The Mail Bag
Mike Riley - FA's 'Official' Response
Comments (28)
I've telephoned The FA today to ask why Steve Bennett was replaced by Mike Riley for the game on Sunday. The official response is that Steve Bennett is injured and therefore unable to take part.
I asked whether or not it would be customary under such circumstances for the 4th Official (Alan Wiley, I believe) to take over however I was informed that this is not always the case.
I went on to ask that if, as is widely believed by the football fan community, Mike Riley is a Manchester United supported and has, in the past been accused of showing bias toward United, how can he be deemed to be an impartial referee. The response was that this is merely conjecture and 'hearsay' and that there is no evidence to suggest any affinity between Riley and United.
Finally, I asked whether or not The FA planned to make any official announcement to explain why the referee was changed. They said that they had no plans to do so.
The telephone number for the FA Customer Relations line is 020 7745 4545 - just in case anyone was interested in asking any further questions.
Cheers!
Peter Wilson, Posted 16/04/2009 at 12:25:24
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I can?t really think of any refs that are favourable to us, in fact most don?t seem to like us, so we would probably be moaning whoever it was.
They were bound to say that rumours Riley support United was conjecture, because until now, that’s all they have ever been.
Besides, Wiley is about the only referee worse than Riley. No way would I want him in charge. So I’m glad he’s still 4th official, though I can see him struggling to stop Ferguson and Moyes exchanging a spat or two when Hibbert takes out the Gelled Tumbler.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/e/everton/8002851.stm
I also would applaud his actions in banning the BBC for their blatant hatchet job on Fellaini. Interesting he took quite a whack in the mouth himself from a flailing arm a couple of weeks ago. On that occasion, the ref brushed aside his protests. No after-match scrutiny and footage conveniently omitted from the BBC analysis last week. It will be interesting to see if this becomes a weekly slot targeting misdemeanors of selected Sky 4 personalities... I very much doubt it.
Have our odds improved since Riley's appointment? The bookies are not stupid and usually have a little inside info to work with ? hence the lengthening of the odds!!!
Where is the evidence that Mike Riley supports Man United? Were is the evidence that he has been biased towards Man United in the past? If you don?t have any, stop wasting people's time.
It seriously makes me embarrassed to be associated with idiots like you, coming up with excuses before a ball has been kicked. Get a grip.
In the case of Mike Riley they say he is one of their best and totally unbiased. So there is nothing to worry about eh?..
That said, the level of "punditry" in the media is bordering on pathetic in terms of bias. All part of the "media revolution" we are subjected to.
A contact in the US media told me he asked the British media why they bigged up a particular "sports/showbiz" couple, only to knock them down? (Beckhams) The answer was negativity sells papers. Sad but true.
PS ? Peter, you could?ve bloody asked about Clive Thomas disallowing Brian Hamilton?s goal in the 77 Semi??
We will winn on Saturday and beat Chelsea in the Final. However, we will need to play for 98 mins without losing concentration and must try not to give silly free kicks away around the box. Also, let's hope Pip clatters Ronaldo again, you won?t see the crying bastard after that.
He gets more like his counterpart in the opposite dugout everyday.... Well done, boss. TOP BLOKE!
I think our name is on the cup this year and that it won't matter who is in charge or what team Man U put out, we?ll win it ? be it a lucky win or an amazing performance. I truly believe that this year is our year, god we have waited long enough!
Good on Moyes for playing the likes of Fergie at his own game though! Refs can be influenced, as we found out with fat Sam's comments about Cahill not so long back, Tim could barely touch the ball without the whistle ringing in his ears in that game!
As for the media, they are now portraying Moyes as a whinger, crying about his percieved bias, whilst everyone knows it was a journalist who raised the question of Riley?s alleged allegiance to Man U.
I wonder if Riley was the original choice, and they used Bennett as a smokescreen, because they haven?t divulged the nature of his illness or injury, but you can bet your bottom dollar he will be in charge of a match soon after the Semi.
If you want an insight into how the media works try and catch Charlie Brookers Newswipe on BBC4, it?s satire but it has a lot to say about the ugly side of the media.
I'm goin for a 1-0 Cahill header.
Every week, time and time again your hear Ferguson, Wenger, Benitez and co playing the media, using them to highlight issues which will in turn benefit their club.
Now Moyes is following suit. First with his referrals to Gerrard and his influence over refs, and the general pro-Liverpool bias in derbies. It resulted in a fairer display by the ref as he new the splotlight was on him.
Now with Riley. I believe 2 years ago Moyes wouldn't have said anything. Now he does, and if Riley makes any obvious pro-Utd decisions it will be highlighted and the cause of much discusssion. Riley, will have to play fair.
This has been going on for years, the questions were asked in 2004:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2004/nov/03/theknowledge.sport
I’ll be at Wembley on Sunday and I can’t wait, i’m convinced this is our year, Riley or no Riley.
COYB !!
The spotlight on his decisions for the game will now be MASSIVE, if he drops a bollock or caves in to Man U players surrounding him, he’s going to look an even bigger prick than he normally does.
COYB
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1 Posted 16/04/2009 at 16:58:03
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