Recent content by DavidObs

16 years as a PL Referee, 13 years as a FIFA Referee & now aged 47, must all take its toll. On top of that, he had the unpleasant incident with Mourinho. Im sure he would have loved to have Refereed the WC final at some point, but it’s so random & impossible when your country is in the semi...

Disappointingly, but hopefully appropriately punished following the outcome of the review.

Sadly, I think you are right. Also, I tuned in for the 2nd half about 2 mins before it started & to hear the message being converted of ‘Love’ with Trump in attendance (though probably in hospitality networking) came across as nauseating/insincere - I reckon the children involved were sincere...

When they play (if you can call it that) like that they deserve to lose, so they got exactly what they deserved. Perhaps now they will reflect on their performance & change the error of their ways for the future.

I tend to agree with you on this incident (though in the frames before the player touched the ball the AR wasn’t even in the frame/not close to being in line with the goal-line, but your point is still valid). Would your view/logic change if the ball was crossing the goal-line for a goal/no goal...

I accept your points, though my rationale is based upon what has been often adopted in this World Cup. As to your local sensei, if he/she penalised you for 5 missed yellows & a missed red, that would have been very harsh too imo - though if it was me, I would want you to talk me through at least...

Very harsh by saying the Referee was poor even based on the LotG. Did he stick rigidly to the Laws of the game throughout - no, but that doesn’t mean to say his performance under that heading was poor. Did he miss any mandatory offences that would require a caution - no. Did he attempt to allow...

Sorry - Pickford had no chance. Should have been closed down quicker and not allow the shot.

Much I could relate to above especially your last sentence, though it’s my experience there have been many occasions when the tried & tested idea/method hasn’t been used & there has been all hell broken out because of the AR’s flag from so far away & going against a decision made by the...

When Comms first came out I would say many L2 Referees & their Assistants struggled, but by Christmas many had adapted the motto of less is more and getting the hang of not having an open mic!! Having more reliable equipment since then has also helped which I believe was largely in place during...

You are right, reversing a wrong decision is often met with credit, so long as it only happens on rare occasions in a match - once & no more than twice, because things can quickly turn. As you have said, angle is also important and one reason why the Referee made a mistake yesterday was because...

I understand where you are coming from, but for me it’s a dilemma because in my world decision making more or less comes from credibility of position (certainly helps to identify & sell). In the case last night, the outcome was correct and the Referee would have known his AR very well being part...

He wasn’t great imo, but I don’t think he was bad either & at the end of the day, what big decisions were made, whether it be penal or technical (offside), the outcomes were correct. He was also very calm & overall players got on with the game throughout.

Crewe will be very unpopular with Prescott Cables for such a late postponement & perhaps lacks a bit of professionalism for not sending someone to the ground during the morning or the day before etc (only 50 mins away) if they thought there may be issues. It was the dryness/hardness of the...

It was obviously wrong having seen a replay, but not in real time with the cameras showing the incident at the time from the T/A side of the pitch across the other side. However, I acknowledge that at least Dale Johnson was informed that it was an AR who informed the Referee by comms that it was...