Football Dispatch

Premier League re-cap

20 August 2007

Two things irked me this weekend. The first was Arsene Wenger’s pitiful and predictable whinging after Arsenal drew 1-1 at Blackburn Rovers. The second was the despicable and equally predictable criticism heaped on referee Rob Styles by all and sundry. I’ll deal with Le Boss, first.

In his post-match comments, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger referred to Blackburn’s play as “over-physical” and claimed that the host club had a “desire for violence.” He is dead wrong in each instance.

The neutral observer, which Wenger certainly is not, watched Blackburn Rovers play Arsenal off the park, yesterday. It was the same Arsenal which frustrated so many of their own supporters last season by their inability to score and unwillingness to partake in the physical elements which typify English football.

Blackburn manager Mark Hughes, by comparison, hit the nail on the head. “It was a cheap-shot,” retorted the Welshman after hearing of Wenger’s remarks. “He was hiding behind those comments because his team were dominated.” For the record, of the seven bookings made by referee Alan Wiley at Ewood Park, four were awarded to Arsenal players.

Onward-ho to that little incident at Anfield, yesterday. I was greatly disappointed when learned that referee Rob Styles had apologized for his performance during the 1-1 draw between Liverpool and Chelsea. While I agree that officials should be held accountable for their performances on the field of play, that accountability should not be directed at players, fans, or the media. Rather, officials should only be required to answer to the league which they represent.

By publicly acknowledging his error in judgement, Styles has thrown open the gates of venom which will surely pour out of the mouths of each and every English football fan who feels he has been somehow wronged by a decision gone against. Brace for it. It has started already.

Liverpool fans have every right to express their disappointment at the penalty decision. But the fact of the matter is, when a club is relying on the overturning of a referee’s call to alter the result of the match, it is playing with fire and probably doesn’t deserve the three points anyhow.

Turn the clock back to the 2005 Champions’ League Final. AC Milan supporters felt that they had been wronged when Steven Gerrard went to ground and earned a penalty to Liverpool. However, as we all know, Milan would have been foolish to pin the result on that one decision.

Here’s an idea. Match officials should be full-time and paid as such. For once, this is an area where football would be well advised to follow the lead of North American professional sports. When referees are full-time and paid a salary comparable to that of players and managers, they are far more willing to face the scrutiny. As it stands, the leagues are merely hanging them out to dry.