A question for those who think corruption is happening.

[Pigeonho]

Just think about it for a second. Think about what it would take for a United official to go through to make a payment to a ref or any other bod, to ensure a game is not lost. Surely there would be a paper trail? An electronic transfer of data trail? An audio trail? A money trail?

We have just seen the downfall of a Sky 'legend', (their term, not mine), all in the space of 24 hours - because there was a trail. Now some think that trail was set up, and I can see why. That is just to bring down a commentator, not a club and one of the greatest managers ever, just a commentator. Now surely if someone hated United that much and suspected there was foul play with refs, a sting could be set up? Remember how easily Sven got stung by the NOTW? Surely if they thought something was not right, they would set up a sting to unmask the biggest footballing scandal since records began? It couldn't be that hard to do, could it?

Or am I being very naive and very gullible by not realising that it could actually be a matter of a masked menace, sneaking up to Peter Waltons house at night with a self exploding letter which explains what this 'payment' is for?

Still think its happening?

Just to say, this isn't a smartarse pop at those I regard as deluded enough to believe United are favoured upon. You know my thoughts on that. I believe they win because that is all they know to do and whether I get pillared for this or not, I admire how they carve out results like last night and I wish to high heaven we could start doing it. Time will bring that mentality to us, I am certain of it but its all about gaining the experience of doing so, and the fact is they have players there who only know how to win, and that experience rubs off on whoever it is Bacon Face decides to add to the squad for the future.

 

[Blue Si O.B]

why would the notw set up a sting when they are probably in on it ;)

 

[Dirty Harry]

It happened in Italy so why not here ?

Personally I think some go a bit far, but I tend to believe there is definitely a pecking order, an order we are moving up steadily.

 

[Dave Ewing's Back 'eader]

There is no corruption in the sense of brown envelopes, Swiss numbered accounts, money laundering, sovereigns in shoes, etc. There is an accepted WAY in which THINGS shall be! Blackpool do not get penalties when they are playing MANUre, MANUre are struggling so we allow a handball, thrice, and then permit the attacker to take the defence's free kick and score, all elbows within a scarlet shirt are ignored, all kicks within a scarlet boot are disregarded, any element of similarity between teams re disciplining individuals will not be used by the FA, and so on.

 

[Numptyed]

I don't for 1 minute think Utd or any other club are paying refs off, that will never happen in the English game IMO.
I do however think Ref's are a bit frightened to upset firgie or give 50/50 decisions against Utd due to the attention it will gain, every game Utd play has somthing riding on it as they are always genuine challengers for every comp they are in and this means any wrong decision could make a big differance and a big fuss being made out of it in the press with Utd being the biggest club, as a ref i'm sure you wouldn't want to be seen as the reason the pluky underdog won.
You only have to look at the CC final last year and the 2 ratboy sending off's that never happend to see that this is just the way it is, hopefully one day we will be in that possition of power.

 

[Pigeonho]

It happened in Italy so why not here ?

Personally I think some go a bit far, but I tend to believe there is definitely a pecking order, an order we are moving up steadily.

Serie A at that time was nowhere near as global and lucrative as the PL is right now. If this was happening, and there were clear signs it was too, surely someone would want to expose the biggest football story ever, especially a journo from the Sunday Tabloids?

 

[cibaman]

It did happen in Italy so you can never rule it out. But I certainly dont think PL refs are being bribed.

I do think the bigger clubs get the better of referees decisions. I think we've started to benefit from it to some extent(eg we should have conceded a penalty at home to newcastle). I just think its a psychological thing, refs think they'll get more stick if they get one wrong against the bigger clubs. And I think that refs are intimidated by Fergie.

 

[johnmc]

Its all a nonsense.

If United get a decision that goes for them its corruption.

If we get a decision for us it "swings and roundabouts".

When we played Blackpool we had an offside goal given and they had an offside goal chalked off. Corruption?

 

[Pigeonho]

I don't for 1 minute think Utd or any other club are paying refs off, that will never happen in the English game IMO.
I do however think Ref's are a bit frightened to upset firgie or give 50/50 decisions against Utd due to the attention it will gain, every game Utd play has somthing riding on it as they are always genuine challengers for every comp they are in and this means any wrong decision could make a big differance and a big fuss being made out of it in the press with Utd being the biggest club, as a ref i'm sure you wouldn't want to be seen as the reason the pluky underdog won.
You only have to look at the CC final last year and the 2 ratboy sending off's that never happend to see that this is just the way it is, hopefully one day we will be in that possition of power.

But was is there to be scared of? On another thread someone actually said that refs are scared of a 'tongue lashing' off of Taggart. Ooooo, a tongue lashing! Do people seriously believe that a grown man is scared of being shouted at by another grown man, whether it be in public or in a hair-dryer filled office? No-ones scared of being shouted at, but with people on here suggesting the refs are scared of Taggart, what is there to be scared of?

 

[bluemoondays]

There is no corruption in the sense of brown envelopes, Swiss numbered accounts, money laundering, sovereigns in shoes, etc. There is an accepted WAY in which THINGS shall be! Blackpool do not get penalties when they are playing MANUre, MANUre are struggling so we allow a handball, thrice, and then permit the attacker to take the defence's free kick and score, all elbows within a scarlet shirt are ignored, all kicks within a scarlet boot are disregarded, any element of similarity between teams re disciplining individuals will not be used by the FA, and so on.

I agree with this, how many truly game-changing decisions have gone against the scum over the last few years. Compare that to how many times they have got away with blatant fouling, getting in the referee's face. This season alone there could be 3-4 games where they could and should have been down to 10 men, penalties been awarded against them etc. Rafael's refusal to leave the field should have meant a further 2 game ban (a la Mascherano) but the FA Committee decided it didn't warrant it.....

The list is endless