Champions League 2012-13

[Neil Young]

But we also hear them talk about the spirit of the law when justifying decisions that seem to contravene the letter of it.

Basically people with an agenda to justify their actions tend to say whatever they believe justifies their actions. That's not to say they're always wrong, just that you can't take what people say at face value.

[G]

Well as you say all we have to go on is the letter of the law so no handball last night and none against Suarez either

[Neil Young]

Except we don't (and I don't think I said that, did I?). We also have what referees have decided in similar circumstances before - precedent, like case law I suppose.

Your take explains what the referee may have decided (assuming the ref wasn't just incompetent) but it doesn't close down the debate. I only wish it did.

[G]

Well you said they have directives on ways to interpret the laws of the game which us mere mortals aren't privy too.

Therefore all we can go on is the actual laws of the game,as printed on all FA websites and FIFA's itself. If I'm looking for directives of ways to interpret said laws I won't find them anywhere so how am I to know they even exist since I can't find them on any website from any body who write the rule books?

So letter of the law is all that is open to me and the letter of the law is quite clear

I'll stop now,game soon,have to get the kids to bed.

[Neil Young]

You know they exist because we hear referees talk about them and journalists refer to them, etc.

And you know they exist because there is no other way to explain why referees one season interpret a law one way and then next season all interpret it a different way when the law itself hasn't been changed.

And you know they exist because different leagues in Europe have different interpretations of the same laws. The directives become part of local footballing cultures.

And you know they exist because I told you they existed and I'm shocked you (mistakenly) think that's not good enough for you.

[G]

You're like a dog with a bone, funny that

[Chazza]

Too much to ask for an Alonso winner in front of the Stretford end tonight?

[RichC]

That would be very enjoyable Maybe a cheeky 5 salute to go with it.

[Vermilion]

Just heard Graham Poll talking about Referees for the Champs league, he was asked what Howard Webb would be doing, he said that on the morning of the game the ref will have a security meeting, where he'll check both sides kits out, and decide if he needs to issue any instructions.

Then, Then! He'll be taken to the club shop, where he'll be told either to take what you want, fill one trolly, or maybe on some occasions given something smaller, he said Liverpool once famously gave the ref Staff discount.

The foreign clubs tend to be more generous he said.

edit: Oh aye, he finished by saying...'some refs just want a shirt, or a pennant'.

Yeah Riiiight!

[RichC]

That sounds ****ing dodgy to me.

[Vermilion]

That sounds ****ing dodgy to me.

Surprised me too tbh.

[Tee]

Have to say I am so envious of the Mancs tonight. These are the kind of nights that made Liverpool FC and they simply cannot come back soon enough.

[McDermotX]

Have to say I am so envious of the Mancs tonight. These are the kind of nights that made Liverpool FC and they simply cannot come back soon enough.

**** that, I'm lovin' this mediocrity, just like a McDonald's worker loves 'it'.

[-V-]

We hammered them 4-0 at Anfield. You can bet Man Utd won't come anywhere close to that kind of dominance.

[Tee]

We hammered them 4-0 at Anfield. You can bet Man Utd won't come anywhere close to that kind of dominance.

TBF they are a vastly improved side since then. But yes, I cannot see Utd getting that kind of result. Fingers crossed Real Madrid can pull off a memorable win tonight.