Are European refs biased against English clubs in European competitions?
I ask because not only Man U fans but fans of other teams who have been on the end of harsh refereeing decisions in the Champions League in recent years have expressed the feeling that they are.
I'm not so sure, first off let me say lasts nights red was harsh in my opinion, but was within the referees rights in regard to the strict letter of the law.
What though of the general perception of bias? I think the issue is that all the teams who qualify for the CL are used to getting favourable refereeing decisions domestically. Given a 50-50 call in the English game its a truism that , perhaps unknowingly, refs favour the "big" team. In Europe this is not the case, a 50-50 call is just that and could go either way.
So do Man U (also Chelsea, Arsenal etc) get less decisions in Europe than domestically? Yes I believe they do, but that's because they don't get the disproportionate number of decisions they get week in week out and are used to.
Anti English referees?
posted on 6/3/13
Some refs (esp. English) let some tackles unpunished. But, European referees are not. I watch many European games where sliding tackle (if you bring the player down) is always an yellow.
Coming to the last night Nani tackle in Fergie words "it could have easily killed him".
posted on 6/3/13
I think it’s not a total anti-english agenda but I can’t help think that there seems to be an air of anti-premier league feeling across Europe with the deemed “arrogance” of english fans and clubs, the money splashed by United, Chelsea and city etc and how we refer to the premiership as the best league in the world.
I can’t believe however that a referee could get to such a high level and be so petty and easily swayed. The main issue for me is that we have a Turkish, Danish refs etc refereeing big big games and ultimately they seem to make big errors. That being said even the German and Spanish/Swiss Refs seem to give decisions against english teams – even the first leg blowing the whistle bang on 3 minutes before we’d taken a corner – I mean what’s the rationale behind that?? Same thing with the red card last night – no-one in the stadium expected a red – if he gives a yellow everyone says ok and gets on with it, its like he either wanted to be centre of attention or punish united in some way. If its dangerous play then why did we not get a penalty for the goalkeepers assault on vidic?? Id like to know who selects the refs for these games surely there is a better qualified one – Giggs was older than the ref FFS!
posted on 6/3/13
This ref has sent off players from English teams on 5 occasions.
Read the stats!
posted on 6/3/13
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posted on 6/3/13
Surely not so early in their career though Sideshow.
posted on 6/3/13
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posted on 6/3/13
Rob
Without checking, I believe your stats, but to judge if it proves bias I'd need to view the incidents as well. Could just be that certain play that is acceptable in the English game isn't in Europe.
posted on 6/3/13
Yeah, I guess so. I don't think he was particularly bias, he turned down penalties for both teams last night, imo, the Nani decision was the wrong call. Best of luck at the weekend
posted on 6/3/13
Generally speaking, I'd say that refereeing is different in different countries, and that when you play in Europe you have to adapt to how refs from other countries officiate games.
That said, the red last night surprised even the Spanish commentators, it was completely unexpected.
There might be a tinge of anti-English bias, I don't know, but if there is part of it might be due to the dated attitude of English officials (not to mention the media) regarding their position in world football. Some still seem to consider themselves as the 'owners' of the game rather than viewing others as their equals. Slating the rest of the world before falling flat-faced into an ankle-high pool certainly isn't the best way of getting the rest of the world on your side.
posted on 6/3/13
Not only killed off United , but ruined a damn good game...Fie on the ref!!!