The FA have made complete fools of themselves , as usual !
Howard Webb is the problem .
Let's get a little real her. The FA will never condemn any of their referees in public. Especially if there is any suggestion of bias. If a referee consistently underperforms then they are quietly shifted into the Championship.
Why should Howard Webb be biased and show it so blatantly that he would put his refereeing future in jeopardy? I don't think he was intentional biased but he just made a couple of poor decisions. I don't envy anyone having to make that sort of call under the pressure of a Premiership game. I don't think I could or would like to do it.
However although it may not have been conscious decision to favour United over Liverpool it could have been an unconscious one. Let me explain.
A mate at work (an Evertonion actually but not a bitter one) told me how he attended a health and safety course during which the attendees were split into groups to get to know each other. One of my mate's group was just about to resign his job and go full time as a professional referee. He had already officiated at a few Premiership games as an assistant referee (linesman to you and me). One of these games had been at Anfield and another at Old Trafford.
When he went to Anfield he introduced himself as a match official and was told where the match officials room was. When he got there he found it was locked so went back and eventually a key was produced and the room unlocked. It was cold and dark so he put the lights on and switched the heating on and waited for the other officials to arrive.
When he went to Old Trafford and introduced himself as a match official he was shown to the match officials room which was unlocked, warm and lit. In it were chairs and a table with tea, coffee, sandwiches and cakes.
Alright a few light refreshments should not make any difference but if you treat the officials like sh*t then don't be surprised if some of the decisions don't go your way. Equally if you treat them well then subconsciously they are going to favour you.
United don't miss a trick. Neither should we.
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