Comments on: Mike Riley Should Never Referee a Big Match Again

By: football fan

football fan — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 17:00:15 +0000

ref is damn,f**k off..
they not do their responsiblity as well..
i hate ref that not fair in game..
they old..
cant see very well..
so they make to many mistake..
i hope FIFA do something to change a better ref and a responsibilities as ref..
i hope fifa use a young ref..
and use a technology as ref also..
ref at field will connect to the fer at the tv..
ref control from office and tell the ref at field which is true..
that more fair

By: Helen

Helen — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 05:34:17 +0000

I think we need to look at this game in context - that it's a game where the opponents are challenging for the title. Like in any Cup knockout stages as well, I think red cards should be used VERY sparingly, only for the worst fouls or repeat fouls, because one silly red card call can totally change the complexion of the game, and often they cost teams more than a simple suspension.

I also think the point is not which teams and which players are favoured by refs, but rather that refs should make consistent calls in their games. If Lampard knew that Riley has the tendency to send players off for high studs, then he would know not to tackle as he did. But because Gerrard got off with a warning, well why shouldn't Lampard do the same? Supporting Arsenal, I often feel like many many decisions go against us, but I've realised that bad decisions against the team you support never go unnoticed, whereas there are always decisions going against teams.

The ref must blow to the best of his ability, i agree, but the ref is also trained to stand in positions where he can get the best views of whats going on, and I don't think Riley does well in that department. And neither does he consult his linesmen. In that sense I think there are MANY better referees, and in THAT sense I think Mike Riley is a poor ref.

By: Tom

Tom — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 05:02:41 +0000

Man U get away with far more than ANYBODY which is why they and their fans have an entitlement mentality. Take the example of the penalty this week. Everyone knows that such calls are only reserved for top players and top teams and apparently Chelsea does not fall into that category. Gerrard should have been carded in the 3rd minute but he is above such a call. Rooney should have been carded in the Man U/Chelsea game for desent but he too is above such a call. Terry desents for Lampard's red card and gets carded. See how this all works?

By: Tom

Tom — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 04:47:41 +0000

“As much as we get on the refs about their decisions, could any of us have deciphered the Lampard red card incident without the benefit of replay?” Duh, of course we could have. Only Mike Riley would have missed that from less than ten yards. Mike Riley should be banned for life as a deterrant to other imcompetent referees in the league and there definitely is no denying the fact that some of the refs are below par.

By: Django

Django — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 03:53:07 +0000

Er, wouldn't Man U have been the big winners if Liverpool and Chelsea drew? I think in this case it's basically a push, unless you want to get technical and say they're the big winners because they're still in first and after today there is one less game to play in the season. And Boswinga would have been sent off in the 93rd minute, after Liverpool was already ahead. Unless Gerrard's sent off earlier, then Boswinga might not have ever been in the position to be sent off and Liverpool might not be ahead 1-0. And if Gerrard was sent off then Lampard might not be sent off and then Bosingwa probably wouldn't be sent off either. And then it might not have been 2-0, it could have been 0-0 or 1-0 or 0-1 or 4-2 or who knows what. Bottom line, hypotheticals are like lying to your brain. And Liverpool won 2-0.