Turkeys Coming Home to Roost?

I'll focus on "that game" between Everton and Liverpool as, like many of you, I was watching the game with a load of other football fans. Let me state that I am an Everton fan, so whilst this is my opinion, I am trying to be as balanced as possible, plus I want to throw open the debate into a wider context. Watching the game with our merry (and occasionally rowdy, but invariably humorous) bunch of Toffees were fans of other clubs ?including some Liverpool fans (all are welcome).

During the first half it was shaping up to be one of those frenetic, action-packed derbies that we've all seen down the years (and I've been to many at Goodison, Anfield and Wembley). But in the first half I felt that the referee was giving most of the 50:50 decisions to Liverpool (by definition, they should be evenly distributed).

For a lot of neutrals, what should have been a "trademark" Merseyside derby was ruined by a number of controversial decisions by Clattenburg. I won't quote the rules as you can trawl the Internet and find them on the FA website.

Controversy 1
The foul by Hibbert on Gerrard which led to a penalty, and the subsequent sending off of Hibbert. Having watched this repeatedly, and in slow motion ? the contact started outside the area with Gerrard grabbing the front of Hibbert's shirt (out of sight of the referee), and Hibbert then grabbing Gerrard's. Six of one, half a dozen of the other. Then, as soon as Gerrard gets into the area, his right leg then goes from under him, and he goes to ground, with Hibbert falling also. But Hibbert never actually makes contact with his right leg. Simulation? Maybe. You can understand why Clattenburg gives it given his position is behind the two players.

Clattenburg then pulls the yellow card out of the pocket in his shorts to book Hibbert. Gerrard walks past, and clearly mouths to the referee words to the effect of "I was going to shoot". Clattenburg then puts the yellow card back into his pocket in his shorts and produces the red from his breast pocket.

Controversy 2
The challenge by Dirk Kuyt on Phil Neville. Clattenburg clearly saw it as a foul, as he elected to book the player. If he saw it, then why he didn't see it as a two-footed challenge which is an automatic red card, according to the rules he has to enforce, only he can explain. You may point out there was no actual contact, but actually the rules state intent. Plus, if you were Phil Neville, would you think "I'll stand here and let him go through me so he gets a red, and I'm out of the game for months"?

Controversy 3
In the last seconds of the game Joleon Lescott is pulled backwards to the ground by Jamie Carragher, who clearly has both arms around him. At this stage Liverpool are 2-1 up with Neville having been (rightly of course) sent off for handball on the line. Clattenburg was up with play, had an excellent view and clearly decided it wasn't a penalty.

There were other incidents I've not gone into ? including the Finnan-Lescott penalty claim earlier in the second half, and the fact that there appeared to be a handball by a Liverpool player in the build up to the second penalty and sending off. I won't discuss Gerrard's shaking of Clattenburg's hand as he was subbed ? other than to say I wouldn't have been surprised if they'd exchanged hugs!

The only crumb of comfort I've been able to take from all of this was the criticism of the behaviour of players, the officiating of the referee and his assistants that has come from all sections of the media ? both in Asia and, amazingly, in the "Big 4-obsessed" media in the UK. I also took solace with the dignified reaction from David Moyes. Compare that with the comments from Benitez afterwards (and previous comments) which have even riled some of the hardcore Liverpool supporters I know ? the man doesn't know the history behind the two clubs, and the derby matches!

Really, my point in all of this is that with there being so much more money in the game, and with the now global broadcasting, is there not a danger that this sort of thing could blow up in the faces of the FA?

Imagine a situation where a club fails to qualify for Europe, or worse gets relegated, due to the inexplicable performance of officials during a game. The cost in revenue terms to the clubs could be enormous. Factor in players wanting to move on because the club didn't qualify for Europe / got relegated etc. and you can see how it mushrooms. The G14 (which is actually 17 clubs) is only interested in looking after the interests of its membership ? not the game. There are 16 other teams in the BPL ? all of whom aspire to doing as well as they can, and on a level playing field.

I know for a lot of fans, the result is all that matters ? and ultimately that's what the records will show. But to their credit, a number of Liverpool fans have told me (and also my folks tell me that it's similar back in Liverpool itself) that it was not the way to win a derby game. For those that don't care about anything other than 3 points ? you're right. A victory is a victory, no matter how hollow.

So what of Mr Clattenburg? Well the papers report he's been given the weekend off. Okay, so that's all settled then. A pity no-one mentioned it to Mr Graham Poll, who when speaking on national radio yesterday in the UK, pointed out that as Clattenburg is on roster for a Uefa Cup tie this Thursday, he's off roster for the weekend anyway.

So I guess the FA (and don't lose sight of the constitution of the directors at Soho Square) has done what they always do ? Sweet FA. We know it'll happen again, and maybe your team will be on the receiving end (or the beneficiaries). Yet again it will be seen by millions globally, wondering what is happening to the game.

All we ask is that referees are consistent. Mark Clattenburg most certainly was consistent on Saturday!

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