I discovered a few weeks back an excellent website called http://pitchinvasion.net/. There are some excellent artccles on the site and very insitful view points. The latest post talks about the perception of Referee’s in Italy & England by the media.
The article talks about how the Italian Media recreated the league table based on what the outcome would have been if key decisions had gone different ways. What was also interesting is the comments about the italian coverage of the Liverpool vs Arsenal game and their view that no one really appealed or complained was English sporting behaviour.
“Last night’s commentators on the Liverpool-Arsenal match on RAI, the Italian state TV, took this analysis one step further. Highlighting the lack of protests by Arsenal players against the penalty denied them at the Emirates, and the similar acceptance of the (equally wrong) penalty decision against Arsenal at Anfield, pundits speculated as to the cause and consequences of this failure to argue with the ref. The cause, it was widely agreed, was English sportingness and fair play. (Try not to laugh). The consequence is a more interesting question: pundits hypothesised that the referee’s job is easier and that his decisions are of a better quality where he is accorded respect, or at least unquestioning obedience. The better the referee is able to direct the game, it was argued, without challenges to his authority, the more likely he is to run the game fairly, effectively and with balanced and accurate decisions”
The article goes on though to ask an important question and maybe one that helps go someway to understand the problems Referee’s face. Do teams, players and fans care how they win. Does a win count for less if its down to the other team having a player sent off in controversial circumstances? Do you care if you score from a goal that was really offside? Does it really matter if you win the world cup if the ball wasnt over the line (look it was over ok!)
