We’ll discuss Celtic’s failure to reproduce the kind of performance which humbled Hearts 0-4 at Tynecastle last time we faced them later. For now it’s worth considering what SFA Head of Referee Development, John Fleming, does next.
It’s been a year since he took over the job and whatever his hopes for the calibre of performances when he was appointed, he will surely consider the shambles of referee performances an “affront” (to use one of his words) to standards.
Euan Norris’ performance yesterday was abject. He saw Ian Black go over the ball and plant his studs into the leg of Joe Ledley but awarded only a yellow card. He saw the same player deliberately handle the ball later but awarded only a foul.
The rules on handball could not be clearer. A player must make a deliberate attempt to play the ball with his hand or arm, or to have moved his hand or arm into an unnatural position, before he can be considered to have committed a foul.
This rule is neither new nor unfamiliar. Balls innocuously strike hands and arms in almost every game raising interest only from partisan fans ignorant of the rules. And for the record – if you are slide-tackling, jumping to head or turning your back on a shot, the natural position for your arms are not stationary and by your side. Neither incident late in the game were penalties.
Norris failed on all important calls during the game and is clearly doing the reputation of the SFA, and by implication, Fleming, any good.
No one emerged with any credit after last week’s Charlie Richmond fiasco but Fleming suffered in particular. His briefing to the Daily Record, which simultaneously listed Richmond’s confidential performance statistics, confirmed the impression that Hampden is playing fast and loose with appropriate behaviour.
A wise rector once said, ‘Judge me on my graduates, not my students’. Fleming is working with the population he inherited, but it is his responsibility to improve standards and enhance the reputation of referees. On both counts he is under water.
In a curious twist, Fleming’s predecessor is on stv.tv today comparing Neil Lennon’s reaction to that of Harry Redknapp’s reaction to the referee mistake at one of Chelsea’s five goals yesterday. The Wembley apologised for an “honest mistake”. We’ve yet to hear the same from Norris or Fleming.
Creative writing award of the day goes to STV for this gem:
“Dallas, formerly Scotland’s head of referees before leaving his position following controversy over what was considered an offensive e-mail”.
So it might not have been an offensive email after all. ‘Jokes’ portraying individuals or a group of people as having, or sharing guilt, with one, or a small number of, criminal(s) is fertile ground for prejudice to grow. STV should be clear that it is inappropriate and offensive in the workplace.
We have an outstanding original canvass painting of Neil Lennon available for purchase on eBay to kick start our summer charity fundraising. This year the beneficiaries will be Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research, Martin Chambers Foundation and The Neuroblastoma Alliance, Aberdour PS PTA, The Haven, Blantyre. The painting, by US based artist, Joseph Gormley, is an outstanding memento of our manager during these times.
208 Comments- Pages:
- «
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
Also ‘Guns of Navarone ‘book not as good as ska skinhead moonstomper, by the ole Skatalites.
Anyway,apart from my reply to DB,I’ve just spent the last few minutes taking on board the RTC post from BRT&H.
Anyone else think he knows what he’s talking about,has the proof,and disnae care if someone and his lawyer call him out?
Good on you,my man. A cracking post. Srange,as you say,that these things remain largely unreported in the MSM in Scotland.
I mean,many of us knew about Operation Hornet a long time ago-it’s based around Reading-but it will be news to readers of the Daily Record.
I wonder why……..
Doc is Neil Lennon on 16 April, 2012 at 15:24 said:
Big Nan, I think this copy and paste covers the part where you said we were outplayed, even that Lenny was outsmarted!
“Yesterday was different because though our team was outplayed form much of the game and our young manager was outsmarted by a much more experienced coach we were still in it.”
……………………..
I think Lenny was outsmarted by a more experienced coach who set up his team to defend in the first half and changed it at half time to attack. A tactic that brought immediate results.
However Lenny is learning (he didn’t take of his captain because of our overwhelming superiority) and made three changes that appeared to work. Wanyama Stokes and McGeouch were his counter to Paulo’s Beattie etc subs.
We flattered to decieve in the first half and Hearts must have been pleased at half-time.
But you and the poster you speak for are making a straw-man to suit your own ends. My point was that when the game was even we were cheated.
That was my entire thrust. A point you and your client seem to ignore completely with your mantra about criticising the team.
The opposable thumb is news to readers of the Daily Record.
Bobby Russell now thats a right hun name .you better not say what i was thinking.part time supporters every single one of use on here .me i am a honest celtic supporter , i hate when my opinions on here are that of a rangers supporter. i can assure im not , Voguepunter i passed your pub on main st in rutherglen ,i was going to come in and buy you a pint,but on second thoughts i said no i am the last person you would have liked to see .i said its not worth it getting one on the chin.
new article posted.
If STV had anything to do with my licence fee I’d cancel it!!
PL,please highlight again why Dallas has no (official) position within Scottish football .Thanks.Is it in his remit to criticise clubs/managers?
Declan Declan where for art thou Declan?
!!Bada Bing!! at 15:51
Just saw the highlights of the Doncaster v Portsmouth match and Saunders has every reason to feel aggreived. Neither were penalties and Portsmouth’s equaliser came after their striker palmed the ball into the net with both hands.
Mort
DBBIA 1550
Good to have you back onsite and onside.
I think the last time I gave something up for lent was about 30 years ago.
Smoking.
First Friday night out,I realised I had to give up drinking too-couldnae have a pint without a fag!
I’ll take my chances with the ole Dick Byrne,he has a holier-than-thou,supercilious manner which I find both unpleasant and undesirable.
He also seems to lack the requisite underlying sense of humour otherwise prevalent on here.
But,hey,I could be wrong. Who cares? His opinion is irelevant to me,and mine to him.
C’est la vie….
DBBIA 1558
I don’t think it’s news to them,but other uses for it certainly are.
voguepunter on 16 April, 2012 at 14:13 said:
timbhoy2 on 16 April, 2012 at 14:09 said:
When I’m looking for advice from a dung beetles a-hole,I’ll give you a shout.
——————————————————-
Thanks for the belly laugh Mr V!
HH
wonder what the big breaking news is on sportsound at 6.10
i think it will be something along the lines of refs being too scared to ref Celftic games anymore – or some such nonsense
That Eddi Reader is a lovely looking woman and with a great voice. H.H.
TEST!
Testing
Re:testing