Weekend Football

[leon]

To mis-quote Edmond Blackadder, in the Amazonian rain forests there are tribes of Indians as yet untouched by civilisation who knew that you'd be along soon with a comment like this...

Just doing it to wind Windermere up tbh.

Not at all, my BP is normal now, lot`s of stuff out there slamming the decision, but you can`t put your arm across the keepers throat, he was catching that ball.

Arsenal are a disgrace to football. And Arteta is a massive cnut. Plus this means that Spurs will stay up.

So its a dark day for football.

[windermereROYAL]

If that decision doesn`t wake up the authorities to make the long awaited changes to the corner laws nothing will, we all know it`s not just Arsenal but you would think it is judging by the universal bed wetting.
It`s football, not WWE.

[Double C]

Just doing it to wind Windermere up tbh.

Not at all, my BP is normal now, lot`s of stuff out there slamming the decision, but you can`t put your arm across the keepers throat, he was catching that ball.

Arsenal are a disgrace to football. And Arteta is a massive cnut. Plus this means that Spurs will stay up.

So its a dark day for football.

+1

[Silver Fox]

If that decision doesn`t wake up the authorities to make the long awaited changes to the corner laws nothing will, we all know it`s not just Arsenal but you would think it is judging by the universal bed wetting.
It`s football, not WWE.

Nice to hear an Arsenal fan content to wait another 20+ years for another title

[windermereROYAL]

If that decision doesn`t wake up the authorities to make the long awaited changes to the corner laws nothing will, we all know it`s not just Arsenal but you would think it is judging by the universal bed wetting.
It`s football, not WWE.

Nice to hear an Arsenal fan content to wait another 20+ years for another title

Haven`t won this one yet, Selhurst park is a notoriously hard place to get a result. even if they do field a weakened team.

[Stranded]

Just doing it to wind Windermere up tbh.

Not at all, my BP is normal now, lot`s of stuff out there slamming the decision, but you can`t put your arm across the keepers throat, he was catching that ball.

Arsenal are a disgrace to football. And Arteta is a massive cnut. Plus this means that Spurs will stay up.

So its a dark day for football.

Spurs were always staying up anyway.

Even the point would have left WHam behind them on GD so if Spurs win again tonight (they will), then it would have been all but over either way.

[katweslowski]

I've seen so much anger over the VAR decision yesterday, but it was the right call and no one can disagree with that? So it seems people are just angry because Arsenal benefited from it, and there are inconsistencies... well of course there are as it's different officials, different circumstances, it's never going to be binary is it?

Why are people so angry?

1) If players stopped ENDLESSLY cheating in the game, the officials job would be easier. By this I mean, claiming a throw-in when they know there isn't one. Claiming a head injury, or being tripped, or making out they're really hurt when they're not

2) Corners by their very nature is just a scrum of activity. I don't think it's ever going easy to get right. It's just pulling, jumping, waving arms about

[From Despair To Where?]

Not angry at the decision, it was the right call, just taking the piss out of Arsenal fans who endlessly bleat when a VAR decision goes in favour of one of their rivals but are conspicuous by their silence when it goes their way

All the excuses they throw out as to why they haven't won the title in the past are equally valid for them likely winning it this season.

It's not been a great season, IMO. Liverpool have been poor, City have been inconsistent and Arsenal. Have ground out a very George Grahamesque title win. in fact I'd say the Arsenal side with Thomas, Rocastle and Merson in midfield were a better watch.

[katweslowski]

Oh and btw, I have said before that it's fair enough for managers to moan about VAR... but if they really are that serious about it, they need to come out when it goes THEIR way. But of course they won't. They'll never say anything like "We did get a penalty, but I don't think that was the right call".

So it's always going to be a case of questionnable integrity - just like Southampton spying on other clubs. They'll do anything to get ahead, and moan when it goes against them.

[6ft Kerplunk]

I've seen so much anger over the VAR decision yesterday, but it was the right call and no one can disagree with that?

What I'd expect VAR to do is if they've decided that it was a foul on Raya to then check for any fouls that happened before it. There looked to be plenty to me. I'd even argue that the West Ham player's arm is only across Raya's chest because he's been clearly fouled by Trossard who hasn't made any attempt to play the ball or even look to where it might be. He's just trying to push the West Ham player out of the way, anywhere else on the pitch and that's a freekick. Without that the West Ham players gets to jump and legally challenge for the ball so its not certain that Raya catches it cleanly or punches it away. That's before you look at what Rice and Gabriel were doing.
So if VAR say its a foul on Raya, go back to the moment the corner was taken and give the first foul that happens chronologically whether that was for Arsenal or West Ham.
The refs have made a rod for their own back with this having not clamped down on all the blocking off and grabbing sooner. I'm not having the "its always been like this" nonsense either, its got far worse in recent years.

[katweslowski]

I hear all the debat and it's just that - debate and subjectiveness. You and thousands of others will agree on one side, many others disagree. So it's no surprise then that officials see things completely differently.

Fans seem to expect binary decisions like "What about 4 weeks ago when...." and forget that the ref was different, the var was different, the entire situation was different.

This is why I hate VAR. It doesn't remove arguments, I think it makes it worse, both for spectators, fans and players.

[South Coast Royal]

I've seen so much anger over the VAR decision yesterday, but it was the right call and no one can disagree with that?

What I'd expect VAR to do is if they've decided that it was a foul on Raya to then check for any fouls that happened before it. There looked to be plenty to me. I'd even argue that the West Ham player's arm is only across Raya's chest because he's been clearly fouled by Trossard who hasn't made any attempt to play the ball or even look to where it might be. He's just trying to push the West Ham player out of the way, anywhere else on the pitch and that's a freekick. Without that the West Ham players gets to jump and legally challenge for the ball so its not certain that Raya catches it cleanly or punches it away. That's before you look at what Rice and Gabriel were doing.
So if VAR say its a foul on Raya, go back to the moment the corner was taken and give the first foul that happens chronologically whether that was for Arsenal or West Ham.
The refs have made a rod for their own back with this having not clamped down on all the blocking off and grabbing sooner. I'm not having the "its always been like this" nonsense either, its got far worse in recent years.

I have noticed that in previous weeks, i.e.no consideration is given to other things when the focus is just on the one incident.

Watching a game the other week the ref and VAR decided that a defender touched the ball before the attacker therefore no foul was given.
Having established that fact play carried on with a goal kick when it was the defender who put the ball behind when making his tackle.

Now that we have VAR is there any likelihood of going back?
I guess not but I feel it should only be used for elements of fact,( was the player offside, was the foul inside the penalty area or did the ball cross the line ?) rather than matters of opinion and, for better or worse the ref's immediate decision is final, other than if facts prove clearly that the decision was wrong.

[BraisingsteakRoyal]

Raya should have come and caught the ball anyway instead of flapping at it and falling over like a massive fanny.

[windermereROYAL]

Raya should have come and caught the ball anyway instead of flapping at it and falling over like a massive fanny.

Yet another one that`s never experienced football at an elite level.

[AthleticoSpizz]

It’s not often (well, never actually) but, c’mon LEEDS LEEDS LEEDS

[Stranded]

I've seen so much anger over the VAR decision yesterday, but it was the right call and no one can disagree with that?

What I'd expect VAR to do is if they've decided that it was a foul on Raya to then check for any fouls that happened before it. There looked to be plenty to me. I'd even argue that the West Ham player's arm is only across Raya's chest because he's been clearly fouled by Trossard who hasn't made any attempt to play the ball or even look to where it might be. He's just trying to push the West Ham player out of the way, anywhere else on the pitch and that's a freekick. Without that the West Ham players gets to jump and legally challenge for the ball so its not certain that Raya catches it cleanly or punches it away. That's before you look at what Rice and Gabriel were doing.
So if VAR say its a foul on Raya, go back to the moment the corner was taken and give the first foul that happens chronologically whether that was for Arsenal or West Ham.
The refs have made a rod for their own back with this having not clamped down on all the blocking off and grabbing sooner. I'm not having the "its always been like this" nonsense either, its got far worse in recent years.

I have noticed that in previous weeks, i.e.no consideration is given to other things when the focus is just on the one incident.

Watching a game the other week the ref and VAR decided that a defender touched the ball before the attacker therefore no foul was given.
Having established that fact play carried on with a goal kick when it was the defender who put the ball behind when making his tackle.

Now that we have VAR is there any likelihood of going back?
I guess not but I feel it should only be used for elements of fact,( was the player offside, was the foul inside the penalty area or did the ball cross the line ?) rather than matters of opinion and, for better or worse the ref's immediate decision is final, other than if facts prove clearly that the decision was wrong.

The 2 things that would help VAR are time limits and the ref on the pitch being the main arbiter of its use.

Similar to rugby, the goal goes in and is given so the ref refers to VAR with the question - "My decsion is goal, is there any clear reason why I cannot give it?" This sets off a 90 second window for VAR to confirm and flag a clear issue.

This can all happen whilst people are off celebrating and a final decision is made before the game would naturally kick off. If there is nothing clear in that 90 seconds, you stick with the refs decision and the guidance to refs should be, if unsure, give the advantage to the attacking team before checking.

VAR is about to be changed in time for the WC and will now be able, amongst other things, to be used to decide if it should be a corner/goal kick when it is unclear who touched it last.

[Winston Biscuit]

my new hated thing in football is people saying how many times a referee watched a replay on var, as to try and back up their point that it wasn't then obvious.

[BRO_BOT]

At an Arsenal corner, the ref could shut his eyes, blow the whistle, and then decide if it was a penalty or a free-kick. There'd be enough in VAR to back him up either way. A fcuking #shambles

[BraisingsteakRoyal]

Raya should have come and caught the ball anyway instead of flapping at it and falling over like a massive fanny.

Yet another one that`s never experienced football at an elite level.

I've experienced enough to know that one of the billy basics of elite goalkeeping is "if you're gonna come, come with violence". Last few minutes of a game like that - you either come and punch it well clear, or you come and take absolutely everyone out - knowing full well that no goalie ever gets punished for that. I stand by my earlier comments - massive, flappy fanny.

[Sutekh]

Ex-players becoming referees and being fast tracked into the select groups should be encouraged. Referees should not be forced to retire at 47 either, once reaching that age they should be moved into assessment, training and VAR operation.