Spot the Ball

[Joe King]

Sunderland should've let us walk up the other end to equalise. Bent in particular is guilty IMO. That sly ****er knew his lame shot was being gathered by Reina, yet he ran off like he'd scored an amazing solo goal in the last minute of the World Cup final.

Realistically, that was never going to happen. I don't even think the referee knew the rules as well.

[tomasjj]

He should have used the valve.

Pinch either side of the valve and squash the ball to slowly deflate. To get the last bit out, roll up on floor and this pushes the last bit of air out. He should then have folded it up neatly, climbed into the stand and given it back to it's rightful owner.

Sack Reina

This post deserves Le Ballon d'Or.

[Exiled_red]

Realistically, that was never going to happen. I don't even think the referee knew the rules as well.

If that's the case then he shouldn't be a referee!

[Joe King]

If that's the case then he shouldn't be a referee in the top flight!

EDIT: He shouldn't be a referee at all

I expect him to be demoted at the very least

[TheElephantMan]

There was no argument at Palace either, in fairness - the ball didn't even go in! It wasn't even close to being in, it clearly went wide! Yet a goal was given.

The referee obviously thought the ball had gone into the goal, so he was right to give it. I'm not saying it was the right decision, but he was right to give the goal if that's what he saw. The referee at the Sunderland match knew that the direction of the ball had been changed by an object which shouldn't have been on the pitch so the decision was clear - it's in the rulebook. He consulted the linesman on the matter, so he knew what had happened. Lunacy.

[Exiled_red]

The referee obviously thought the ball had gone into the goal, so he was right to give it. I'm not saying it was the right decision, but he was right to give the goal if that's what he saw. The referee at the Sunderland match knew that the direction of the ball had been changed by an object which shouldn't have been on the pitch so the decision was clear - it's in the rulebook. He consulted the linesman on the matter, so he knew what had happened. Lunacy.

I'd imagine the principle is the same once the decision has been made it can't be overturned or the match replayed.

[TheElephantMan]

I'd imagine the principle is the same once the decision has been made it can't be overturned or the match replayed.

I agree, once the goal has been given then it cannot be changed during or after the match, and the match isn't going to be replayed. However, the fact is that the referee knew exactly what had happened and still gave the goal so he is not fit to referee a game of football.

[Exiled_red]

I agree, once the goal has been given then it cannot be changed during or after the match, and the match isn't going to be replayed. However, the fact is that the referee knew exactly what had happened and still gave the goal so he is not fit to referee a game of football.

[Scratch]

Do we know the ref saw it tho? Yes, he discussed it with the linesman, but was he saying "it hit the ball, what do we do?" or was he asking "did it hit the ball or the defender?" What has he put in his match report?

[TheElephantMan]

Do we know the ref saw it tho? Yes, he discussed it with the linesman, but was he saying "it hit the ball, what do we do?" or was he asking "did it hit the ball or the defender?" What has he put in his match report?

The ball didn't technically need to hit the ball though, the game should have been stopped anyway until the beachball had been removed from the pitch.

[Scratch]

The ball didn't technically need to hit the ball though, the game should have been stopped anyway until the beachball had been removed from the pitch.

Well, normally the keeper would do it, but the ball came on the pitch during the build up to the goal, and Reina could not have afforded the time to move it...but i bet he wishes he had

[Harv]

We should never have sold Robbie Keane

It was more the selling...and then total failure to replace him

It was a moronic totally stubborn Rafa thing to do

[Exiled_red]

Taken from the match report in the metro

http://www.metro.co.uk/sport/footbal...&in_page_id=43

Former Premier League referee Jeff Winter branded the decision to allow Sunderland's winner against Liverpool as 'absolutely amazing'

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.

'Talk about an outside influence - the ball went in off the beach ball and completely deceived the Liverpool goalkeeper.

'I am absolutely amazed that for a referee at that level of football, that between him, his assistant, the fourth official, they didn't see what had happened and give the correct decision.'

Finally someone appreciating the seriousness of this, when everyone else is treating it as ajoke

[Reece]

Taken from the match report in the metro

http://www.metro.co.uk/sport/footbal...&in_page_id=43




Finally someone appreciating the seriousness of this, when everyone else is treating it as ajoke

I think that's what has pissed me off the most about the whole thing. As I suggested previously, if it had happened to the Mancs and "Sir Alex" then it would be the biggest disgrace ever in football.

[Exiled_red]

I think that's what has pissed me off the most about the whole thing. As I suggested previously, if it had happened to the Mancs and "Sir Alex" then it would be the biggest disgrace ever in football.

Admittedly I would probably have seen the funny side if it had happened to someone else, but after having a laugh you still have to identify that there is an underlying problem with what happened here.

Shankly said "the problem with referees is that they know the rules but they don't know the game", this one didn't even know the rules and for me for a referee in professional football that is unforgivable.