Spot the Ball

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We should never have sold Robbie Keane

[Darkon]

Just seen the incident, and how ****ing ridiculous that the goal gets to stand - wtf is the referee thinking???

But if the result stands a couple of fans must have a bad taste in their mouth. The way the season is turning out, this could end up being crucial for CL footy next season!

[Exiled_red]

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/181020...ach-balls.html

Mischievous fans of rival clubs have flocked to Liverpool's official online store to buy the club out of beach balls.

The Reds lost 1-0 to Sunderland on Saturday courtesy of a Darren Bent strike that deflected in off a large red ball that had been thrown into the penalty box by a Liverpool supporter.

Opposition fans revelling in Rafa Benitez's side's misery have bought all remaining 'beach sets' from the online shop, which consist of a towel, a bag and the now-infamous beach ball.

The sets had been reduced from £20 to £10 and have now sold out. They will be a must-have item for travelling supporters visiting Anfield in coming weeks.

Several web users have also left spoof 'reviews' on the site.

'Natalie from Manchester' wrote: "I bought this set, but seem to have lost the ball in Sunderland. Is it possible to order a replacement?" while 'G from Johnon' commented: "This is one of the most flexible products I have ever purchased. Great for not only the beach, but can also play up front."

Liverpool fans are unlikely to see the funny side; the defeat was their fourth of the season, and leaves them seven points off the top of the Premier League.

Referee Mike Jones allowed the goal, although the laws state play should be stopped if any 'outside agent' interferes, and restarted with a drop ball.

Bent's shot bounced into the ball and deviated into the bottom-right corner past goalkeeper Jose Reina, who was so badly distracted he moved to save the beach ball.

Sky Sports News broadcast footage on Saturday of a young fan batting the ball into Reina's penalty box from the away end, but Match of the Day and the Sunday newspapers blocked out the fan's face fearing reprisals for his blunder.

Sunderland manager Steve Bruce said he did know the goal should not have stood, saying: "If anybody knew that rule - that it is supposed to be a drop ball - then you are a saddo."

However, former Premier League referee Jeff Winter said he was shocked Jones did not disallow the goal.

Winter said: "I'm absolutely amazed. It is basic law in football. The goal should just not have stood. The laws of the game state that if there's an outside interference the game has to be stopped."

Alex Chick / Eurosport

It looks like we'll be seeing alot more of these in the coming weeks

[Exiled_red]

Just seen the incident, and how ****ing ridiculous that the goal gets to stand - wtf is the referee thinking???

But if the result stands a couple of fans must have a bad taste in their mouth. The way the season is turning out, this could end up being crucial for CL footy next season!

The thing that annoys me it that all the pundits seem to find it acceptable that the referees don't know the rules of the game, because this is supposedly an obscure rule. But it really isn't, it's the same rule as if a fan or a dog comes on the pitch, and similar to when flares are thown on the pitch. Surely the referee would have known what to do if one of these things had happened??

[Imy]

The thing that annoys me it that all the pundits seem to find it acceptable that the referees don't know the rules of the game, because this is supposedly an obscure rule. But it really isn't, it's the same rule as if a fan or a dog comes on the pitch, and similar to when flares are thown on the pitch. Surely the referee would have known what to do if one of these things had happened??

The refs will know the rule now

[Exiled_red]

The refs will know the rule now

It annoys me though because not only is it in the rules, but it's also common sense.

I think if the incident had happened on the half way line, someone passed the ball and it hit a beach ball and went out of play, the referee would have given a drop ball. I think part of the reason was because it resulted in a goal for the home team and he didn't have the bottle to disallow it because he would get so much stick for the next 85mins

[TheStig]

The thing that annoys me it that all the pundits seem to find it acceptable that the referees don't know the rules of the game, because this is supposedly an obscure rule. But it really isn't, it's the same rule as if a fan or a dog comes on the pitch, and similar to when flares are thown on the pitch. Surely the referee would have known what to do if one of these things had happened??

Exactly. That's their ****ing job!!!

Steve Bruce said "If you really know that rule then you are a little bit sad. I didn't know the rule that if a ball hit an object it should be a dropped ball, I always thought it's Sod's Law and you carry on, but there we are."

Absolutely unbelievable thing to say . Really is as thick as ****.

[Reece]

I'm not usually one for the conspiracy/woe be us type posts, but I can only imagine the uproar in the media if this had happened to the Mancs, rather than all the jokes and just laughing it off which I have been hearing on the radio etc since it happened.

Maybe

[Reece]

Oh and you remember that game a few years ago when Arsenal played Sheffield Utd, and instead of throwing the ball back to a Sheff Utd player as fair play and etiquette would dictate, Overmars and Kanu decided to score a goal instead? Well that game ended up being replayed. Guess who the Sheff Utd manager was that day

[Oberon]

It is nice to know fans of other clubs are putting money in to our club though

[Exiled_red]

No if had happened to the Scum Ferguson would have been livid, probably called for the match to be replayed and the referee would be demoted for a period of time and never ref one of their games again.

I was speaking to a mate of mine who's a referee for local FA games (Sunday league matches etc) and he was telling me that there's almost always a question on the referees exam outlining a similar situation, and asking what the referee should do. Also in amateur games the level which most referees start out at things like this are relatively common. So I think it's not as rare a situation as is being made out.

[tomasjj]

According to someone who was there, Reina removed the balloon, only for the wind to blow it back onto the pitch...

[Exiled_red]

Oh and you remember that game a few years ago when Arsenal played Sheffield Utd, and instead of throwing the ball back to a Sheff Utd player as fair play and etiquette would dictate, Overmars and Kanu decided to score a goal instead? Well that game ended up being replayed. Guess who the Sheff Utd manager was that day

I also love how Steve Bruce tried to make out that it didn't make a difference because they deserved to win anyway. Although that may be true football games aren't decided on who deserves to win, there are many games where the best side doesn't win.

[andrewces38]

Why didn't Reina pop it beforehand?

Have you ever tried popping a beach ball ? he would have smashed his jaw bone out of shape with his knee if he tried to stamp on it.Or do you think he carry's a stanley knife in his socks?

[Jaymo]

Why didn't Reina pop it beforehand?

ever tried popping a beach ball