Trawling the social media sites available to me, it is interesting to see that our friend, the referee, in this case Jeremy Simpson, cops some flak.
Seemingly, most of the posts I stumbled upon, relating to the referee, seemed to indicate that it was his fault we didn’t take anything from the game.
It’s thought provoking to think that the posts reproduced below, echo the results of a poll we covered in a recent article – your-damning-verdict-on-the-state-of-refereeing:
I never want Jeremy Simpson being referee for our games again.
— Callum (@callumLtfc) February 18, 2023
I think we need to start shooting at arms instead of the net in future 😬
— MrLacksadaisy (@dublinhatter) February 18, 2023
The club needs to file a report about this referee performance
— Piers🇬🇧 (@Piersthepatriot) February 18, 2023
Obviously, any detrimental remarks made about the performance of Jeremy Simpson, are linked to the penalty he gave when he adjudged Gabe Osho to have handled the ball and then, a minute later showed Tom Lockyer a red card. Two decisions that did affect the outcome of the game.
But are the views expressed above biased?
Perhaps we should consider the views of Rob Edwards who, in his after-match interview with The BBC, remarked:
“It was a penalty. We are human beings and there are going to be mistakes.”
Indeed there are and, personally, I’d have jumped for joy if the referee had given us a penalty in similar circumstances.
But, continuing the refereeing debate, how did you rate the ref today?
Please feel free to have your say in the comment facility beneath this article.
COYH’s
Birmingham City v Luton Town?
Birmingham City to Win
Luton Town to Win!
A Draw!
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Luton – The Legends Series – Tony Read
Personally I think in context of what as Vincent kompany himself said about the game it was a highly charged battle an he should know more than us fans don’t you think!!! That overall the ref did well it was a pen an locks couldn’t keep his mouth shut. That’s a fact. So while we all hate losing a game like that.instead we need to look at our own team an the profligate misses of chances over the last three games. So stop looking for refs to blame an look closer to home an where the problem is.
well said, the ref did okay in my opinion, unlike some we’ve had this season
It was a clear handball followed by falling over that earned them the free kick that led to a penalty for an equally clear handball… Blew for every aerial dual against Luton but got nothing back.
Still all our fans who want 1 poor ref so they can chat in the pub will be happy… I prefer watching football than a clown with a whistle.
That’s me Steve 😁 would var have changed his decision?
No mate, it wouldn’t as a different phase… But more money on training refs and incentivizing the profession with adequate pay may help.
Surely fourth official could see the handball from 3 yards away, what power (if any) do they have to award free kicks?
I would take VAR if we could get close to cricket… Quick, quantified, no change for any doubt and we get to hear the Men in Black actually speak to confirm/deny…
All too secret squirrel and inconsistent and interpretative as it is and so no thanks.
agree totally, cricket and rugby have led the way, we’re just buMbling along, at the moment, with VAR
Can’t argue with your first part but no thanks on var at any price just goal line technology for if the ball crossed the line.
the cricket judgements are not instant, but to hear the result explained might be better. but it won’t change bad refs. COYH.
but no real rush in cricket, especially when its a five day test lol
He may have been a poor ref giving free kicks for virtually every challenge but it was a penalty clear handball under toays rules
the way in which footballers, at the slightest touch, go down too easily is a stain on the modern game.