General Football Nonsense

[IBK]

And it's not just the reds we have picked up, but also the reds our opponents got away with. That nailed on red for the nasty tackle from behind on Martinelli, which is what probably injured him, is just the latest example. That Liverpool defender not being sent off for a string of offences our players have been carded for time and again, and they get the luxury of subbing him off so he gets maximum benefit from his cheating.

What makes it all finally worth complaining about with a view to getting something done about it, previously when the officials had to decide in the moment there was always the reasonable defence (except in the case of Riley and Bennett of course) the ref or the lino just didn't see it, or had a bad angle or just fucked up. But now, with cameras and other technology all over the place the only reason to get a decision wrong is cheating. And we shouldn't have cheating, not from the clubs (like City's blatant flouting of FFP), the players (with all their rolling around and screaming) and certainly not the officials who are the worst culprits of the lot it seems.

I try to be as objective as I can when it comes to seeing things too much in red and white, and am perhaps naturally inclined not to moan too much about decisions that we can't do anything about. But even so, there does seem to be an anti Arsenal agenda when it comes to PGML and many of the top 'pundits'. Maybe its not even the decisions against us in themselves, but certainly the lack of equivalence when it comes to other teams, including the fact that the basis of decisions against us - eg preventing free kicks; taking too long at throw ins etc seems to disappear once we have fallen foul of them. The latest FA decision - the fine for the players' reaction to MLS's red is an example of this. I did not see our players going over the top (by reference to what is commonplace in the EPL), and at the time I don't think anyone saw anything very different to behaviour from other players towards the ref during the season. Add in the fact that the decision itself was patently wrong, and that that PGML refused to admit this (instead hiding behind - admittedly worng - online abuse of Oliver that my gut says is commonplace, but something used as a PR tactic in our case to deflect from the lamentable refereeing), and it does seem that it is always Arsenal singled out.

I am also pretty disgusted by the reaction to (and even the statement from the Premier League's chief football officer about) the MLS celebration. I mean WTF. It seems like its fine to single out an 18 year old Arsenal player celebrating his first senior goal...

If our judicial system reflected the lack of consistency shown to our club by PGML and the FA then it would be rightly considered unfit for purpose and even corrupt.

[Letters]

Don’t pretend you’re any better though

What are you saying?
That I also engage in pointless bickering which goes round and round in circles until it bores both participants and everyone watching?
How dare you!

[Mac76]

What are you saying?
That I also engage in pointless bickering which goes round and round in circles until it bores both participants and everyone watching?
How dare you!

although I would venture to suggest that in this particular case, one person (clue: not me) is pointlessly bickering, the other is simply trying to make sense of what they are saying (which admittedly is pointless because they're arguing for the sake of arguing...)

[HCZ_Reborn]

What are you saying?
That I also engage in pointless bickering which goes round and round in circles until it bores both participants and everyone watching?
How dare you!

[Niall_Quinn]

ITKs (or so they claim) like Ornstein predicting major news about city coming in the next month. Some bloke on Radio 5 was saying a points deduction is most likely if they are found guilty of some or all of the charges - somewhere in the region of 60-100 points which will drop them down to the lower reaches of the EFP Championship. Also claims the city board will have to resign given they have lied to authorities. Some also saying they will be stripped of titles, if that happened I'm guessing we'll be champs after the fact.

If it happens it will trigger relegation clauses in some of the senior players contracts and they'll be able to walk away. Others will be loaned out with city retaining a basic squad good enough to get them back into the PL.

All sounds a bit far fetched to me. When was the last time anyone super rich was held to account? Juventus I suppose, and Milan. But arabs who probably own half of the UK? Not so certain justice would be blind in this case. They'd also appeal, no doubt, so it could be months or years more before any resolution is reached.

[Letters]

Sounds like wishful thinking, but here's hoping.

[Letters]

Everywhere they go

[Letters]

What do you mean "some"?

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football...s/c7571gng06wo

[Marc Overmars]

As a non-United fan I thought it was quite an engaging interview. Surprised at how honest and candid he was but then again they’ve been so shit it’s probably impossible to even try and put a positive spin on it.

[Letters]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football...s/cvgprplz94yo

Utd plan 100,000 seater stadium.
Best stadium in mid-table