Merk Not Allowed to Ref Italian and Ukrainian Games?

[Shackleton]

Saw this and wondered what the refs here think about this and whether this is true.

http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/apr28h.html

[MassachusettsRef]

I see no sources and no evidence to support the claims. I don't think any of it is true.

For one, UEFA--to my knowledge--has NEVER come out and said that a referee got a goal/no-goal decision wrong. If they did here, you'd see something on their own website.

Further, though, UEFA wants one of its referees working the final--now would NOT be the time they undercut one of their own referees in order to help fuel Italian sour grapes.

As to the claim that Merk won't get Italian or Ukranian games. First, that's a FIFA decision--not a UEFA one. Second, again, there's no evidence to support the claim. The same applies for the "likelihood that he won't get the final"...every referee has some controversy in their past--even Collina did. This incident will not, singlehandedly, keep Merk from the officiating the Cup final.

Honestly, the article is laughable...it doesn't even try to show evidence, and just makes sweeping claims with absolutely zero supporting documentation.

[Englishref]

It's also worth remembering that this is AC Milan, not the Italian national team, so I suspect Merk is a hero amongst the Inter Milan supporters, and maybe the Juve, Lazio, Roma, etc, supporters as well. So to suggest Merk is disliked in Italy because of it, and therefore incapable of refereeing one of their games, is a non-starter.

The same goes for Shevchenko. It was one player. Not the whole Ukrainian team, and nor was it a Ukrainian domestic team, giving no reason for him not to referee the Ukraine national team.

It's frankly a load of rubbish, and given the staunch support from FIFA for Urs Meier after he disallowed the England goal for susbtantially less contact, I can't see them ditching Merk.

[King-James]

Who writes for Channel 4 "Italia" :rolleyes: ?

They aren't the most credible place, when you consider the types of things they put on TV.

[comme]

Who writes for Channel 4 "Italia" :rolleyes: ?

They aren't the most credible place, when you consider the types of things they put on TV.

Like what?