In a time when it feels like refs are getting it wrong more and more often — Mark Clattenburg was one of the more consistent men in black.
I also liked his approach to the game. Where he could, he allowed it to flow as much as possible.
He generally understood where to play advantage, let a late but unintentional tackle go and how to communicate with players on a level.
He too has been guilty of a couple of “shockers”, but was probably the best of the bunch.
I had no idea the Saudis were “doing a China” on match officials?
Yep, that’s where he’s gone, Saudi Arabia, to become the new head of referees.
And who vacated the post? None other than Howard Webb! Not sure why I didn’t know that, but I guess because of the obscene amounts of money on offer, deals like these are quickly accepted, packaged and delivered.
I mean, why else would such a renowned face like Clattenburg leave the spotlight of the most important league in the world?
OK, don’t debate that with me, rather name two referees in La Liga, Ligue 1 or Serie A?
No you can’t, can you? Debate over.
The lucky bastard must have been offered a monster salary.
Yep, they gave him a 12-month contract and he ran!
Anyway, we’re left with fools whose decisions often make you suspect match-fixing.
I mean, Alexis Sanchez’s handball goal two weeks ago, or Bournemouth’s equaliser against City which was about two metres ON-side?
Or what about Marcos Alonso’s challenge to put Chelsea up against the Gunners?
Mad stuff, even without the help of 360-angle, slow-motion cameras,
EVERYONE could call them except the officials on the pitch. Even my metre-tall auntie who’s as blind as a one-eyed bat could have got those right from row Z in the top tier on a snowy night.
Mind you, more often than not it’s those nerdy linesmen who get it wrong and I’ll advise the ref.
Anyway, as they say “swings-and-roundabouts”.
The one positive in recent times is that there doesn’t appear to be a specific club that benefits consistently from poor officiating oh, yes, Howard Webb left Manchester United!
Onto the weekend and I’ve bought into the hype, yes, feels like the FA Cup has restored some of its amazing energy.
Some great games, giant killings and top-end sides putting out more or less full strength squads.
It’s a super strong set of quarterfinals.
I swore when Chelsea pulled United out the hat as the first fixture. Surely not? Mourinho back at the Bridge? It definitely tastes of a fix.
Anyway, massive one to look forward to and I’d imagine the Blues will get a better game, following United’s weak performance in West London last time around.
All eyes are gonna be on White Hart Lane as well, as they host Millwall.
Tottenham, who still have a large hooligan element, will be relishing a good ol’ fashioned tear-up on the Seven Sisters as their South London opponents will descend in huge numbers in a fixture that will probably produce more spark off the pitch than on.
Oh and before I go, have to say itCape Town City deserved to beat Pirates.
I was shocked to see the standard of football, amazing, they really are a good side to watch, making us proud!