against Manchester United last month.
      He had already been hammered by Match of the Day pundit Alan Shearer for his histrionics – but vowed not to tone it down, despite Arsenal being charged with failing to control their players on multiple occasions this term.
      Arteta said: “I haven’t read the criticism of my behaviour and I am not part of that debate.
      “They can all have their opinions but I will always try to do my best for this football club, to defend my players.
      “And I will always have the passion that I believe the game has to be played with. But that’s me. That’s the way I am, on and off the pitch, for the good and the bad.”
      Arteta, 40, has regularly berated officials this seasonCredit: Reuters More

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      Ex-Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg reveals how VAR is making referees WORSE amid string of awful decisions

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      MARK CLATTENBURG has slammed VAR and claims it is making referees worse.The ex-Premier League referee revealed the introduction of VAR almost made him quit officiating.
      Mark Clattenburg claims VAR is making refs fearful to make decisionsCredit: Getty
      PGMOL chief Howard Webb called a meeting with refs this week to address the problems with VARCredit: Getty
      He believes it made him more hesitant to make on-field decisions, and more reliant on VAR.
      Clattenburg claims Prem refs are fearful of making an incorrect decision and having it overturned – but that leads to VAR not intervening at all, as happened when the ball struck Tomas Soucek’s hand in West Ham’s draw with Chelsea last weekend.
      Clattenburg, 47, explained the issue to old William Hill and Footy Accumulators’ podcast, No Tippy Tappy Football, saying: “VAR has caused a big problem.
      “It happened to me when I went to China, I started not refereeing, and I actually relied on the VAR. For the first month I felt like I was going to quit.
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      “I thought, what am I doing? I’ve lost my core ability to make a decision. As a referee you make split second decisions and I was so comfortable at doing it.
      “I’d made lots of decisions in the Premier League and I didn’t need VAR – well I could’ve needed it sometimes, but not to the amount that they’re using it now.
      “When I see these referees now week in, week out, there is a fear, and they’re scared to make a decision. The problem is when you’re scared to make a decision you don’t make one, and then the VAR doesn’t make one either.
      “If we look at the West Ham decision against Chelsea on Saturday [Tomas Soucek’s handball]… Because the referee doesn’t give it, the VAR then goes ‘I don’t want to give it because he’s breaking his fall’, so it compounds the mistake.
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      “If the referee just gave the penalty as he should have seen it and had the courage to blow, the VAR would’ve supported it. So, we have still got all of these problems with the referees not making the original decisions like we did in our time and that’s the difference.”
      VAR has come under a lot of scrutiny in recent weeks with the Premier League forced to apologise to Brighton and Arsenal after mistakes potentially cost them points last weekend.
      PGMOL chief Howard Webb called an emergency meeting to try and solve the problems while John Brooks was taken off VAR duty this week after incorrectly ruling a goal offside in Crystal Palace’s draw with Brighton. More

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      ‘Is this a joke?’ – Newcastle fans in disbelief as referee for Carabao Cup final against Man Utd is announced

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      NEWCASTLE UNITED fans have been left worried about their chances in the Carabao Cup final after the referee for the fixture was announced. The Magpies must overcome Manchester United in the final on February 26 for a chance to pick up the club’s first silverware since 1955.
      Eddie Howe has guided Newcastle to a first cup final since 1999Credit: Getty
      Newcastle fans weren’t happy upon learning who will officiate the Carabao Cup finalCredit: AFP
      David Coote has been announced as the whistler for the matchCredit: Getty
      However, fans weren’t happy after PGMOL announced David Coote would whistle the fixture.
      And one livid Newcastle fan said: “Is this a joke? David Coote who apparently supports Man United? That David Coote?
      “The guy who screwed us over at Stamford Bridge last season? The same David Coote? Do they pick the name out of a hat FFS?”
      A second fan said: “Surely the club can contest that in the interest of fairness if he is a Man Utd fan. Absolutely shocking appointment.”
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      A third slammed: “Poor poor referee.”
      “Literally can’t believe it,” added a fourth.
      Despite rumours suggesting Coote is a Man Utd fan, there is no official confirmation for this.
      Furthermore, given refs cannot officiate games of the teams they support, such as Michael Oliver being banned due to supporting Newcastle, it should check either club off the list of who he supports.
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      The last time he was the main official in a Newcastle game saw Coote on the end of criticism for failing to dismiss Kai Havertz for an elbow on Dan Burn during the club’s 1-0 loss to Chelsea in March last year.
      Indeed, Newcastle’s overall win record when Coote officiates them sits at a paltry 36.4 per cent.
      Meanwhile, cup rivals Man Utd are yet to lose a match with Coote as the main ref, and have a 75 per cent win rate when the 40-year-old has whistled their games, including two this season.
      He has overseen 16 Premier League matches so far this season and but has brandished a red card just once – for Joao Felix’s shocking challenge in Chelsea’s 2-1 loss at Fulham. More

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      Arsenal fans left fuming as VAR blunder official is brought back for their match vs Aston Villa

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      ARSENAL fans raged after a VAR blunder referee was appointed for their crunch clash with Aston Villa.The Gunners were left fuming on Saturday when Lee Mason failed to spot two offsides in the build-up to Brentford’s equaliser at the Emirates.
      John Brooks will be fourth official when Aston Villa host ArsenalCredit: Getty
      That goal saw Arsenal drop points for the fifth time this season.
      But their anger only worsened when John Brooks was revealed as the fourth official for Saturday’s trip to Villa Park.
      Like Mason, Brooks was at the centre of controversy when he was the VAR that disallowed Brighton a legitimate goal against Crystal Palace because the offside lines were drawn on the wrong defender.
      Brooks – who reached the Premier League as an assistant before dropping back down the pyramid to do the same as a referee – was brought off VAR duties for the Merseyside derby and Arsenal’s home showdown with Manchester City this week.
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      Now, barring a freak injury to Simon Hooper or either of the assistants, Brooks’ role this weekend will be limited to off-field matters including overseeing substitutes – and dealing with Mikel Arteta on the sideline.
      Some Arsenal supporters, though, were unhappy Brooks was brought back into action so soon – while others felt the reaction to his mistake has been exaggerated.
      One fan said: “Dropped this weekend and then will be back. Same ole carousel of rubbish.”
      Another wrote: “Those precious two points dropped could cause Arsenal the league. He should be suspended or completely banned from VAR.”
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      And a third added: “Well hopefully he knows how to operate the subs board and doesn’t put up the wrong numbers.”
      But another user commented: “That’s amazing… massive mistake on Saturday, dropped for a game on Monday and Wednesday but back to work Saturday… this punishment seems a bit over the top.”
      One of the Premier League’s – and the world’s – best officials is in charge when Arsenal host City tomorrow, with Anthony Taylor the man in the middle for the top-of-the-table contest.
      But Arteta is still reeling from the decision against Brentford.
      The Spaniard said: “I will only be satisfied if they give me the two points back which is not going to be the case.
      “I appreciate what I think were really sincere, open and genuine apologies and explanations which is really good.
      “But it doesn’t change the fact that we have two points less on the table.
      “Everybody makes mistakes, and we are part of that, the first one being myself. But that was something else.
      “I wasn’t having it, the club weren’t having it and I think it’s clear the consequences of what happened.
      “It’s not for me to judge. It’s not about someone making a mistake and then let’s crucify him.
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      “It’s trying to do the best that we can together to have a fairer sport and make the decisions clearer and better.
      “Hopefully that will help because of what happened last weekend.” More

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      ‘World’s hottest referee’ is married to fellow official and wows fans with sexy bikini snaps after travelling the globe

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      KAROLINA BOJAR-STEFANSKA has been dubbed the ‘world’s hottest referee’.She is married to a fellow official in Polish ref Daniel Stefanski.
      Referee Karolina Bojar-Stefanska is married to fellow official Daniel StefanskiCredit: Instagram @bojarmeow
      The couple got the chance to referee together at an event in DecemberCredit: Instagram @bojarmeow
      Karolina has been refereeing since she was a teenagerCredit: Instagram @bojarmeow

      Stefanski, 45, is a Fifa listed referee who officiates in the men’s top-flight in Poland.
      While Karolina, 25, referees in the Ekstraliga, the top tier of the women’s game.
      They tied the knot in October 2020, according to Gazeta Krakowska.
      Back in December the couple got the chance to officiate together at an event in the Polish city of Gliwice, which Karolina posted to Instagram.
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      Karolina uploaded a snap of the happy couple together to her 169,000 Insta followers.
      And the post was captioned: “We had the pleasure to be on the pitch together.”
      She has also wowed fans recently with a number of holiday shots of herself travelling the globe.
      Karolina has posted pics to social media on her travels to Greece and the Maldives.
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      The ref posed on the beach and in crystal clear waters for her Insta followers.
      Karolina revealed last August that the current season is her ninth campaign as a referee.
      She got her love for the game from her grandad, Carol, who was also a licenced football official.
      But she is also a law graduate, and reveals in her Insta bio that she is a lawyer specialising in Sports and Intellectual Property.

      However, Karolina is never too far away from a football field.
      She posted snaps last year of herself in the stands for Poland’s Nations League clashes against Wales and Belgium.
      Karolina watching Poland in action last yearCredit: Instagram @bojarmeow
      She has over 169,000 followers on InstagramCredit: Instagram @bojarmeow More

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      VAR draws lines next to WRONG PLAYER to rule out Brighton goal at Crystal Palace as Premier League admits huge blunder

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      THE Premier League has admitted they made a VAR blunder in the game between Crystal Palace and Brighton. Brighton were denied an opening in the match after Pervis Estupinan was deemed to be offside.
      VAR came under fire for its offside call in the game between Crystal Palace and BrightonCredit: Youtube Sky Sports
      Upon closer inspection, the lines drawn were from the wrong playerCredit: Twitter @BBCMOTD
      Arsenal saw a similar call go against themCredit: Sky Sports
      However, closer inspection of the lines drawn by VAR shows the line used to indicate the defender was drawn from the WRONG player.
      A similar call was made during Arsenal’s clash against Brentford as the Bees’ goal was allowed to stand despite an apparent offside.
      Referee body PGMOL released a statement apologising to both Brighton and Arsenal about the respective incidents.
      It read: “PGMOL can confirm its Chief Refereeing Officer Howard Webb has contacted both Arsenal and Brighton & Hove Albion to acknowledge and explain the significant errors in the VAR process in their respective Premier League fixtures on Saturday.
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      “Both incidents, which were due to human error and related to the analysis of offside situations, are being thoroughly reviewed by PGMOL.”
      Brighton went on to draw the game 1-1 as Solly March saw his goal cancelled out by James Tomkins within minutes of scoring.
      Ex-Prem ref Peter Walton revealed transparency in decision-making was now being championed under Webb’s guidance.
      That came after Tomas Soucek appeared to handle the ball in the penalty area against Chelsea, with the Blues not given a penalty for it.
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      Arsenal were also denied victory against Brentford after Ivan Toney’s late equaliser.
      But the occasion has been marred as Brentford condemned racist abuse aimed towards Toney on Instagram after the game. More

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      VAR failed to draw offside lines to check Brentford’s goal at Arsenal – and you would have to question why

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      THE lines to check whether Brentford’s goal was offside were not drawn up — and you would have to question why that did not happen.Every goal has to be checked from every angle.
      Brentford’s leveller was allowed to stand
      Mikel Arteta was unhappy with the officials at the final whistleCredit: Rex
      Whether it is offside, a foul in the passage of play leading up to the goal or an accidental handball by the goalscorer — the VAR has to look at all aspects.
      It looked at the time that it might have been offside but, from the footage, it was not clear because the cameras did not appear as if they were parallel to the play.
      That made the incident inconclusive.
      Ivan Toney’s 74th minute leveller grabbed a priceless 1-1 draw for Brentford, while condemning Arsenal to just one point from their last two games.
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      Manchester City could move to within three points of the Gunners if they beat Aston Villa at Etihad Stadium on Sunday.
      The two title rivals then face off on Wednesday.
      After the match, boss Mikel Arteta said: “I just looked back and it is offside.
      “Have they explained why it wasn’t allowed? No. It is frustrating but they will probably give an explanation later in the week. Today we haven’t got one.
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      “You have to apply certain principles in defending and you do that by sticking to the rules. Suddenly you change the rules and then you have to change your principles.
      “So tell us before so then you don’t hold the line that high.
      “Because you’re always going to have an advantage if you get blocked. You cannot block if you are offside.”
      Arsenal dropped two points in their title challengeCredit: Reuters More

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      Referee is hit in face by bottle thrown from stands during Charlton’s defeat to Fleetwood as Addicks face punishment

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      CHARLTON could face punishment after referee Carl Boyeson was hit by a missile aimed from the stands at The Valley.He was hit in the face by a plastic drinks bottle as he left the pitch at the end of the home side’s 2-1 defeat by Fleetwood Town.
      Charlton could face a hefty punishmentCredit: Getty
      The official did not appear to be badly harmed and immediately headed down the stadium’s extendable tunnel. 
      But Addicks’ boss Dean Holden condemned the incident and expects it to be included in Boyeson’s post-match report to the FA.
      The home fans seemed to be angered by the 79th-minute straight red card dismissal of Charlton defender Ryan Inniss  – although it was his third sending off of the season.
      Holden said: “It’s disappointing.
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      “Obviously, as a football club, we can not condone this kind of behaviour at all.
      “It doesn’t matter what has gone on out on the pitch. This should never happen.
      “I assume it will be in the referee’s report.”
      Boyeson is a long-serving 53-year-old official from East Yorkshire who refereed the 2019-20 EFL Trophy final between Portsmouth and Salford.
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      Defender Inniss could now face a five-match ban after his third dismissal of the campaign.
      Charlton boss Holden added: “I will not condemn referees because it’s a tough job.
      “But it was never a sending off. It wasn’t a goalscoring opportunity.”
      Dean Holden was unhappy with the red card decisionCredit: PA More