Ref Watch

[Stephen230]

Leaving aside this is a farcical interpretation of handball—as pointed out by many commentators, pundits, and journalists—one of the main issues is that similar incidents don’t always result in a handball/penalty being given, including in the same match, as was the case here (AWB handball in the box with his trailing arm well away from his body touching the ball). United themselves have actually not been given handball for even worse situations (Lindelof’s obvious elbow out to stop a low cross immediately comes to mind).

The inconsistency is the biggest problem. If this was *always* a handball it would be easier to accept. But it isn’t. Sometimes it is, sometime it isn’t. And it being given in this particular situation, with United having created practically nothing before the incident, with no player really even protested for it (because they all knew it wasn’t intentional and there wasn’t much Grealish could do to avoid it given how close he was to AWB), and VAR having to view multiple angles to even confirm it touched his hand, make it an especially harsh decision.

And one that could have turned the tide of the match. Just as ignoring Casemiro’s challenge on Akanji and Fred’s on De Bruyne could have (not to mention Fred’s many other fouls).

Unfortunately, as I said in an earlier post, the inconsistency appears to be a feature, not a bug, of the current officiating setup. It gives them leeway to make whatever decision is needed to protect the spectacle of the game.

It is an example of “balancing” matches that seems to be used more and more, especially with us.

Nobody, least of all me, is denying there are frustrating inconsistencies.

I was just answering the guy who asked what I thought the process would be in a case like Grealish’s handball.

There wasn’t a similar handball in the match. I was talking specifically about when there is clear evidence the ball touches the hand while the hand is high up near head height. They’ll always be an exception somewhere but I can’t recall one where that hasn’t been given. I remember a Leeds one the other week that looked awfully harsh and he was even shoved from behind into ball.

But whether you or me or Alan Shearer like it or not, they are consistently giving those where their hands are up near head height pretty much every time.

 

[elbearos]

It wasnt actually going to anyone, i dont think they had anyone near

 

[meltonblue]

Nobody, least of all me, is denying there are frustrating inconsistencies.

I was just answering the guy who asked what I thought the process would be in a case like Grealish’s handball.

There wasn’t a similar handball in the match. I was talking specifically about when there is clear evidence the ball touches the hand while the hand is high up near head height. They’ll always be an exception somewhere but I can’t recall one where that hasn’t been given. I remember a Leeds one the other week that looked awfully harsh and he was even shoved from behind into ball.

But whether you or me or Alan Shearer like it or not, they are consistently giving those where their hands are up near head height pretty much every time.

Yup, it’s the interpretation of the arms being in an unnatural position that’s gone to pot this season in particular, seen quite a few similarly given.

The AWB one, like you say, is different. They do seem to be judging those more on natural movement (which they should still be doing too with ones like Grealish’s).

On the others, I didn’t think Casemiros was a red, thought it was a yellow, and the KDB one was one of those where I don’t think VAR would have intervened either way.

 

[ballbag]

We need to start leathering balls at 60mph directly at refs at head height and see where their arm naturally goes.

 

[Eds]

The yellow card for Ortega was the biggest joke. I think just before he booked him the ref called Gundo over to him and must have told him to tell Ortega he was on a warning. Bear in mind that Ortega had barely touched the ball up until that point other than start our attacks. Next minute yellow card comes out. Let's hope Tierney refs the same way next season as if not you have to ask why he decided the yellow card was merited. The other thing refs need to clamp down on are the fake injuries to a keeper. De Gea went down in the first half for no reason but miraculously survived until the final whistle with no further treatment. The stupid thing is that teams don't realise these tactical injuries so that a manager has time to issue new instructions also gives Pep the time to do what he needs to do. It's called cheating and needs to stop.

 

[Bluearmy]

Yup, it’s the interpretation of the arms being in an unnatural position that’s gone to pot this season in particular, seen quite a few similarly given.

The AWB one, like you say, is different. They do seem to be judging those more on natural movement (which they should still be doing too with ones like Grealish’s).

On the others, I didn’t think Casemiros was a red, thought it was a yellow, and the KDB one was one of those where I don’t think VAR would have intervened either way.

Its as clear a penalty as you’ll ever see….

 

[threadkiller]

Blackpool Tower hopefully.

You hope I commit suicide because we disagree about the interpretation of a players movement in a football match?

 

[halfcenturyup]

View attachment 81985

That cant be real surely?

 

[meltonblue]

Its as clear a penalty as you’ll ever see….

I thought it was a penalty, and like I said I don’t think var would have intervened had it been given either.

I’d be interested to see the vid again to confirm I still think that though, don’t think a still image proves that much.

 

[VOOMER]

It really isn't though. If I do a 180 turn in mid air, my arms don't flail out (I just tried it! )

sniff, sniff, sniff