flobaba the big thing is we finally get a spotlight on the referee. If you cast your mind back to the fall when we had the Trossard and Rice decisions, the spotlight was on us - and narratives were created about dark arts. I don’t think PGMOL are corrupt. I think they are biased, and the media reinforces these biases with their toxic commentary about us. Corners are dark arts, the manager is out of his box, Saka is diving when he has cuts on his legs, etc.

The refs are watching the games on their off days, listening to this shit. And they come in and hit us.

We need to break that cycle, and I think this is the moment the refs overstepped.

      Claudius A scan of all the newspapers and channels shows broad support. Only independent has seemed ambivalent.

      Let’s see what their mouthpiece sky sports have to say about this. But considering the rest of the media seem to all be in disbelief they’ll struggle to spin this one. The ref getting it wrong is bad enough but they reviewed and decided it wasn’t a clear and obvious error, unbelievable

      We won the match so we might just let it go but if we had drawn or lost I think Arteta would have rightly gone nuclear at the end.

        Apparently Darren Lewis is reporting that the PGMOL are standing behind the decision, which seems a little daft given that a way worse tackle than Skelly's only received a yellow card. I don't see how that's a defendable position, but I'm sure Mr Webb will find a way.

        Expected this. They will go for the "high bar"/ not re-refereeing the game excuse for why VAR didn't intervene and give Oliver the benefit of doubt. I hope they review the 3 match ban for mls, but I fully expect them to circle the wagon once again and defend their henchmen.

        I'm praying that some higher power is just finessing the final details of one of the biggest investigations into sporting corruption in history.

        • Panda

        • Post #166
        • Edited

        PGMOL: Video evidence supports decision

        The PGMOL's position on the incident is the challenge is extremely late, the point of contact is high and video evidence supports that conclusion.

        The refereeing body adds Oliver has been subjected to social media abuse.

        Looooll they look even worse defending it. His studs were down the whole time. We have to win the appeal. Should go to independent body surely.

        Burnwinter It was a touch crude but not high, forceful or malicious, a tactical foul if ever there was one.

        I think this is the most objective and fair assessment of the challenge and I'd expect an independent body to see it the same.

            Panda the still image that's been shown will be what they use to defend the position. In that still it's possible to draw the view of that out of context the foot is high but I don't think that's a fair reflection of the challenge in real time and it looks like you have had to really go out of your way to get that.

            It's very frustrating about their process it would be good to know what Oliver sent him off for and that he should have to state that to VAR and then hear what they said in response. Why can't the ref say I think this may be a red card offence but can you review rather then give it and creates these stupid pressure moments. Other sports manage this so much better like rugby that are able to discuss like equals and being sensible.

                awooga83 I think the yellow card given to Gomes for a tackle that was, objectively, far worse than Skelly's should make that defence a moot point.

                  awooga83 the still image that's been shown will be what they use to defend the position. In that still it's possible to draw the view of that out of context the foot is high but I don't think that's a fair reflection of the challenge in real time and it looks like you have had to really go out of your way to get that.

                  Yep. There were numerous replays of the stud on high ankle view on my stream and that's why I mentioned during the match day thread how I could already see the FA/Oliver with his anti Arsenal bias having an excuse. The disappointment is with VAR just going with it. They'll high bar it again and perhaps acknowledge inconsistency but ultimately justify the decision and move on...

                    Panda PGMOL rushing to defending their mate on a Sunday when no one's even appealed is interesting. I hope we appeal. Since we won, they can't point to us being bitter or that their error changed the outcome of the game but from my perspective the more precedent we establish the better.

                    The final step that needs to happen is that pundits and the media would actually look at historic decisions - often within the same few months - and challenge referees on how they interpret the same action very differently. Particularly this sort of tackle which you see every weekend (or frankly, in every game!).

                      • Mirth

                      • Post #171
                      • Edited

                      Also remember, Michael Oliver was the ref that let these tackles go:

                      • est likes this.

                      • Coombs

                      • Post #172
                      • Edited

                      I haven't seen a still that shows any high, studs up challenge by MLS. Where is it?

                        Coombs it’s just a still of his foot coming down. And the position looks like he’s taking down the leg.
                        Inadmisable in a world where we see the weekly abuse Saka suffers

                            • Coombs

                            • Post #174
                            • Edited

                            Claudius so even though a still is an irrelevant bit of evidence considering we have full slow motion moving-image replays, it doesn't even exist to begin with. Got it.

                                The hatred runs deep, they could have overturned this one and said they’d investigate and the fuss would have died down but no they’ve chosen to double down, they want us and the league to know that they are accountable only to themselves.

                                Should be hounded out of football and jeered every game , the corrupt shit that he is. Not condoning threats against him personally but he's a dirty ref

                                  GooneriC
                                  Unless ppl are going to his house not sure how he’s getting threats? He has zero social media

                                  This appears as a deflection from the PGMOL