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The Glenn Hamilton View - March 9 2008 (archive)

Manchester United was eliminated from the F. A. Cup on Saturday along with holders Chelsea. Not surprisingly, Manchester United is grumbling about missed opportunities and controversies.
Many times, especially in knock-out competitions, if the weak team defeats the strong team then there are plenty of talking points and controversies to follow. In this case United have gone back to the topic of poor referee form. This particular time United saw accusations from both Alex Ferguson and Cristiano Ronaldo with the latter so upset he is threatening to change his style of play.
We all hope Ronaldo is just letting off some steam because surely we do not want to see him change his brilliant style which dazzles audiences and startles defenses all over the world. The big and now seemingly important question is this: do Sir Alex and Ronaldo have a point?
Sure Ronaldo may have given himself a bit of an unwanted tag when he first burst on the scene for United. Many accused him of nothing more then a diver always looking for calls. Believe it or not it seems there is enough proof to suggest that referees put much stock in these tags and do not easily forget them.
Yes Ronaldo dived a bit but that is truly a part of his past now and besides his form over the past two seasons argues otherwise. It is also not the first (and surely not the last) time that Ferguson has issued blistering attacks on referees. It is true anyone can argue that many of these accusations made by the manager over the years have been blown out of proportion but some of them have been true.
Let’s not forget that the Manchester United winger and manager are not the only ones complaining about calls, tactics, and referees lately. Arsene Wenger and Jose Mourinho have made accusing refs and teams of poor tactics an art form over recent years. While they may have just wanted their voices heard most times they may have a point this season.
The refereeing standards this year have been overall poor. When it comes to big games or big teams the refs have been lacking and they get calls wrong. One match that springs easily to mind was the Liverpool derby match earlier this year. The refereeing was seriously below par. While most times no one is badly injured and fist fights usually do not break out, one or both teams will suffer for poor calls made or not made.
Another question most often asked by Wenger is are the big teams targeted by brutish tactics and poor refereeing. He certainly has a case after watching the horrific tackle done to Eduardo by Birmingham’s Martin Taylor. Are teams deciding to take certain players out? Are refs not doing a good enough job with stamping out bad tackles? This may be true and while refs never want to see players get seriously injured, their lack of calls may allow for rougher play.
The rules are the same for every team and no team no matter how big or small should have advantages. Ronaldo feels that he does not get enough protection and this is something he has been voicing long before Eduardo had his leg broken. The scary thing is players are calling out for help and protection from referees and too often they do not get it. It could have easily been Ronaldo’s ankle or Drogba’s or Gerrard’s. Wenger was unlucky because it was his team who saw the first of the horror tackles. I am afraid there will be more if refs do not take a stand against rough tactics.
Ferguson also has a point about refs getting the decision wrong and yes he should be angry when it costs a huge price like getting knocked out of a big competition. Refs need to get decisions right and one way they could be helped is making refereeing in England professional. This has been thrown around for years but still it remains a part time job. Honestly, how can a ref keep a multi-million dollar ego in check when he makes a tiny amount in comparison? Changes need to be instituted and they need to be done quickly because we do not want to see the beautiful game blemished by something that could be fixed easily.

Glenn Hamilton

 

[These views are purely those of the author and does not necessarily reflect the opinions of Red Devil Radio].