so this agenda thing.

[Newman Noggs]

Perhaps you could help we sandy heads understand how this 'dodgy' charade was conceptualised? I mean did referees have it as a formal agenda (if you'll forgive the pun) item at their AGM this year - point 1. How do we go about nobbling those Blue bastards? - or is it more of an evolving concept like the Endlosung, or is it more of a Cold War thing with sleeper cells of City hating officials put in place in 2008 and now becoming active? All joking apart though, what are you suggesting? An unexplained inherent loathing of City? Brown envelopes stuffed with cash passed under tables in the back rooms of pubs? What?

it's just a case of them seeking to please their employers when they can get away with it - their employers' desires being totally obvious and mirroring those of their own employers.

so why would being biased on City games please their employers ? genuine question

"It's a double-edged sword," said Scudamore. "When your most popular club isn't doing as well, that costs you interest and audience in some places."

"There are lots of fans around the world who wish Manchester United were winning it again," Scudamore told Bloomberg.

"But you have to balance that off against, generally, we're in the business of putting on a competition and competition means people can compete."

It doesn't take a tin foil hat to realise that something is wrong there nor which "edge" of the "sword" is going to win that argument in a multi-billion pound industry. the use of the word "generally" gives it away since it implies it isn't the only consideration. "Interest and audience" v "competition" ? Hmmm, tough one.

In relation to City, the commercial argument would be that Liverpool are an audience puller and a media favourite and the Arse and Chelsea are an established part of the brand. That leaves us as the team they could really do without and the team that has effectively replaced the league's money-spinner. Personally, I believe that this effect is diminishing year on year but that referees still tend to give what they see as 50/50 decisions against us, simply because it's the path of least resistance.

 

[tonea2003]

it's just a case of them seeking to please their employers when they can get away with it - their employers' desires being totally obvious and mirroring those of their own employers.

so why would being biased on City games please their employers ? genuine question

"It's a double-edged sword," said Scudamore. "When your most popular club isn't doing as well, that costs you interest and audience in some places."

"There are lots of fans around the world who wish Manchester United were winning it again," Scudamore told Bloomberg.

"But you have to balance that off against, generally, we're in the business of putting on a competition and competition means people can compete."

It doesn't take a tin foil hat to realise that something is wrong there nor which "edge" of the "sword" is going to win that argument in a multi-billion pound industry. the use of the word "generally" gives it away since it implies it isn't the only consideration. "Interest and audience" v "competition" ? Hmmm, tough one.

In relation to City, the commercial argument would be that Liverpool are an audience puller and a media favourite and the Arse and Chelsea are an established part of the brand. That leaves us as the team they could really do without and the team that has effectively replaced the league's money-spinner. Personally, I believe that this effect is diminishing year on year but that referees still tend to give what they see as 50/50 decisions against us, simply because it's the path of least resistance.

we will probably see the "agenda" in action when the next round of carling cup tv games are announced.
i assume the David v Goliath shrewsbury v chelsea is a cert
then we have us v toon and livepool v swansea
from a viewing figures point of view they should go for liverpool

 

[Newman Noggs]

so why would being biased on City games please their employers ? genuine question

"It's a double-edged sword," said Scudamore. "When your most popular club isn't doing as well, that costs you interest and audience in some places."

"There are lots of fans around the world who wish Manchester United were winning it again," Scudamore told Bloomberg.

"But you have to balance that off against, generally, we're in the business of putting on a competition and competition means people can compete."

It doesn't take a tin foil hat to realise that something is wrong there nor which "edge" of the "sword" is going to win that argument in a multi-billion pound industry. the use of the word "generally" gives it away since it implies it isn't the only consideration. "Interest and audience" v "competition" ? Hmmm, tough one.

In relation to City, the commercial argument would be that Liverpool are an audience puller and a media favourite and the Arse and Chelsea are an established part of the brand. That leaves us as the team they could really do without and the team that has effectively replaced the league's money-spinner. Personally, I believe that this effect is diminishing year on year but that referees still tend to give what they see as 50/50 decisions against us, simply because it's the path of least resistance.

we will probably see the "agenda" in action when the next round of carling cup tv games are announced.
i assume the David v Goliath shrewsbury v chelsea is a cert
then we have us v toon and livepool v swansea
from a viewing figures point of view they should go for liverpool

They will do whatever is most beneficial commercially.

 

[tonea2003]

"It's a double-edged sword," said Scudamore. "When your most popular club isn't doing as well, that costs you interest and audience in some places."

"There are lots of fans around the world who wish Manchester United were winning it again," Scudamore told Bloomberg.

"But you have to balance that off against, generally, we're in the business of putting on a competition and competition means people can compete."

It doesn't take a tin foil hat to realise that something is wrong there nor which "edge" of the "sword" is going to win that argument in a multi-billion pound industry. the use of the word "generally" gives it away since it implies it isn't the only consideration. "Interest and audience" v "competition" ? Hmmm, tough one.

In relation to City, the commercial argument would be that Liverpool are an audience puller and a media favourite and the Arse and Chelsea are an established part of the brand. That leaves us as the team they could really do without and the team that has effectively replaced the league's money-spinner. Personally, I believe that this effect is diminishing year on year but that referees still tend to give what they see as 50/50 decisions against us, simply because it's the path of least resistance.

we will probably see the "agenda" in action when the next round of carling cup tv games are announced.
i assume the David v Goliath shrewsbury v chelsea is a cert
then we have us v toon and livepool v swansea
from a viewing figures point of view they should go for liverpool

They will do whatever is most beneficial commercially.

got it in one

 

[SilverFox2]

Same for TV.

Vast figures paid by BT and Sky to enable cherry picking of the fixtures that will bring highest viewing figures (ie most paying customers).

Mathematically we are just one of several top 4,5,6 or 7 top well supported teams together with random support for all other clubs in the Football League so the chances are that the game selection is made by a supporter of a club other than City.

Will this obvious anti City affiliation influence the game selection process by both BT and Sky ?

 

[waspish]

Back page of the sun a top right little snippet about our 7-0 win!

The scum with the same result would of looked like the back of the evening news..


Yes it's about clicks and paper sales but it's annoying...

 

[cibaman]

Oh dear, we don't need decisions in our favour against Sheffield bloody Weds when we are 3-0 up.

It does help even the stats up come the end of the season though which certainly helps the head in the sand brigade feel better that theres nothing dodgy going on as proven by the above post.

Perhaps you could help we sandy heads understand how this 'dodgy' charade was conceptualised? I mean did referees have it as a formal agenda (if you'll forgive the pun) item at their AGM this year - point 1. How do we go about nobbling those Blue bastards? - or is it more of an evolving concept like the Endlosung, or is it more of a Cold War thing with sleeper cells of City hating officials put in place in 2008 and now becoming active? All joking apart though, what are you suggesting? An unexplained inherent loathing of City? Brown envelopes stuffed with cash passed under tables in the back rooms of pubs? What?

it's just a case of them seeking to please their employers when they can get away with it - their employers' desires being totally obvious and mirroring those of their own employers.

How would their employers know that they were being pleased, as opposed to them just being crap refs?

 

[George Hannah]

Back page of the sun a top right little snippet about our 7-0 win!

The scum with the same result would of looked like the back of the evening news..

Yes it's about clicks and paper sales but it's annoying...

What's wrong is the corrupt methods they resort to to get those sales and clicks - lies, smears and negative reporting about us please their target audiences. Undermining City while hyping up the cartel clubs is a crucial part of their squalid plan.

 

[Exeter Blue I am here]

Perhaps you could help we sandy heads understand how this 'dodgy' charade was conceptualised? I mean did referees have it as a formal agenda (if you'll forgive the pun) item at their AGM this year - point 1. How do we go about nobbling those Blue bastards? - or is it more of an evolving concept like the Endlosung, or is it more of a Cold War thing with sleeper cells of City hating officials put in place in 2008 and now becoming active? All joking apart though, what are you suggesting? An unexplained inherent loathing of City? Brown envelopes stuffed with cash passed under tables in the back rooms of pubs? What?

it's just a case of them seeking to please their employers when they can get away with it - their employers' desires being totally obvious and mirroring those of their own employers.

How would their employers know that they were being pleased, as opposed to them just being crap refs?

There's a lot of implied mutual understanding in this bent refereeing thing I fear! No-one actually tells the referees they have to be biased against City, and the employers aren't allowed to acknowledge a crooked job well done. They just all know instinctively. Sorry, but one or two refs with known familial allegiances to particular clubs (ie Mason and Taylor) duly excepted, it's a load of bollocks

 

[tonea2003]

Back page of the sun a top right little snippet about our 7-0 win!

The scum with the same result would of looked like the back of the evening news..

Yes it's about clicks and paper sales but it's annoying...

What's wrong is the corrupt methods they resort to to get those sales and clicks - lies, smears and negative reporting about us please their target audiences. Undermining City while hyping up the cartel clubs is a crucial part of their squalid plan.

it gets you reading every column inch doesn't it?