Not sure about numbers, saw the comment on another site, but get a load of this, surely this man should be sacked after these performances.
The Very Worst Of Rob Styles Rob Styles made his debut as a Premier League referee in 2000, and has been p*ssing people off ever since. His collection of boobs in Sunday's Chelski v Liverpool clash were the latest in a long line of decisions that have irked all and sundry, so we pick out some more calls that have made Styles perhaps the most unpopular ref in the country....
Ipswich v ManYoo - 29th April 2002In the closing stages of the 2001/2 season, United's title hopes were still just, just, just alive, if they could only win at struggling Ipswich. A lacklustre United team didn't look like doing by themselves, so enter Styles, who awarded Ruud van Nistelrooy a penalty after the horsey striker flung himself groundwards under the slightest of challenges. The Dutchman stuck the kick away, but that was the high point of the last few weeks of the season for United, as they were bundled out of the Champions League three days late by Bayer Leverkeusen, and lost the title a week after that when Arsenal won at Old Trafford. The Tractor Boys had a similarly gloomy following week, going down by four points.
Tottenham v Birmingham - 16th August 2003Styles induced the ire of Glenn Hoddle on the first day of the 2003/4 season by awarding Birmingham the most dubious of penalties that gave them a 1-0 win. Curiously, Hoddle seemed to think that Styles was evening the score with Brum after giving some ropey decisions against them in a pre-season game in Malaysia a couple of weeks previously. Hoddle said: "He had a big problem with Birmingham and you could tell he was affected by that. From the first minute I knew it would go against us. The last place he should have been officiating on the first day of the season was St Andrews and that is why we lost." Hoddle was shown the White Hart Lane door a month later.
Middlesbrough v Fulham - 19th April 2005With the threat of being dragged into the relegation mire seemingly staved off by a late Brian McBride goal, Fulham were heading for a crucial away win at the Riverside. However, Edwin van der Sar hurtled out of his area to challenge the onrushing Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink in the last minute. The Dutch keeper recklessly cleaned up the Boro striker outside the box, but, after brief consultation with his linesman, Styles pointed to the penalty spot. Bolo Zenden duly tucked away the penalty, and Fulham were denied two vital points.
Arsenal v Chelski - 18th December 2005Arsene Wenger was invited to explain his comments about Styles to the FA after the Gooners were denied what turned out to be a perfectly good goal at Highbury. When the score was 0-0, Robin van Persie was set away and tucked home neatly, but for reasons passing understanding he was flagged offside, a decision backed up and confirmed by Styles. Chelski went on to win 2-0, prompting Wenger to declare: "I associate the referee and linesmen in the same team - the Chelsea team."
Chelski v Man City - 25th March 2006Chelski plus Styles does usually seem to equal controversy, as Man Citeh fans - or more pertinently Sylvain Distin will testify. Styles somehow allowed a goal from Didier Drogba to stand after the striker clearly controlled the ball with his hand - well, not so much controlled with his hand but damn near caught the thing. An understandably upset Distin begged to differ with such force that he was booked, and then continued his protests as the teams went in for half-time. He must've said something really mean, as Styles showed the then Citeh skipper another yellow just outside the tunnel, but this time he remembered about the first and brandished a red, sparking confusion all round.
Sheffield United v Liverpool - August 19 2006Styles was the man in black for the first game of last season, when most observers were put in the incomfortable position of sympathising with Neil Warnock. Steven Gerrard broke into the area, and Chris Morgan hinted at a challenge on the Liverpool skipper. Stevie went a few more steps before crashing to the ground, and Styles pointed to the spot. Robbie Fowler scored, which prompted Warnock to state: "I think Liverpool know they are fortunate because 95 per cent of people associated with the game would not have given a penalty. Unfortunately, one of the five per cent was wearing black and it was his decision and we have to accept it."
On Sunday, Andy Gray said that this call was "the worst decision I have ever seen from a referee. Until today."
Middlesbrough v ManYoo - March 10 2007George Boateng was the man left spitting feathers in this FA Cup quarter final, which Middlesbrough were playing well in and heading for a 2-1 win. However, Styles' eagle eye intervened when a Ryan Giggs corner was flicked on by Rio Ferdinand, straight at the hands of the Boro midfielder, standing a foot or two behind Ferdinand. Despite the apparent involuntary nature of the offence, Styles gave the penalty that Cristiano Ronaldo converted. United won the replay 1-0 thanks to another Ronaldo penalty, but the decision still rankled with Boateng, who said: "I am devastated. I can't believe it. The referee has robbed us."
SOURCE Football365.com
