The Burning Question: Do referees favour the big four?
Sunday December 7th, 2008
Are match officials biased towards Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal?
Bolton Wanderers have now lost all four matches against the big four teams in the Premier League this season.
Yet in all four games they have also been on the end of controversial refereeing decisions, including:
- Emmanuel Eboue’s offside goal for Arsenal being allowed to stand.
- Rob Styles awarding a penalty for Jlloyd Samuel’s challenge on Cristiano Ronaldo at Old Trafford.
- Rob Styles (again) disallowing Gary Cahill’s goal against Liverpool.
- Howard Webb failing to spot two handballs by John Terry against Chelsea yesterday.
Does this suggest that Premier League referees are afraid to give big decisions against the big four?
Does the media furore that Alex Ferguson, Rafa Benitez, Phil Scolari and Arsene Wenger are able to kick up when decisions go against their teams make it more difficult for referees?
Would Bolton have picked up points from any of the above games if decisions had gone their way, or would we have lost them regardless?
Tell us your views in the comment box below.
BWFC People, Gary Cahill, Jlloyd Samuel
3 Comments to The Burning Question: Do referees favour the big four?
Of course – otherwise the bookmakers stand to lose a lot of money – particularly in south east asia and the middle east.
freddyfreddyDecember 7, 2008
its so true, it does my head in. Although when we (West Ham) played Liverpool the other day, there were quite a few ball to hand decisions that the referee chose not to give as handball – and if you have ever been to anfield you will know about the pressures of the crowd when it comes to a handball. if not, that joke really won’t be funny!!
stuartDecember 8, 2008
The referees are biased and the media i.e. press, television and Sky who should all have a duty to ensure fairness. We know that the top teams would probably still finish as the top four because they have better players, but the league would be closer and as a result there would be a few more surprise results andmore excitement for the fans. The media have the power and clout to make a differencebut choose not to?
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December 7, 2008