The question has to be asked, even if the FA cannot be arsed, because when that day of further Fergie disservice to referees, assembled media, or any group that deigns to put a contra view to his, eventually arrives the United hierarchy will surely get around to gauging the length of time the old boy has left in terms of months rather than years. Fair enough, over the weekend there were an assorted number of media outlets only too pleased to jump on the United manager’s bandwagon hurtling towards the many unfit referees that officiate their games [and, it seems, only their games] and just this morning we hear from his on-pitch mouthpiece, Gary Neville, who is diving feet first into the idea of an elite pool of these lazy good-for-nothings [not his words, but you guess they might just as well be] and coming up for air thinking that he might have found the solution to an age old problem - that of United getting the odd bad decision or two in games they only draw or, perish the thought, actually lose.

Personally, I’d give it until Wednesday before some other poor sod of a messenger, probably Carrick, is wheeled out to tell us that the guy appointed for United’s game at the weekend, whoever he turns out to be, is infinitely better than those they’ve had to put up so far with this season. Always assuming, of course, that the authorities don’t show some backbone, let alone sense of humour, in the meantime and appoint Wiley to the task for the sheer hell of it. Anyway, no more of that rant and instead back to Neville and a few quotes to see exactly where he is coming from in Fergie’s hour of need…

“Referees are having a tough time at the moment [no mention of who’s giving them most grief, eh Gary?] but I must say that their decision-making doesn’t seem to be great in the big moments. No one can deny it is very difficult to be a referee [then why are you continually making it more so, both on and off the pitch?] but they are supposed to be professionals [ouch! - not exactly full marks for tact]

“The big matches should be refereed by the best referees [classic statement of the bleedin’ obvious, but nevertheless wise words, old son] Italian referee Pierluigi Collina always used to get the big Champions League matches because he rarely made mistakes. They should make it like that in England and use a few [not just one Italian then?] elite officials in the big games instead of trying to give all referees experience [yeh, why on earth would you want to do that?]

“These big games shouldn’t be about giving refs experience. They should have to earn it [how, if you don’t give them any big games?] The best players play for the big clubs and the best commentators commentate on the big games [hahahahahaha] That’s how it should be with refs†[Gary, you fiesty little Fergie-helper, that’s how it is in the Premiership already! The best, like them or loathe them, have all reached the top and are officiating in the important games. Okay, we know they can’t all be as nice and one-sided as that Mike Riley, but jeez you have to realise that his stratospheric level of Old Trafford biased-based officialdom only comes round once in a red moon, so start setting your big-decision and right-decision monitors a tad lower on the realistic scale before telling the rest of us ’how it should be’ with refs or you will be in danger of looking out of your depth, clever debate and deception-wise.

Indeed, if Neville’s boss cared enough to read these follow up remarks to those of his own I’m sure he’d be shaking his head in disbelief at the number of verbal trapdoors his club captain fell through in a single article designed to provide both useful insight and calming influence where none existed in the United camp before. Then again, maybe his captain said precisely what he wanted him to say and it was a case of ‘up yours’ Keith Hackett and crew. Should that have been the plan, continuing with this unsubtle carping will surely push the Referees Association, let alone the FA, over the edge of what has become limp reasoning. The situation isn’t going to improve if Sir Alex has gone beyond contrition and perhaps the answer to the question posed in the heading is a simple one - he will never change and his next Premiership setback will bring about an immediate resumption of hostilities. Still, whilst this may not be a laughing matter, the ’best commentators commentate on the big games’ remark certainly was!

It's a disgrace. A f**king disgrace.

While I agree that what fergie and co get away with is disgraceful, I think we can all agree that the quality of refereeing is poor.

There are very few top level refs that I think are up to the job, Howard Webb is one but the likes of Wiley and Riley are pathetic.

Thing is though, who'd want to be a referee when all you get is insulted by managers and players at all levels of the game. Fergie has an example to set as he is the most high profile manager.

I'd like to see the FA fast-track promising ref's into the top levels, giving them proper training and good pay. At the moment you have to work your way up from the bottom and even if you are promoted at every opportunity it still takes a long time before you even reach the football league.

Respect needs to come from both sides. Players and managers need to respect the refs decision, while the FA and the ref's need to respect the integrity of the game.

But anyway nothing will change, Fergie will serve his ban while the rest of United goes apesh*t at the unfairness of it all. Then he'll return to the touchline and get 25 minutes extra time and 2 penalties in his favour first game back.

I dont understand the double talk on this issue. Refs do a generally good job given the circumstances theyre in, but lets hold them fully accountable when they get it wrong. The problem isnt with them, its with the system theyre in.

The odds are stacked against officials. The respect campaign is in tatters, thanks in no small part to the noises coming from old trafford and the actions of their players. Most of it comes down to the fact that there is too much money riding on games in football. You have players being paid millions, fighting and contesting for anything like wild dogs, trying to con the refs if they can, and tens of thousands of braying fans trying to put their two cents in. Meanwhile the FA and footballing authorities in general are perfectly willing to let their officials bear the brunt of bad decision making. Their refusal in many cases to make anything more than baby steps toward giving officials an extra set of eyes or two is laughable. They call technology "unreliable" but surely in football, nothing is more reliable than the ultra sharp images of close decisions beamed into every living room 20 times over. How can this not be regarded as a safety net where goal-line technology fails.

Nobody is ever going to be happy until some kind of change is introduced to make sure these close decisions are not all made from the perspective of one "fit" man running around the field and his two assisstants. The on-field conduct of players should also be under scrutiny, because thats where it all starts. When fans see their players react angrily to a decision, they become doubly sure of what their bias already tells them. I think Rugby (not sure if its applicable to league or union) has got it right. If a player is not a captain, they shouldnt be allowed to remonstrate with the referee unless approached first, and even then they should be respectful or face punishments NO MATTER WHAT A CARDING OR A SENDING OFF MEANS. Rugby also seems to have the communication between officials and the video replay thing down pretty well. If referees have all these tools at their disposal, to get matters right, and still screw up, then its time to look at punishing them.

Neville's idea isnt bad (at least in general terms) but the fact that its him saying this is an abomination. And Dorset is right to take his words apart bit by bit. Everyone gets bad decisions at times, and moves on. The level of crying from that lot this season has been unreal. They have gotten the occasional bad bounce. Nobody has tried to Obrebo-them or anything.

Edited November 16, 200915 yr by TheWestwayWonder

in my opinion the players and managers have to take more responsibility for the mess football is in now. Refs have a nearly impossible job telling fouls from dives, real injuries from fake injuries, etc. mainly because players push the limits on everything now, so its no wonder refs are struggling. for f**ks sake, they pinch 10 yards at every single throw in and even place the ball outside the corner markers now, just because they can. if they want better reffing then stop acting like a pack of w**kers and let him get on with his job.

It's a disgrace. A f**king disgrace.

I agree completely. :)

in my opinion the players and managers have to take more responsibility for the mess football is in now. Refs have a nearly impossible job telling fouls from dives, real injuries from fake injuries, etc. mainly because players push the limits on everything now, so its no wonder refs are struggling. for f**ks sake, they pinch 10 yards at every single throw in and even place the ball outside the corner markers now, just because they can. if they want better reffing then stop acting like a pack of w**kers and let him get on with his job.

that's exactly right. it's as if every professional footballer is brought up to appeal for everything even when they know full well the decision should fo the other way. remember after the evans assault on didier drogba his immediaet reaction was to raise his arms in appeal, and as we all know he got away with it. i think this and the aggreived look on his face was in some ways even worse than the attack itself. this is an extreme example but it's typical of an attitude that is rife throughout the game. they're all at it all the time. again and again you see a player acting outraged when a decision doesn't go his way even though it's obvious to everyone, and that includes the player himself, that the decision should go the other way.

i'm not sayin gthey're all like that. of course there are exceptions. but waht chance DO referees have when the vast majority of players spend the vast majority of time attempting to con the ref that every single decision should go their way? i firmly believe this is the fault of the coaches and managers. players generally do, or at least try to do, what they're told to. and all this makes fergusons action in criticising referees even more hypocritical.

I don't think it's about if the decision a ref makes is the right one, it's about if the ref is making it fairly. If we can agree that refs are calling things as they see them then it has to be down to the players and managers to accept every decision made and play the game the way the ref calls it. That will lead to less cheating by the players, more people being prepared to ref and as a result, better standard of refs.

If referees are making dishonest decisions then the FA should sack them.

It's down to the clubs at the top to make the changes, is not the refs fault (generally!).

Gary Neville and Sir Rednose you are a complete pair of c*nuts.

in my opinion the players and managers have to take more responsibility for the mess football is in now. Refs have a nearly impossible job telling fouls from dives, real injuries from fake injuries, etc. mainly because players push the limits on everything now, so its no wonder refs are struggling. for f**ks sake, they pinch 10 yards at every single throw in and even place the ball outside the corner markers now, just because they can. if they want better reffing then stop acting like a pack of w**kers and let him get on with his job.

exactly. The culture of the game needs to change, and i dont mean some phony baloney Respect campaign that the authorities are too spineless to actually back

exactly. The culture of the game needs to change, and i dont mean some phony baloney Respect campaign that the authorities are too spineless to actually back

the main problem is the refs never get any backing from their superiors or the managers. as a rugby league fan i can tell you now that if ever a player acted the way some footballers do towards refs they would be dropped by their coaches in a second, no matter how good they are.