REF REVIEW ARSENAL – NORWICH: interesting observations or just coincidence

ARSENAL vs. NORWICH CITY

  • COMPETITION: English Premier League
  • MATCH NO. 36
  • DATE: 30th April 2016
  • VENUE: Emirates Stadium (London, England)

MATCH OFFICIALS:

REFEREE: Mike Jones
1st LINESMAN: Richard West
2nd LINESMAN: Mark Scholes
4th OFFICIAL: Kevin Friend

First Half

Fouls, Advantages, Cards, and Penalties

Time Foul by Foul For Description & Decision Points
01:48 Cameron Jerome (Norwich) Aaron Ramsey (Arsenal) Jerome slightly charged in to Ramsey from behind and tripped him. This should have been a foul for Arsenal but was not given.

NO FOUL FOR ARSENAL.

-1 (FOUL)

 

06:40 Aaron Ramsey (Arsenal) Wes Hoolahan (Norwich) Ramsey pushed Hoolahan from behind.

CORRECT FOUL FOR NORWICH.

1 (FOUL)

 

12:20 Alexis Sanchez (Arsenal) Nathan Redmond (Norwich) Sanchez tripped Redmond inside the Arsenal’s half.

CORRECT FOUL FOR NORWICH.

1 (FOUL)

 

24:25 Sebastien Bassong (Norwich) Olivier Giroud (Arsenal) Bassong tripped Giroud from behind inside the Norwich’s half. This should have been a foul for Arsenal but was not given.

NO FOUL FOR ARSENAL.

-1 (FOUL)

 

35:45 Nathan Redmond (Norwich) Mesut Ozil (Arsenal) Redmond was holding and tugging Ozil from the side.

CORRECT FOUL FOR ARSENAL.

1 (FOUL)

 

38:35 Mesut Ozil (Arsenal) Russell Martin (Norwich) Ozil moved back in to Martin and blocked his jump.

CORRECT FOUL FOR NORWICH.

1 (FOUL)
40:05 Mohamed El Nenny (Arsenal) Nathan Redmond (Norwich) Redmond was running forward with the ball when El Nenny chased him from the front and got near him. Redmond dribbled past El Nenny. El Nenny made no contact at all. But the referee gave a foul against Arsenal. This should not have a foul against Arsenal.

WRONG FOUL AGAINST ARSENAL.

-1 (FOUL)

 

44:45 Mohamed El Nenny (Arsenal) Johnny Howson (Norwich) Slight trip from El Nenny.

CORRECT FOUL FOR NORWICH.

1 (FOUL)

 

45:35 Sebastien Bassong (Norwich) Olivier Giroud (Arsenal) Bassong challenged for a header by raising his elbow and hitting Giroud on the face. The referee correctly called a foul.

 

But this should have been a yellow card against Bassong for committing a reckless foul. But no yellow card was given.

 

LAW 12 FOULS AND MISCONDUCT PAGE 119

“Reckless” means that the player has acted with complete disregard to the danger to, or consequences for, his opponent.

• A player who plays in a reckless manner must be cautioned

 

CORRECT FOUL FOR ARSENAL.

NO YELLOW CARD AGAINST BASSONG.

1 (FOUL)

-2 (YELLOW CARD)

 

   
Number of Correct Fouls for Arsenal – 2

Number of Correct Fouls for Norwich – 4

Total Number of Correct Fouls – 6 [6 points]

 

Number of Incorrect Fouls against Arsenal – 3

Number of Incorrect Fouls against Norwich – 0

Total Number of Incorrect Fouls – 3 [3 points]

 

Number of Correct Yellow Cards for Arsenal – 0

Number of Correct Yellow Cards for Norwich – 0

Total Number of Correct Yellow Cards – 0

Number of Incorrect Yellow Cards against Arsenal – 1

Number of Incorrect Yellow Cards against Norwich – 0

Total Number of Incorrect Yellow Cards – 1 [2 points]

 

Offsides

Time Player Offside Defending Player Description & Decision Points
02:36 Cameron Jerome (Norwich) Per Mertesacker (Arsenal) Jerome was level onside with Mertesacker. Assistant Ref Mark Scholes made the wrong call.

WRONG OFFSIDE AGAINST NORWICH.

-1 (OFFSIDE)
25:33 Olivier Giroud (Arsenal) Sebastien Bassong (Norwich) Giroud was in an offside position. Assistant Ref Richard West made the correct call.

CORRECT OFFSIDE FOR NORWICH.

1 (OFFSIDE)
29:08 Olivier Giroud (Arsenal) Sebastien Bassong (Norwich) No replay or live footage shown. Assumed Correct. Assistant Ref Richard West made the correct call.

CORRECT OFFSIDE FOR NORWICH.

1 (OFFSIDE)
Number of Correct Offsides for Arsenal – 0

Number of Correct Offsides for Norwich – 2

Total Number of Correct Offsides – 2 [2 points]

Number of Incorrect Offsides against Arsenal – 0

Number of Incorrect Offsides against Norwich –  1

Total Number of Incorrect Offsides –  1 [1 points]

 

First Half Referee Report

Total Number of Correct Decisions for Arsenal – 2

Total Number of Correct Decisions for Norwich  – 4+2 = 6

Total Number of Correct Decisions = 2 + 6 = 8

 

AFTER POINTS HAVE BEEN WEIGHTED

 

Total Number of Correct Decisions (Weighted) for Arsenal – 2

Total Number of Correct Decisions (Weighted) for Norwich – 4+2 = 6

Total Number of Correct Decisions (Weighted) = 2 + 6 = 8

 

Total Number of Incorrect Decisions against Arsenal – 3+1 = 4

Total Number of Incorrect Decisions against Norwich –  1

Total Number of Incorrect Decisions = 4 + 1 = 5

 

AFTER POINTS HAVE BEEN WEIGHTED

 

Total Number of Incorrect Decisions (Weighted) against Arsenal – 3+2 = 5

Total Number of Incorrect Decisions (Weighted) against Norwich –  1

Total Number of Incorrect Decisions (Weighted) = 5 + 1 = 6

 

 

 

First Half Correct Decision Percentage = Total Correct Decisions / Total Decisions (Correct + Incorrect) 8/(8+5) = 61.5%

 

First Half Correct Decision Percentage (WEIGHTED) = Total Correct Decisions / Total Decisions (Correct + Incorrect) =  8/(8+6) = 57.1%

Second Half

Fouls, Advantages, Cards, and Penalties

Time Foul by Foul For Description & Decision Points
47:36 Russell Martin (Norwich) Mesut Ozil (Arsenal) Martin pulled Ozil from the side by pulling his left sleeve of the shirt. This should have been a foul for Arsenal but no foul was given.

NO FOUL FOR ARSENAL.

-1 (FOUL)

 

48:42 Cameron Jerome (Norwich) Per Mertesacker (Arsenal) Jerome jumped forward for a header, missed it and fell on the back of Mertesacker, carrying his momentum. This should have been a foul for Arsenal but no foul was given.

NO FOUL FOR ARSENAL.

-1 (FOUL)

 

50:40 Gary O’Neil (Norwich) Olivier Giroud (Arsenal) Slightly pulling of shoulder from behind by O’Neil on Giroud.

CORRECT FOUL FOR ARSENAL.

1 (FOUL)

 

60:52 Gary O’Neil (Norwich) Bassong cleared the ball away inside the box, which struck the chest of O’Neil and then deflected on to his hand.

 

The following law below will be used to establish a decision.

 

LAW 12 FOULS AND MISCONDUCT PAGE 121

Handling the Ball

Handling the ball involves a deliberate act of a player making contact with the ball with his hand or arm. The referee must take the following into consideration:

1. The movement of the hand towards the ball (not the ball towards the hand)

2. The distance between the opponent and the ball (unexpected ball)

3.The position of the hand does not necessarily mean that there is an infringement

4. Touching the ball with an object held in the hand (clothing, shinguard, etc.) counts as an infringement

5. Hitting the ball with a thrown object (boot, shinguard, etc.) counts as an infringement

 

1- There was no movement of the hand towards the ball. O’Neil clearly tried to move his hands from ball.

2- The distance was 4-6 meters.

3- The hands were in an unnatural (slightly away from body) position. This was due O’Neil avoiding the ball being cleared.

4- No object was used.

5- No object was thrown.

 

The key here is that O’Neil was trying to avoid the ball and then it hits his chest and which then unintentionally hits hand. Taking this in to consideration, the referee made a correct decision not to give a penalty.

CORRECT NON-PENALTY DECISION FOR NORWICH.

3 (NON-PENALTY)

 

62:50 Johnny Howson (Norwich) Mohamed El Nenny (Arsenal) Just as El Nenny was about to control the ball Howson came charging in with a late sliding tackle, with studs showing. Howson made slight contact on El Nenny’s boot. El Nenny was quick to pull his leg back from Howson’s follow through. The referee correctly called a foul.

 

But this should have been a yellow card at least against Howson for committing a highly reckless foul. Had El Nenny not pulled back his foot, it would have been a serious injury and a red card worthy foul. But no cards were given.

 

LAW 12 FOULS AND MISCONDUCT PAGE 119

“Reckless” means that the player has acted with complete disregard to the danger to, or consequences for, his opponent.

• A player who plays in a reckless manner must be cautioned

 

CORRECT FOUL FOR ARSENAL.

NO YELLOW CARD AGAINST HOWSON.

1 (FOUL)

-2 (YELLOW CARD)

 

67:36 Gary O’Neil (Norwich) Olivier Giroud (Arsenal) Giroud had his arm being pulled by O’Neil.

CORRECT FOUL FOR ARSENAL.

1 (FOUL)

 

74:02 Johnny Howson (Norwich) Petr Cech (Arsenal) Cech was being held and blocked by Howson, when he trying to come out forward to save the corner.

CORRECT FOUL FOR ARSENAL.

1 (FOUL)

 

84:11 Mesut Ozil (Arsenal) Gary O’Neil (Norwich) While trying to control the ball Ozil raised his foot very high, up to head level. O’Neil who came running in head first, caught it slightly. This was a clear act of playing in a dangerous manner. At the same moment Ozil showed dissent towards the referee’s decision. Taking this in to account Ozil correct booked with a final warning.

 

LAW 12 FOULS AND MISCONDUCT PAGE 122

Playing in a Dangerous Manner

Disciplinary sanctions

• If a player plays in a dangerous manner in a “normal” challenge, the referee should not take any disciplinary action. If the action is made with obvious risk of injury, the referee should caution the player

 

CORRECT FOUL FOR NORWICH.

CORRECT YELLOW CARD AGAINST OZIL.

1 (FOUL)

2 (YELLOW CARD)

 

85:18 Gabriel Paulista (Arsenal) Steven Naismith (Norwich) Gabriel charged in with a header and missed it, resulting in a follow through collision with Naismith.

CORRECT FOUL FOR NORWICH.

1 (FOUL)

 

87:15 Dieumerci Mbokani (Norwich) Nacho Monreal (Arsenal) Both players looked to chase after the open ball inside the Arsenal’s half, when Nacho Monreal charged in to Mbokani from the side which caused Mbokani to fall and trip Monreal in the process. This should have been a foul for Norwich as it was Monreal who was first to commit the foul not Mbokani. But then the referee wrongly gave a foul against Norwich.

WRONG FOUL AGAINST NORWICH.

NO FOUL FOR NORWICH.

-1 (FOUL)

-1 (FOUL)

 

88:31 Gabriel Paulista (Arsenal) Cameron Jerome (Norwich) Gabriel held Jerome by the hand inside the Arsenal’s half while Jerome waiting for the ball to bounce. This should have been a foul for Norwich but no foul was given.

NO FOUL FOR NORWICH.

-1 (FOUL)

 

89:35 Johnny Howson (Norwich) Francis Coquelin (Arsenal) Howson tripped Coquelin but Arsenal kept possession of the ball and moved forward.

CORRECT ADVANTAGE PLAYED FOR ARSENAL.

1 (ADVANTAGE)

 

93:27 Danny Welbeck (Arsenal) Johnny Howson (Arsenal) Welbeck made a sliding tackle on Howson but tripped Howson slightly before getting the ball.

CORRECT FOUL FOR NORWICH.

1 (FOUL)

 

   
Number of Correct Fouls for Arsenal – 4

Number of Correct Fouls for Norwich – 3

Total Number of Correct Fouls – 7 [7 points]

 

Number of Incorrect Fouls against Arsenal – 2

Number of Incorrect Fouls against Norwich – 3

Total Number of Incorrect Fouls – 5 [5 points]

 

Number of Correct Advantages for Arsenal – 1

Number of Correct Advantages for Norwich – 0

Total Number of Correct Advantages – 1 [1 points]

 

Number of Incorrect Advantages against Arsenal – 0

Number of Incorrect Advantages against Norwich – 0

Total Number of Incorrect Advantages – 0

Number of Correct Yellow Cards for Arsenal – 0

Number of Correct Yellow Cards for Norwich – 1

Total Number of Correct Yellow Cards – 1 [2 points]

Number of Incorrect Yellow Cards against Arsenal – 1

Number of Incorrect Yellow Cards against Norwich – 0

Total Number of Incorrect Yellow Cards – 1 [1 points]

 

Number of Correct Penalties for Arsenal – 0

Number of Correct Penalties for Norwich – 1

Total Number of Correct Penalties – 1 [3 points]

 

Number of Incorrect Penalties against Arsenal – 0

Number of Incorrect Penalties against Norwich – 0

Total Number of Incorrect Penalties – 0

Offsides

Time Player Offside Defending Player Description & Decision Points
74:22 Olivier Giroud (Arsenal) Russell Martin (Norwich) No replay or live footage shown. Assumed Correct. Assistant Ref Mark Scholes made the correct call.

CORRECT OFFSIDE FOR NORWICH.

1 (OFFSIDE)
94:08 Dieumerci Mbokani (Norwich) Gabriel Paulista (Arsenal) Mbokani was in offside position. Assistant Ref Richard West made the correct call.

CORRECT OFFSIDE FOR ARSENAL.

1 (OFFSIDE)
Number of Correct Offsides for Arsenal – 1

Number of Correct Offsides for Norwich – 1

Total Number of Correct Offsides – 2 [2 points]

Number of Incorrect Offsides against Arsenal – 0

Number of Incorrect Offsides against Norwich –  0

Total Number of Incorrect Offsides – 0

Goals

Time Goal Scorer Description & Decision Points
58:32 Danny Welbeck (Arsenal) Clean goal by Welbeck.

CORRECT GOAL FOR ARSENAL.

3 (GOAL)
Number of Correct Goals for Arsenal – 1

Number of Correct Goals for Norwich – 0

Total Number of Correct Goals – 1 [3 points]

Number of Incorrect Goals against Arsenal – 0

Number of Incorrect Goals against Norwich – 0

Total Number of Incorrect Goals – 0

Goal Kicks, Corners, and Throw-ins

Time Type Last Touch OFF Description & Decision
72:58 Corner John Ruddy Ruddy saved the shot with his fingertips. This should have been a corner for Arsenal but was not given.

NO CORNER FOR ARSENAL.

Number of Incorrect Corners against Arsenal – 1

Number of Incorrect Corners against Norwich – 0

Total Number of Incorrect Corners – 1 [1 points]

 

Second Half Referee Report

Total Number of Correct Decisions for Arsenal – 4+1+1+1 = 7

Total Number of Correct Decisions for Norwich  – 3+1+1+1 = 6

Total Number of Correct Decisions = 7 + 6 = 13

 

AFTER POINTS HAVE BEEN WEIGHTED

 

Total Number of Correct Decisions (Weighted) for Arsenal – 4+1+1+3 = 9

Total Number of Correct Decisions (Weighted) for Norwich – 3+2+3+1 = 9

Total Number of Correct Decisions (Weighted) = 9 + 9 = 18

 

Total Number of Incorrect Decisions against Arsenal – 2+1+1 = 4

Total Number of Incorrect Decisions against Norwich –  3

Total Number of Incorrect Decisions = 4 + 3 = 7

 

AFTER POINTS HAVE BEEN WEIGHTED

 

Total Number of Incorrect Decisions (Weighted) against Arsenal – 2+2+1 = 5

Total Number of Incorrect Decisions (Weighted) against Norwich – 3

Total Number of Incorrect Decisions (Weighted) = 5 + 3 = 8

 

 

Second Half Correct Decision Percentage = Total Correct Decisions / Total Decisions (Correct + Incorrect) 13/(13+7) = 65.0%

 

Second Half Correct Decision Percentage (WEIGHTED) = Total Correct Decisions / Total Decisions (Correct + Incorrect) =  18/(18+8) = 72.0%

 

Full Time (1st Half + 2nd Half) Referee Report

Total Number of Correct Decisions for Arsenal – 2+7 = 9

Total Number of Correct Decisions for Norwich  – 6+6 = 12

Total Number of Correct Decisions = 9 + 12 = 21

 

AFTER POINTS HAVE BEEN WEIGHTED

 

Total Number of Correct Decisions (Weighted) for Arsenal – 2+9 = 11

Total Number of Correct Decisions (Weighted) for Norwich – 6+9 = 15

Total Number of Correct Decisions (Weighted) = 11 + 15 = 26

 

Total Number of Incorrect Decisions against Arsenal – 4+4 = 8

Total Number of Incorrect Decisions against Norwich – 1+3 = 4

Total Number of Incorrect Decisions = 8 + 4 = 12

 

AFTER POINTS HAVE BEEN WEIGHTED

 

Total Number of Incorrect Decisions (Weighted) against Arsenal – 5+5 = 10

Total Number of Incorrect Decisions (Weighted) against Norwich – 1+3 = 4

Total Number of Incorrect Decisions (Weighted) = 10 + 4 = 14

 

 

 

Full Match Correct Decision Percentage = Total Correct Decisions / Total Decisions (Correct + Incorrect) 21/(21+12) = 63.6%

 

Full Match Correct Decision Percentage (WEIGHTED) = Total Correct Decisions / Total Decisions (Correct + Incorrect) =  26/(26+14) = 65.0%

APPENDIX

Key Decisions in the Match Points
Advantage 1
Foul 1
Incorrect Corner 1
Incorrect Goal Kick 1
Incorrect Throw-in 1
Other (Ref Positioning, Injuries, Time Wasting, etc.) 1
Offside 1
Yellow Card 2
Red Card 3
Goal 3
Penalty 3

 

NOTE: FOR ANY WRONG DECISION MADE THERE WILL BE NEGATIVE POINTS AWARDED FOR THAT SPECIFIC KIND OF EVENT.

NOTE: ANY INCORRECT OR WRONG DECISION/NON-DECISION WILL BE HIGHLIGHTED WITH A RED COLOUR.

NOTE: ANY DECISION THAT INVOLVES DOUBT IS HIGHLIGHTED AS BLUE IN COLOR.

NOTE: The word ‘FOR’ is used to show IN FAVOR OF.

BELOW IS THE LINK FOR THE “FIFA LAWS OF THE GAME 2015/2016”. ANY LAW OF THE GAME IS DIRECTLY REFERENCED FROM THIS DOCUMENT.

Mike Jones was the ref for this match. A match that will not be remembered for the high quality of the football and the same can be said about the referee’s performance.

The most important conclusion was that there were no major errors in this game. But that is the most positive thing we can say about the ref.

A match that wasn’t really dirty but still more than enough things were missed by the ref. The most important one probably the non booking of Bassong who came in with an elbow against Giroud near the end of the first half. The foul was given but the yellow card not. For the rest, only minor errors.

5 wrong decisions in total in the first half and the distribution is as typical as we are used to: 4 against Arsenal and one against Norwich.

First half score was 61.5% and 57.1% (Weighted). What we could call a poor performance with not many decisions to make.

In the second half we had one major shout for a penalty. But as described in the summary the ref was right to let it go. The ball bouncing from his own body against the arm when a clearance from another defender hit the player is not really something that can be described as a deliberate handball and one that should be punished with a penalty.

For the rest more of the same one could say. Not many fouls but still enough misses by the referee to get himself a rather low score. But nothing wrong with the goal so that gave the ref a few extra points.

The second half score was  65.0% and 72.0% (Weighted).  Again not really setting the world on fire and below average.

The second half bias score was more even. 7 wrong decisions in total and 4 against Arsenal and 3 against Norwich.

Over the whole 90 minutes we had a score of  63.6% and 65.0% (Weighted). What we should call: poor and below average.

The bias over the whole 90 minutes was  12 wrong decisions and 8 against Arsenal and 4 against Norwich. A 67/33 divide between both teams. Still the majority against Arsenal but a rather even bias score compared to what he have been used to in the earlier parts of the season.

Now if I remembered it right wasn’t this what we predicted that would happen once Arsenal would be out of the title race? I’m not certain this will continue in the last two reviews of course but still we haven’t had such a even bias score for a long, long time.

So the ref not having his best match but making no major errors… and not screwing Arsenal… how easy we are satisfied these days with referee performances…


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15 Replies to “REF REVIEW ARSENAL – NORWICH: interesting observations or just coincidence”

  1. Thanks for the review. Yes, the PGMOL had done their worst by Arsenal…and their best by another club by then…so no need for any Mike Dean type spectaculars against Wengers boys.
    Like others, Have often wondered if they are quite happy to do their best to ensure we dont win the title, but stop at trying to take us out of the ECL places…so far at least, though next year may be different, there are a lot of media darlings at chequebook clubs fighting for a top four place…well four such managers anyway, five if Leicester stay up there, Bilic could have joined their ranks. It is just possible the PGMOL/EPL/FA are as influenced by the media as some of our own so called supporters.
    2016/2017 Wenger vs the media darlings…..bring it on!

  2. I remember Andrew writing in the comments in March, I think, that we might get to see slightly clean refereeing, less major errors and better scores near the 70% percentages in last 5 or 6 games. And now looking back 2 months later, it looks Andrew and Walter had the crystal ball of PGMO. 😀

  3. I remember Andrew writing in the comments in March, I think, that we might get to see slightly clean refereeing, less major errors and better scores near the 70% percentages in last 5 or 6 games. And now looking back 2 months later, it looks Andrew and Walter had the crystal ball of PGMO. 😀

    ***used the wrong id in the previous comment 🙂

  4. Excellent and thorough report as always. Thanks.

    Norwich, whilst you’re in division 2, this time, learn to play the football. Don’t come back until you eliminate your thuggery.

  5. james – the FA are financially focused elsewhere. They do not really care what happens in football matches unless there is hue & cry. Then they just fine the protagonists.

  6. Usama,
    when you have looked at the referees for so many years as I have done, the pattern is there to see… if one wants to see of course 😉
    As long as we could win the league the errors are there but when we are out of the title race then we suddenly go to what I would call the normal refereeing: no more blatant errors that cost us points.
    This could be coincidence one season….but all seasons…. yeah… right…

  7. Walter, Tony,

    the issue that bothers me with all this is why ?
    I mean, for years you have been giving proof of irregularities.
    That the press behave they do is no surprise, they have their own agenda which is show-business not information for quite a few or most of them (that is my opinion).
    Hoewever, who benefits from the crime ? I mean why are the refs not only acting like this, but obviously acting in concert, and keep doing it. Who benefits ? Obviously it is not like the same team always gets it.
    The issue here is that we are talking about quite a few people involved in this scheme. And so why are they doing it and who actually benefits ?
    The North-South divide does not make sense there, or how do you then explain Chelsea ?

    Is there some secret auction at the beginning of the year in some dark office at PGMO where some owners attend and the winner gets a 13rd man on the field for the season ?
    I just cannot understand the reasons, the rationale behind all this.

    When AW started at Arsenal, I imagine that most refs presently active in the PL were still in school. So it cannot be like he insulted or hurts by some comments all these people at the time.

    In the end, the question is just : why ?

  8. Chris, it’s a big money making ‘soap opera’ where the refs work as the PL/FA ringmasters. They ease/nudge certain teams in certain directions to keep the TV ratings high and the money rolling in.
    No matter what we know or believe about our team, we aren’t the biggest attraction in the PL for TV. A couple of teams have a larger following globally and the PL would also like to increase the following of the smaller teams as well. It’s a flexible script where us managing to get into the top 4(+) so consistently is firmly not ‘on script’.
    With the PLs big 2 (global fanbase wise) of Dis-Utd and Liverpoo! nowhere near challenging the script had many re-writes this season with the ultimate David Vs Goliaths result. One day it may become our turn to benefit from the officials but the club and the fan will have zero effect on when that happens.

  9. Menace

    “the FA are financially focused elsewhere. They do not really care what happens in football matches unless there is hue & cry. Then they just fine the protagonists”.

    Fair point, but I would go further and say more accurately:

    “…unless there is a hue & cry IN THE MEDIA”

    and

    “…they just fine the protagonist, which will be who the media TELL them it is”

    Walter

    “As long as we could win the league the errors are there but when we are out of the title race then we suddenly go to what I would call the normal refereeing: no more blatant errors that cost us points.”

    I’ve noticed this kind of behaviour happen on a match to match basis. For example, if we have got ourselves a good lead, and the game is drawing to a close, we are much more likely to start getting decisions, such as penalties, that we would have no chance of getting, either early in a match, or if one is going to the wire.

    Although to be fair we didn’t even get those this year. One in particular I seem to remember was against Sunderland in the FA Cup. I’m sure we where already 3-1 up and cruising with not too long to go and Giroud was assaulted in the box. Still nothing.

    Similarly, if we are out of a game we get decisions we wouldn’t get in a tight affair.

    All goes to give the illusion of a more balanced Refereeing performance, when in reality it was anything but.

  10. The more I think about it, the more I believe that we are being “punished” for the “Invincibles” season.

    Why else would the PGMOL, FA, Media, Bookies, etc., be SO silent of the treatment handed out to us by members of that cartel?

    Even referees, sending off the wrong player; sending off a player who is later cleared, not sending off an opposition player who is later given a retrospective ban; referees deliberately winding up our supporters pre-game; ALL without punishment; getting the SAME referee 4 or 6 times in a season – has to reek of Calciopoli.

    If this was happening to Moan Utd, Liverpool or Etihad Citeh, there would be hell to pay.

    What I can’t understand is WHY our club also appears to be so complacent in all of this?

    Time for another, carefully worded petition – and this time, get it presented to parliament!

  11. Andy, clearly Usama and Walter have dedicated enormous amounts of time (years) in building up the data.This and their indelible integrity is making me take the idea of dodgy refs more seriously than I have before. But, like Chris, I remain deeply puzzled by the motive behind it all and the notion that there is an ongoing organised conspiracy against Arsenal. You offer the explanation that there is a “big money soap opera” but in keeping with the ethos of this site, don’t you need to provide evidence of this cause? Indeed, it seems to me, this is exactly where the emphasis of further investigation needs to focus. At the moment, we have lots of evidence that something unfair is happening on the pitch (the effect) with no evidence of why (the cause).

    On the one hand, I can see that continuing to collect the data via ref performance assessments will add more data points and thereby build up the confidence level in the data itself but unless the data is integrated into an holistic investigation that also interrogates what’s happening behind the scenes, the ref assessments alone will still leave the critical question “Why” unanswered. Proving the motive is critical, otherwise many people will continue to see this as just a conspiracy theory created by people who have a motive of their own. Not easy to do I grant you but surely the onus is on those who believe this is happening to pursue the evidence to the logical end. Or collaborate with somebody who has the experience of unmasking corruption. For instance, now that he’s done FIFA, is Andrew Jennings available?

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