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.

  • 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!).

      • Edited

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

      • est likes this.
      • 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

          • 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

                Sky sports have already started with their defence of him. Can’t defend the decision so make it about the abuse he’s getting, classic deflection tactics

                Clearly abuse is bad but the way this has come out is pure PR by the PGMOL, from some dickheads posting shit online and they are now using this to spin the narrative and make sure they don’t admit any fault.

                • Edited

                Classic deflection. Frankly I even doubt this is the most abuse he’s got considering we actually won the game

                Sicario2 - Tier 1 Unless ppl are going to his house not sure how he’s getting threats? He has zero social media

                Must be from the rest of his family. They probably think he's a useless cunt too.

                • Edited

                Even the Arsenal haters agree with us don’t understand what is going on.

                  JazzG like I said, PGMOL took it too far here. Sending off a child for a nothing foul 80 yards from goal.
                  Fans will take this as an avenue to go after them for other frustrations. VAR, excessive matches, price gouging. You can only treat fans like hostages for so long

                  It will be really interesting if the FA panel overturn the decision after PGMOL have doubled down on it. Puts PGMOL in a difficult place if the footballing world and then the FA’s Independent Regulatory Commission find Oliver’s decision to be wrong. Someone get Webb on tv and documenting his view before the appeal goes in!

                  No red card and to add insult to injury Martinez goes on to score the winner.

                  CPM Because they're corrupt as all get out.

                  Sicario2 - Tier 1

                  Ok, that tweet has really triggered me.

                  Though the level of injustice is obviously not the same, that statement from PGMOL is like something you'd get from a police union after one of their officers are recorded murdering someone. It's all about diverting attention to make themselves the victim.

                  It's no surprise Howard Webb was a part of South Yorkshire Police, one of the most corrupt, unprincipled and incompetent police forces in the country for the last 50 years or so.

                  • Edited

                  CPM because it's us. When its Liverpool they put out apologies. When it's United they overturn the decision. When it's Arsenal they double down.

                  CPM I just don't get why they're circling the wagons around this decision.

                  There's a fair bit at stake for these guys. It's being shown time and time again there's a big quality and skill deficit in English refereeing. Meanwhile PGMOL has managed to tightly wedge itself into the Premier League media landscape.

                  The leaked Coote video spoke volumes with its jealousy: these top flight referees are very aware they're the only people who get near the pitch on Premier League match days who aren't multi-millionaires.

                  From the rest of the sport's vantage point, there's no need for PGMOL to be continued in its current form or under current leadership. For fans there seems very little reason to think Howard Webb can run a better refereeing body than your local publican.

                  It adds up to a paranoid and vulnerable organisation desperate to weld itself to an established power base, and broker favours in return for protection. Whether explicit or otherwise, PGMOL has been doing just that. They're accordingly defensive about the status quo from the pitch to the boardroom.

                  I’d even forgotten that this is the season where Saliba conceded a penalty for fairly contesting a header.

                    Sky Sports are deleting loads of videos referencing this, something is going on behind the scenes.

                      JazzG my assumption is that PGMOL have told Sky and other news outlets that their coverage is fueling online rage against Michael Oliver. They are trying to turn themselves into victims and kill the original issue which is their incompetence and bias.

                        Arseblog spot on there.

                        Claudius Probably right, they are going full expensive crisis PR management mode on this one. I think they've realised it looks so blatant they can't hide it.

                        It's such a bad decision, even Dermot Gallagher has said it should have been a yellow card.