Martinez has no issue with Taylor as Wembley ref

, 18 April, 34comments  |  Jump to most recent

Roberto Martinez has played down the potential flap over the appointment of referee Anthony Taylor as the referee for next weekend's FA Cup semi-final.

Citing the precedent of Tottenham supporters successfully campaigning to have Kevin Friend removed as the match official for their match against Stoke City because of his affiliation with title rivals Leicester, some Evertonians have questioned the decision to have the Mancunian Taylor take charge in the Blues' clash with Manchester United.

Martinez rejects, however, the idea that the integrity of Taylor or any other English official should be questioned.

“When I first came in the British game I was little bit surprised that referees were asked about the teams that they support. I think it's a cultural thing not to allow them to referee the teams that they support. That doesn't happen in other countries.

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“In Spain, it depends on the region. Every region has it's own refereeing schools and obviously in that region you cannot referee the teams that are in that region but nobody wants to know if you support a team outside of your region.

“I think referees are just judged on whether they are [impartial] and that the integrity is there.

“I just don't there is a question of the integrity of our officials in this country; it's probably cleaner than in any other country so I don't think there's an issue in that.“

 

Reader Comments (34)

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Tony Abrahams
1 Posted 18/04/2016 at 18:42:08
I'd heard that Kevin Friend was due to referee the Stoke v Spurs match tonight, until people pointed out that with him being from Leicestershire, he might be unfavourable to Spurs.

I genuinely feel that Anthony Taylor hates Everton, and with him being form Greater Manchester, we should put in a similar objection, especially with a precedent now set.

I'm aware that this sort of thing can back-fire, but with this man's previous when refereeing Everton, it's a chance I feel we must try and take. If Taylor was from Knowsley, do you think that Man Utd wouldn't object?

William Colman
2 Posted 18/04/2016 at 18:48:54
This is not Spain, could you see Mike Dean getting an Everton or RS game?
Paul Andrews
3 Posted 18/04/2016 at 18:57:05
Tony,

I read at the weekend that Taylor lives 2 miles from Old Trafford.

Not sure if that is true. Imagine if them across the park were in our position.
Do you imagine they would allow that?

John Keating
4 Posted 18/04/2016 at 19:02:59
Years ago ,we would never have even mentioned this. everyone would go the match and the result would be what it was. Then in the 60s - 70s things started to become a bit skew-whiff, then Clive Thomas etc. The most blatant thing I ever saw was that fuckwit Clattenburg and how he was allowed ever again to ref was, in my opinion, phenomenal and in a moment, unbelievable, to quote a person we know.

Taylor is a prick and unfortunately Bob will see us fuck up without his help. Let's be honest, if any of us were refs, can we honestly say we would be impartial?

If I was the ref the other day at Leicester, Vardy would have got the pen and 5 others and West Ham would have finished with 9 men.

Ged Simpson
5 Posted 18/04/2016 at 19:16:31
Threat of complaint followed by compliment. That may work better than out and out criticism. Refs get a lot of shit and you can bet a replacement would not be better as he felt allegiance for his colleague.
John Davies
6 Posted 18/04/2016 at 19:18:29
The referee is not important on Saturday. Martinez and the players need to do their job - something none of them has done recently - and we will be OK.

If we get the perfect week we'll beat the shites, beat the Mancs and the Spaniard gets the sack regardless. Oh but then no, Luvvie Bill will make sure that doesn't happen.
Colin Glassar
7 Posted 18/04/2016 at 19:23:11
This could lead to mayhem if we are allowed to pick and choose our refs. Now I believe the majority of refs in this country are rubbish (a perfect example was Mason yesterday) and I also believe a few of them are morally bent ie they favour the richer clubs, but if we start saying "I want this one, I don't like that one" this will just lead to anarchy.

Taylor is one of the worst in my book but he shouldn't be used as an excuse for failure.

Rob Halligan
9 Posted 18/04/2016 at 19:26:29
The shite would never have a game again, Colin. Every referee either supports or favours them.
Colin Glassar
10 Posted 18/04/2016 at 19:31:20
I hear you Rob, unfortunately it's something we, as a club, can't control unless we are prepared to get into trouble with the FA.
Ged Simpson
11 Posted 18/04/2016 at 19:39:27
I am worried we may be searching for excuses as we worry. I just have a feeling we may not need them for once
Tony Abrahams
12 Posted 18/04/2016 at 19:47:51
Paul, if this is true, then it's a really disgraceful decision. I don't know how people can say the refs not important, because he's the most powerful man on the pitch.

Games are sometimes, won and lost because of bad decisions, and it's no use moaning after the event, because it's way too late by then.

I would sooner have Clattenberg, than Taylor, and I find this decision to have a ref from Greater Manchester, so controversial. I really can't understand why The FA can make such a ridiculous decision, and I'm equally bemused why Everton have just accepted it.

Dave Ganley
13 Posted 18/04/2016 at 19:52:14
I agree Colin... blaming refs before we have even kicked off doesnt bode well. If we play well enough, manage to actually defend competently enough and find a way to attack with competence then it shouldn't be an issue.

Really gets on my nerves blaming refs all the time. Sure they may make some bad decisions but that's just human error. If we do our job properly then no need to worry about the ref.

Ray Robinson
14 Posted 18/04/2016 at 19:54:12
As I said on another thread, Mike Riley was famed for giving Man Utd penalties at Old Trafford but he denied them a stonewall pen against us in the semi-final in 2009. For all we know, Taylor might favour Man City and subconsciously favour us on Saturday.

If he is indeed a poor referee, this could work as much in favour of us as Man Utd. I believe we have far more worrying concerns (i.e. the manager, the form of the players) than to fret over what the ref might or not do to us.

Tony Abrahams
15 Posted 18/04/2016 at 20:03:16
He lives two miles from Old Trafford? Well he's going to have to be a very brave man, to give ANYTHING CONTENTIOUS, in Everton's favour.
Kev Johnson
16 Posted 18/04/2016 at 20:40:32
We need to lodge a complaint to the FA, FFS. Kick us when we're down. How's he getting there, on the Manc's team bus?
Kevin Judge
17 Posted 18/04/2016 at 20:51:49
Come on, lads. It's a very important week for our club. I don't care if Paul Scholes is the ref, we have got to go out and give it to them.

The manager and the players owe us that. No excuses now, roll those sleeves up and put a proper shift in.

COYB. Let's get behind our team and whatever the fall-out or moans, leave that 'till Sunday. NSNO, School of Science or the Dogs of War... our players should go out and battle till the end for us the fans who deserve that.

Never mind Martinez, Kenwright, Moshiri. You as players should be doing it for the best fans in the land. FACT!

Declan Brown
18 Posted 18/04/2016 at 20:56:29
Well let's wait and see if we get screwed over by him first. Typical Everton luck isn't it?

The young guy, Oliver I think he's called is a great ref. Mason was shocking at Leicester (I've been waiting for the ref's to derail Leicester's title charge, I really do hope they do win it).

Who's refereeing the Derby? Don't tell me it's Clattenberg? Now that would be our luck wouldn't it?

Going to remain positive for both games, well hoping we do the business, don't care if it's a wicked deflection in the 90th minute to steal it for us in both games, that'll do for me.

If it goes all wrong, Roberto will get it with every barrel, but until then it's hope and pray time!

Paul O'Neill
19 Posted 18/04/2016 at 21:08:14
Well I live in Manchester, grew up in Manchester, and live about 5 miles from Old Trafford. I'm also a season ticket holder in the Upper Gwladys and have watched Everton for over 20 years. I'm going to Wembley (from Manchester – horror!) on Saturday. But obviously I hate Everton really and want United to win.

Stop being silly folks – it makes Evertonians look rather small and parochial.

Paul Birmingham
20 Posted 18/04/2016 at 21:42:46
In as a bad a season as it could get, let's take the medicine and get on with the job in hand and play these feckin' games with pride, spirit and guts.. If we believe we can do, we will, but if we think we can't, we won't. As in life sometimes it's easy to be transcended by the negativity that does abound around EFC, at the moment, and myself included, having got to the point of losing faith in EFC.

I'm hoping for some good surprises, this week. If we we turn up in both games, then that would be good, and if we can take a result from the RS, then who knows,what Saturday will bring EFC. The nature of both games, means that the teams have got to be 100% up for a fight and long battle. Skill is needed but mental strength and will power in heaps are needed in the tool bag.

The Evertonians will never fail the team, and I'm hoping for the best win double pay out in recent times. NB I'm not deluded, and this is not a phenomenal vision, just a defiant Evertonian, haranguing for some much welcome good results. All the Best for this week to all Evertonians, where ever you may be.
Rob Halligan
22 Posted 18/04/2016 at 22:42:57
For anyone who doesn't know, Robert Madley is the referee on Wednesday. Can't say I know too much about him?
Rob Dixon
23 Posted 18/04/2016 at 23:02:13
I don't know exactly where Taylor lives, but I sometimes see him in M & S in Altrincham on a Sunday morning. He has also given presentations at my daughters school in the town, so I am guessing he lives here... somewhere!!

We are not 2 miles from OT and I believe he follows Altrincham FC!!! I don't know if he follows Man City or Man Utd also. Hope that brings a little perspective. Whoever is the ref, they are pretty much useless. The standard this season is appalling and that in my opinion is across the whole league.

Mick Davies
24 Posted 19/04/2016 at 03:21:09
Paul @ 19 I couldn't give a monkeys rump where he lives, it's just that every time he refs us, he invariably gives terrible decisions in favour of our opponents eg, Cardiff, Villa (not Man Utd – yet).

If RM's memory can't stretch back to his first season with us, I suggest he goes to the club shop and gets the DVD; then he would really have an excuse to protest at this biased baldy twat being on the same pitch as our team

Alan J Thompson
25 Posted 19/04/2016 at 05:04:23
Why would Everton object to a referee's appointment when they wouldn't object to being kicked out of European competition because of another club's behaviour.
Tony Abrahams
27 Posted 19/04/2016 at 08:24:37
Maybe something to do with MBEs, Alan.

Paul (#19), you think that makes us small? Why? You obviously watch Everton, so do you not realise how badly, we have been treated by Anthony Taylor down the years?

I sometimes wonder if a few Evertonian have terrorised him on a train or somewhere else because, other than the penalty against West Ham (after sending off Mirallas), I've never, ever seen him give us a decision.

I honestly think that Man Utd, would have something to say if the ref was from Sefton, or Knowsley, Paul... and there are not many bigger clubs than them in world football.

Mark Andersson
28 Posted 19/04/2016 at 08:59:45
Martinez is playing this one to his advantage. He has used every excuse in the book this season. If we get beat by the mancs I just hope that the ref has a good game.

Otherwise Bobby will weild out another excuse.

Anton Garvey
29 Posted 19/04/2016 at 11:56:27
Ray Robinson [#14],

I agree with you that was a stonewall penalty and Alex danced on the line... don't you remember Moyes objected to having Mike Riley as the ref? We still got him but who knows what went through Riley's mind.

Martinez is too nice to complain... too clueless to be Everton's manager.

Osman Captain... enough said.

Liam Reilly
30 Posted 19/04/2016 at 12:32:26
I'd be more worried if he lived in London as that's where most of their supporters are from. He's more likely a Man City fan coming from there.

But as said above; we'll probably fuck it up royally without his help.

Jim Hardin
31 Posted 19/04/2016 at 13:17:22
I think Roberto has actually handled this correctly. He has pointed out the possible bias and by doing so has put it into Taylor's head that everyone will be watching and thinking about favorable calls for Man Utd. He may actually be more biased in favor of Everton as a result. He is a horrible ref though, so lack of talent will play a larger part in this game than bias.

Over here, Phil Jackson, one of our great NBA coaches (Bulls, Lakers) routinely would point out things he didn't think the refs would get right or had missed the previous game in the playoffs. He did it just to influence them for the next game to call or not to call fouls in his team's favor.

Alan J Thompson
33 Posted 19/04/2016 at 15:01:11
Tony(27); That would have involved crystal ball gazing. No, that's the Masons, isn't it.
Ray Robinson
34 Posted 19/04/2016 at 15:08:19
Anton (#29),

Moyes got inside Mike Riley's head no doubt but didn't object to his appointment as far as I can remember. That's a subtle difference. I have no issue with Martinez trying the reverse psychology trick by pointing out Taylor's previous poor decisions that went against us – but I don't think it's worth formally complaining about his officiating the game. There is no evidence as far as I can see that he favours United.

Rob Baker
35 Posted 19/04/2016 at 15:09:58
Matt Traynor
36 Posted 19/04/2016 at 17:54:57
I think the Premier League make a rod for their own back with their appointments. By appointing certain refs almost exclusively for the "big" games, they tacitly are admitting that standards aren't consistent. Some of these "poorer" refs won't improve unless they experience the pressure of the big games, knowing they're being watched by 100s of millions of people around the world.

And there have been referees who have actually progressed in my view. Michael Oliver is one.

Can't think of any others offhand mind.

Damian Braithwaite
37 Posted 19/04/2016 at 21:09:35
Says that Taylor is from Wythenshawe on BBC sport website and that he supports Altringham. Wythenshaew is a hot bed of City and United supporters. Would he have gave Altringham as his allegiance so he could officiate his local derby?
Tony Abrahams
38 Posted 20/04/2016 at 11:35:30
Don't know Alan, but you are correct, we definitely should have fought that ban.

Damien, you might be right but I saw Taylor ref United at Bournemouth earlier in the season,and he never gave them anything either.

Why is it wrong to ask a ref who they supported when they were younger? Because very few people get into any sport without having a particular favourite.

Some refs definitely have an agenda, like Liverpool getting 3 pens, in one game at Old Trafford as soon as Ferguson left.


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