Sent this to Sky Sports last night as a complaint about Ref Watch. Will watch and see if Dermot is made to squirm.
Since the introduction of VAR in the Premier League this season I have watched Dermot Gallagher escape from being challenged properly by the presenters who have allowed Dermot to justify poor refereeing decisions and subsequent failure by VAR to intervene.
I distinctly recall Dermot's defence of the decision by VAR to disallow Gabriel Jesus's goal for Man City v Spurs when it allegedly brushed Laporte's arm as he challenged for a header.
Dermot pointed to a graphic that sky sports had on screen stating " the following handball situations, even if accidental, will be a free kick...the ball goes into the goal after touching an attacking player's hand/arm."
Dermot's exact words were " I..I don't understand what the confusion is because that is quite clear (pointing to the Sky graphic), We saw it the week before, we explained it, I..I..I think it's quite clear, it might not be what we like but it's there, and it's there, it's there for the rest of the season at least because they will never change it mid season, I can't see that happening, but what I will say, it's consistent, because it's no longer a matter of opinion, it's no longer subjective, the referee each week will make the same decision."
Please remind Dermot of his own words on ref watch tomorrow and ask him why the Newcastle goal against Watford on Saturday was allowed to stand after an obvious handball, when he himself states the handball rule is clear, it's consistent, it's no longer subjective, it's no longer a matter of opinion and the referee each week will make the same decision.
So who are the ones that are confused Dermot, is it those subject to the laws or those applying the laws?