As a referee (not football) I can understand that there must be respect for officials, but the respect can only be gained by the referee showing respect to the fans and players. How can the F.A. ask for respect when they will not allow them to speak about the decisions that they have or have not made. More respect would be gained if a referee publicly stated that he had made a mistake or that in the cold light of day would have handled a decision differently. I understand that decisions are made on the spur of the moment and without the aid of numerous television replays. I also think that the F.A. should be able to take action against a player that had been dealt with by the referee. Players can appeal against a red card and either get it rescinded or to be given an extra penalty if the believe it is a frivolous appeal but the F.A. are not willing to upgrade a yellow to red. COME ON F.A. SORT THIS OUT!! Because until you do the respect for officials won't be there.
The FA can and has taken action with a player dealt with by the referee They only do it when it's on MotD though with a big name player involved
Yep Thatcher's assault on Mendes. Got a yellow at the time cos Dermot Gallagher didn't see it clearly. The FA stepped in and gave him an 8 match ban. Man City showed their class by pre-empting the FA and banning him themselves though. Can't expect the same principles from the Dee-Dars.
Keith Hackett... ... has anybody heard him say anything about Andy D'Urso's performance ? As someone who is integral to the whole "Respect" campaign, I think it's only fair that he should ! I mean, how on earth do the English footballing bodies expect us to support them if they don't accept their own mistakes ?