What is going on with these referees?

Andy Todd got sent off at Fratton park on saturday and the decision was a bit harsh. I nust admit, from where I was sat (and with my blue tinted glasses on) it looked liked a sure fire red, but TV coverage showed he just played theball. Todd will use this footage and get his red card rescinded.

Ben Thatcher knocks Pedro Mendes unconscious with a deliberate elbow and the rules of the game prevent him from being hauled in front of the FA because the ref spotted it and as far as the FA are concerned, it has been delt with. The ref must have been the only person in the ground who thought it was a yellow.

seems to be double standards here, if a player can use tv footage to get their name cleared, surely the FA should use it to penalise when they have not been dealt with severely enough?

Ben Thatcher would be best advised to avoid Hampshire for a while

 

Easy solution. Call the old bill in Manchester and tell them you witnessed an assault. They have to investigate. Happened the other year but i cannot remember the details.

 

Thatcher needs to be shot Disgrace to football for what he did last night and for playing poo week in week out

 

has anyone got a video of the ben fatcher challange??

 

A Pompey fan gave me a link to the match highlights last night: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=syurgraIu5o It'll take awhile for it to load in and the incident is four minutes in.

 

This link has the incident and David James, Harry Redknapp and Stuart Pearce's reaction. I just posted in a different thread about this. I hope Thatcher gets a lengthy ban. I actually would think that if Stuart Pearce sees this he would be a little less sheepish about it.

http://home.skysports.com/list.aspx...d=43&lid=2&title=FA+examine+Thatcher+incident

 

For what it's worth, the FA rescinded that card yesterday.

 

Complete disgrace, and should get a long ban. I understand that the FA are having problems though as the ref descion is final and the fool only gave a yellow. Glad to see the police are getting involved, maybe a charge of GBH or ABH will sort him out

 

Just watched it and even at regular speed his arm was up deliberately. Thatcher needs a month off, maybe longer, w/o pay.

 

I think Stuart Pearce needs to step up here and do the right thing, Come out publicly that this sort of thing cannot be tollerated, and describe the ban, fine rather than waiting for the FA. I would expect no less from Pards.

 

Pearce has already come out and said that he thinks the incident was unacceptable and that he was at least content that Thatcher had written a letter of apology to Mendes. You can't expect anything more from Pearce - he has had a word with him and told him that he did was wrong. Its pointless him banning Thatcher as it is up to the FA and he cannot do anymore.

 

Pearce is apparently looking for a new left-back according to TalkSport, or thats at least what they were saying earlier. Thatcher looks likely to be on his way out but who would honestly want him?

 

Damn. First Brown's challenge on Giggs and now THAT!!!

But I'm not surprised, because ever since this ugly tackle of an English player vs. one of our guys I'm convinced that Brits shouldn't be allowed to play soccer: HE WASN'T EVEN LOOKING FOR THE BALL...

 

The standard has been nothing short of scandalous. Rob Styles had an absolute shocker at Bramall Lane. Fortunately their boss seems to agree. Gallagher is off to the lower reaches of football, although what they have done to deserve him, I don't know.

 

Per and interview Hackett had with Sky this morning, Styles has been demoted to the Championship due to his performance this past week, along with one other ref who I didn't recognize.

 

Steve Bennett has an absolute shocker in every match he officiates. The guy makes so many puzzling decisions. It's pathetic really.