N.Ireland v Switzerland referee,

[Howjy04]

Has anyone ,ever,seen a worse decision than the ‘penalty’ last night by a ref.?

[Davebrad]

Has anyone ,ever,seen a worse decision than the ‘penalty’ last night by a ref.?

 

yea every Vale match, we get one.

[Jacko51]

Has anyone ,ever,seen a worse decision than the ‘penalty’ last night by a ref.?

 

That ref was as bent as a nine bob note. What about the failure to give a red card for that assault on the first five minutes.

[Bea Smith]

Has anyone ,ever,seen a worse decision than the ‘penalty’ last night by a ref.?

 

Sadly, the answer is yes. I agree that it was an appalling decision but it is one of many this season at all levels, and if anything the standard of referees and officials seems to be worsening.

 

The introduction of technology and reviews will solve this when perfected to the level that it does not spoil the game with long stoppages, and it will be soon because fans are sick of being cheated by bad decisions in crucial matches.

[Bea Smith]

That ref was as bent as a nine bob note. What about the failure to give a red card for that assault on the first five minutes.

 

Perhaps it was BASEL Faulty refereeing ? (OK, getting my coat).

[beasty77]

Didn't Vale get a similar Peno decision against them at Blackpool a few years ago.

[man in the pub]

Very poor decision and not even a marginal one. Unfortunately could be a very costly one for the Irish, think it was 1982 the last time they qualified for a World Cup. Don't really want to see technology grind the game to a halt as per American Football. Would think a limited number of challenges per Manager(perhaps 2 per game) for certain decisions would not stem the flow of the game particularly as such incidents produce a break in the game anyway. It would also reduce the number of glaring and heartbreakingly unjust decisions made. No consolation to the Irish if they didn't qualify to hear us all say they were robbed.

[Paul6754]

Has anyone ,ever,seen a worse decision than the ‘penalty’ last night by a ref.?

 

Didn't see all the game but that penalty decision was an absolute shocker.

[SourceOfTheTrent]

That ref was as bent as a nine bob note. What about the failure to give a red card for that assault on the first five minutes.

 

FIFA, as we know, are a corrupt organisation and the refereeing in Belfast last night was reminiscent of the refereeing in the Republic v France play off with the infamous Thierry Henry Haarlem Globetrotters impersonation. FIFA obviously favour Switzerland as finalists as opposed to Northern Ireland and it stinks. Why can't they just let the best team win and if that's Switzerland fair enough, if not fair enough too.

 

Be interesting to see what the refereeing is like in Copenhagen tonight. If they aren't bothered who gets through the refereeing will be of a good standard, if not.......

[tommytunstall]

That was the immediate thing that crossed my mind, it was such a bad decision, I think he was got at.

That ref was as bent as a nine bob note. What about the failure to give a red card for that assault on the first five minutes.

[Essex Vale]

I agree with others. The decision was so bad it was corrupt. NI were cheated simple as that. That Referee must be suspended sine die

[RailwayRowdy]

I’m afraid I have to disagree with the general view that refs are corrupt. I agree that it is sometimes difficult to see how they reached their controversial decision, but I do not accept that they are “bent” Also I feel that technology is not the answer. If pundits in the studio cannot agree after reviewing certain incidents many times, it shows that some decisions are not just black and white. In my view, technology will cloud the situation further, not clear it.

[Jacko51]

I’m afraid I have to disagree with the general view that refs are corrupt. I agree that it is sometimes difficult to see how they reached their controversial decision, but I do not accept that they are “bent” Also I feel that technology is not the answer. If pundits in the studio cannot agree after reviewing certain incidents many times, it shows that some decisions are not just black and white. In my view, technology will cloud the situation further, not clear it.

 

The problem with that penalty decision is the ref simply couldn't see it. From his line of sight the player's arm was hidden so he was in no position to see where the ball struck the player. If he's not bent then he's totally incompetent. Either way, he should face a suspension.

[Conrad]

Just seen it for the first time, ludicrous decision, should be struck off as a referee, and that’s before we start on the red card decision.

[RailwayRowdy]

The problem with that penalty decision is the ref simply couldn't see it. From his line of sight the player's arm was hidden so he was in no position to see where the ball struck the player. If he's not bent then he's totally incompetent. Either way, he should face a suspension.

 

I wouldn’t disagree with your suspension comment. However, I do feel that all these continued highlighted contentious decisions (this Norn Iron one being the latest) will lead to further calls for video review technology, which in my opinion simply will not work. No matter many times two different people look at the same incident, there will always be different views and interpretations. However, I do accept that in the N.I. incident an injustice could have been prevented by use of such technology. But these obvious wrong decisions are very few and far between.