Newman Noggs
Well-Known Member
bluemc1 said:George Hannah said: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.Exeter Blue I am here said: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?
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.