Accountability

Originally published @ 10:30 pm, Wed 3rd Nov 2010

So picture a scenario whereby at Old Trafford, a Tottenham player falls over in the opponent’s penalty box, claims a penalty, picks up the ball, disputes the lack of an award, then whilst the goalkeeper gets ready to punt the ball up the field, rolls the unguarded ball into the net and successfully claims a goal, even though the referee and the assistant discuss what happened.

Yeah, right.

Whatever next? Tottenham not being awarded a goal even when the ball has crossed the line by six feet?

Time for technology? Perhaps. But certainly time for referees to account for decisions in public after the game, even if not immediately so.

One of my mates went on Radio 5 once to make the point and it triggered quite a discussion. The quality of debate in football commentary would take a step up.

Fundamentally, it would dispel the myth that referees don’t seek to develop and learn. And the subsequent accountability might just stiffen the resolve against making some of what used to be called home team decisions.

I did tell a friend that Tottenham are still the contenders with the glass jaw. All the more surprising to see them do so well against Inter Milan.