A refereeing conspiracy?

[Ram-Alf]

6 minutes ago, DavesaRam said:

I often wonder why a team doesn’t get their shirts made in panels, fastened together with velcro. Then any shirt-pulling leaves a complete panel in the hand of the offender. Case closed. Apart from one exception: if the panel of shirt formerly formed part of a Derby County shirt. Then it is simply a case of weak, ineffective velcro!

Years ago Camaroon turned up with a kit that was skin tight FIFA banned the wearing in future games

[Alty_Ram]

20 hours ago, Tyler Durden said:

It's pretty dire all over and not just concentrated in the EFL. Was watching the Chelsea Newcastle game today and how the ref didn't see the shirt getting pulled off the back of the Newcastle player is beyond me. Not once but twice. Clear penalty. 

I agree. Absolutely blatant. It's simply not possible to believe that refs and assistants and the authorities are not aware of all the pushing and shirt pulling that goes on unpunished. It doesn't take VAR to see it, you can see it from the stands every game. That said, a VAR blitz of every set piece being checked for fouls and penalties and cards awarded would kill the tactic overnight, albeit providing a really crappy football spectacle. All this from someone who is not a fan of VAR...

[IslandExile]

1 hour ago, Unlucky Alf said:

Years ago Camaroon turned up with a kit that was skin tight FIFA banned the wearing in future games

Do they do it in a 3XL?

Second thoughts, better make that a 5XL loose fit.

[FindernRam]

35 minutes ago, Alty_Ram said:

I agree. Absolutely blatant. It's simply not possible to believe that refs and assistants and the authorities are not aware of all the pushing and shirt pulling that goes on unpunished. It doesn't take VAR to see it, you can see it from the stands every game. That said, a VAR blitz of every set piece being checked for fouls and penalties and cards awarded would kill the tactic overnight, albeit providing a really crappy football spectacle. All this from someone who is not a fan of VAR...

I seem to recall that several seasons ago there was supposedly a crackdown on this stuff and a few penalties were dished out and a lot of it stopped for a bit. Don't know when the policy changed but the pulling holding is back with a vengeance. More like Rugby than footy. Why don't we have a scrum on the penalty spot instead of a corner. That's what is happening now almost.

[Gee SCREAMER !!]

1 minute ago, FindernRam said:

I seem to recall that several seasons ago there was supposedly a crackdown on this stuff and a few penalties were dished out and a lot of it stopped for a bit. Don't know when the policy changed but the pulling holding is back with a vengeance. More like Rugby than footy. Why don't we have a scrum on the penalty spot instead of a corner. That's what is happening now almost.

That was after Leicester won the title by Huth and Morgan Greco roman wrestling everybody and swapping shirts for 38 games and 800 corners.  They realised the issue and stopped it for year. 

[Ram-Alf]

47 minutes ago, FindernRam said:

I seem to recall that several seasons ago there was supposedly a crackdown on this stuff and a few penalties were dished out and a lot of it stopped for a bit. Don't know when the policy changed but the pulling holding is back with a vengeance. More like Rugby than footy. Why don't we have a scrum on the penalty spot instead of a corner. That's what is happening now almost.

Policy

a course or principle of action adopted or proposed by an organization or individual

Someone some where decided it must stop, As too many Penaltys would be given, So in most circumstances they let it slide by, Refs wont penalise and yesterdays VAR in Chelseas favour they refused to pick it up ?

[DavesaRam]

Well I had hoped that things had changed since Wayne had his words about the officials, especially with the almost reasonable refereeing performance against Barnsley. But all to no avail. So I have sent a couple of emails off to Rick Parry, as follows:

Dear Rick

Can I start by thanking you for your replies to Derby County supporters who have emailed you in recent weeks. This is not typical of large organisations and authorities, so thank you.

I am concerned because of the way that the whole scenario between Derby County and the EFL has progressed, or not progressed, and because of the damage this is doing, not only to the club, but also to the supporters, the local area, to the Football league and to the EFL yourselves, because of how this saga has been carried out, and how Derby County have, and are being treated. However, accusations that the EFL are seeking to destroy the football club are completely unfounded, as evidenced by your continuing flexibility with various deadlines being extended. Again, thank you for that. Having said that, it is clear that there is still a desire to exact further punishment on the club, including the desire to see the club relegated.

That there are major questions about it all is not in dispute, and the issues of EFL rules and processes, the rules of accountancy and the rule of law have all been well represented in the emails I have referred to. So instead of these areas, I am approaching this from a different angle. It is a fairly obvious one, that of the performance of the match officials. Now before you reach for the delete key, please stay with this for a while. It might be an eye opener.

Supporters have always moaned about the man in black for as long as I’ve followed football, and most think that their club is singled out for special attention. This has over the years reflected the fact the job of match officials is a difficult one, and one which has become harder as time has gone, given the propensity of players, coaches, managers and clubs to want to gain an advantage by getting decisions in their favour. Actually, a referee making the odd mistake here and there is inevitable. But when those same questionable decisions are happening several times in a match, and in match after match after match, then questions have to be asked. Sadly, that has been what has been happening in matches involving Derby County for nearly two years, ever since the FFP saga has been running. I could visit all the matches over this time, but will limit it to the last couple of months.

So: Cardiff v Derby County – there were a number of issues, but I will pick out just 3: Cardiff were on a dangerous looking counter-attack, and were heading towards the Derby penalty area at pace. Curtis Davis ran towards the striker to put in a challenge, but before he got there, he was completely flattened by Uchu Ikpeazu, who was nowhere near the ball, and nowhere near the striker. It was a blatant take-out of a defender to allow his team mate to go free. It happened right in front of the referee, who did absolutely nothing, not even a free-kick. It was a clear yellow-card offence. Why the reticence, given the speed at which red cards were brought out against Ravel Morrison and Richard Stearman in previous games? Then Festy Ebosele was getting up from a challenge on the edge of the Cardiff penalty area when he was caught with the slightest of touches and down he went, and the ball broke free for a Cardiff attack. It was only a slight contact, but often a full-on trip isn’t necessary. If Ebosele hadn’t been brought own, then the attack leading to the goal wouldn’t have happened. And the goal – it was that man Ikpeazu again, grappling with Curtis Davis, again. They both had hold of each other’s shirts, but Curtis let go given the risk of a penalty shout. The amount of free-for-all wrestling in the penalty area during matches has long been a universal problem, but it is another issue to be dealt with at another time, but was a contributory factor here. As the ball came across, Ikpeazu literally threw Davis to the ground so he could attack the ball and score. A clear foul, with the ref again in full view. And yes, the referee’s decision did affect the result.

Luton Town v Derby County. Part way through the second half Kristian Beilik fell to the floor having been hit in the face. He got up and remonstrated with the Luton player Hyndman, and was then lectured by the referee as though Beilik had committed the major offence. Hyndman gestured as if he had moved his arm backwards to hold Beilik away from him, to prevent a tackle. But forgot to indicate that he moved his arm backwards at speed and at head height. As such it was a red card offence. Again, nothing given, apart from effectively his official blessing for “anything goes”. Because Hyndman hit Beilik in the head again a few moments later, this time with a clout across the back of his head. Again, nothing given. In the same match, Cashin ended up with a bloody nose, which may have happened entirely accidentally, but then again, it might not. Beilik’s protests at being smacked in the head was as a direct result of what happened in the match at Middlesborough, and maybe the match against Peterborough as well – more on those in a moment.

Peterborough v Derby County.

A two-footed lunge by Coulson on Ebosele was a straight red offence, but the ref played advantage, booking Coulson when play stopped. Having played the advantage, he could only give a yellow card because he had let play continue. Coulson getting a second yellow moments later for fouling the same player was a touch ironic. In addition, Peterborough were using time-wasting tactics almost from the kick-off, with the ref eventually giving a yellow card for it in the second half, yet ironically we ended up with more Derby County players being booked for time wasting than Peterborough players, even though our alleged time-wasting was all after the 93rd minute. And even one of those bookings was dubious, because Nathan Byrne’s “kicking the ball away” happened before the whistle was blown.

I have no complaints about the red card given to Tom Lawrence, because his reckless challenge was very dangerous. He shouldn’t have taken the law into his own hands. But then again, he shouldn’t have had to. Moments before he was smashed in the face by the player he then lunged at. It happened right in front of the referee and his assistant, yet, as always seems to be the case, absolutely nothing was done about it. Given what had happened in the match against Middlesbrough, Tom obviously thought that full-blooded punches to the faces of Derby County players are perfectly acceptable to match officials. As I said, he shouldn’t have effected his own justice, but as I have also said, he shouldn’t have to. That is what match officials are supposed to be for.

Derby County v Millwall.

There isn’t much to comment on in this one, apart from the issue of time wasting. Millwall did plenty of that, especially after going ahead so early in the match – although it was from a free-kick which should have been awarded to Derby. But these things happen. But the time-wasting became absolutely blatant towards the end of the match, with Millwall taking all week to take throw during time added on. So, Ryan Allsopp ran across to remonstrate about the blatant cheating, only to get booked for it – how ridiculous. So, a man who got booked for a single instance of time-wasting during time added on in the previous match, against a team who had been time wasting all match now gets booked for asking the ref why he isn’t stopping Millwall from blatantly wasting time. And you say there isn’t an agenda?

Middlesbrough v Derby County.

Given all the off-the-pitch activities going on between the two clubs, the EFL rightly identified that this could be a rather feisty match, and called in Mike Dean from the Premier League to oversee affairs. Which was a very wise move, apart from the fact that he didn’t deal with any of the feist.

Very early on Crooks assaulted Kristian Beilik with a forearm smash to the face, right in front of Mike Dean, who did what all referees seem to do in these situations, which was absolutely nothing. This was yet another red card offence, in full view of the man in the middle, yet there wasn’t even a free-kick, let alone the red card which should have been given. There should be scope for a retrospective red card, but I hold out no hope of that happening, because they never do where there has been an offence against a Derby player. And this issue goes back for more than the two years I have highlighted. But let’s not pursue that one.

A short while later Max Bird is bursting clear with the ball and would have had a clear run on goal, but he was felled by a two-footed, in-the-air challenge – by the same player. This was a clear red card offence for two reasons – it was a two-footed, out of control challenge, and it prevented a clear goal-scoring opportunity. So what did we get? A yellow card! Oh, and a free-kick. Thank you, Mike, how generous!

Then, towards the end of the half Crooks went in late on Max Bird again, well after the ball had gone. A clear yellow card. Yet again, nothing given. So, Crooks could, and should have been sent off on three separate occasions, but remains on the pitch. But then, here comes the killer issue: Crooks is still on the pitch to score the decisive goal at the end of the half. At 1 – 2, Derby County were very much still in the game, but that 3rd goal killed any hope off. Refereeing official’s decisions not affecting matches? I don’t think so.

Derby County v Birmingham City.

In this match Kamil Joswiack’s season was put in jeopardy by three horrendous tackles in the first half. The first two were yellow card challenges, and the 3rd was a two-footed challenge. IE a straight red. Yet, as ever, absolutely nothing was given for any of the offences. Not even a single free kick. That third foul was, yet again, in full view of the referee. Joswiack need extensive treatment for that last foul, and didn’t come out for the second half, and is still undergoing treatment some 5 weeks later. A picture may help, ironically from a Birmingham City Mail article looking at Birmingham City FC’s prospects. The newspaper is totally unaware of what the picture shows.

 

 

It is notable that the referee for the Derby County versus Barnsley match put in a very creditable performance, but cynic’s might link that to Wayne Rooney going public with his criticism of match officials after the previous match. It is also surprising that he wasn’t punished for publicly speaking about against the powers that be. But he does have a point.

These are details from just the last 6 matches, but they continue a pattern which has typified Derby County matches for the last couple of years. I know you are likely to simply trot out the standard response that the EFL does not have an agenda against Derby County, but that is like Hitler turning up in Poland saying that he isn’t about to start a war. It might be worth pointing out that in his autobiography, Graham Halsey actually stated that the Premiership used to lean on match officials to favour the big teams, and to keep the big-name players on the pitch. So it is not as though there aren’t any agendas being carried out.

The evidence from just this aspect of match officiating alone is overwhelming, and it is clearly time that Derby County started being treated fairly and even-handedly.

Yours faithfully

David Ellis

Hi Rick

Further to my email this weekend, I have to admit I was wrong about Wayne Rooney going public in his criticism of the performance of match officials. I thought with the officiating of the match against Barnsley that things had changed, but they haven't. I am almost expecting the aforementioned referee to be reprimanded for being so even-handed.

So instead of going into the Bournemouth versus Derby County match in hope of a good result, my heart sank when I saw who had been appointed as the referee. All hope was dashed, and it was only a matter of time before those dashed hopes were fulfilled.

There are two talking points. Firstly the penalty claim. Yes. Yet another stonewall penalty not given to Derby County. Have a look: 

Two pictures taken moments apart. What is not a penalty about that?

 

Yes, some people say that the ball has gone/he has lost control of the ball. But that is not the issue. He was fouled in the penalty area. As clear as clear can be. And remember, as per my previous email, this is not an isolated incident, just one of a huge number of contentious decisions going against Derby County.

Then the first goal. The throw in was taken from 15 - 20 yards from where it had gone out of play, yet the referee saw nothing wrong with that. He didn't think that it gave Bournemouth a distinct advantage. Yes, Derby should have defended the resulting action better, but they shouldn't have to. The referee should have handled the issue better.

So two contentious decisions which decided the match. If Derby had been given the penalty which they should have had, and the throw in taken from the correct position, the score could have been completely different. Which is probably why things happened the way they did.

To make matters worse, all the reports were that Barnsley, one of our relegation rivals, were given a soft penalty on Saturday. How convenient. But when you watch the action from that match, you see quite clearly that it isn't a penalty at all. The two players were tussling for the ball when the Barnsley player suddenly threw his feet forwards and fell down. For his feet to have moved like that, and for him to fall in a semi-sitting position would have required his feet to have been taken from him by an incredibly fast sweep of the leg by the defender. BUT there was no physical contact of feet or legs. The referee should have given a free-kick to Stoke City, and booked the Barnsley player for simulation.

Rick - you could keep getting these emails from me probably every match from now to the end of the season, because I am sure that there is a wealth of more material just waiting to be carried out. I shall not be doing that, because there is already way more evidence than is needed.

I ask you once again to call off this vendetta, and let Derby County's future be decided fairly on the pitch, not off the pitch in shady meetings.

Yours faithfully

Dave Ellis.

[Inverurie Ram]

11 hours ago, Unlucky Alf said:

Believe me we wouldn't, From kids games to senior local games the cheating is there, Mums and Dads threatening the opposition, The Refferee being constantly abused by Mum and Dad and even little Jonny as he's seen all this on TV, Local Refs are giving up on the game because of the above, Refferees are often attacked by some moron who thinks he's Renaldo or Coutinho or Messi, They don't know the laws of the game, Beered up from the night before then coughing their hearts up 10 minutes into the game as they're ducked.

I went and watched Belper Town a couple of weeks back, The ground is great, A clubhouse to have food and beer, A big screen TV(not Sky)£5 to get in(Senior)the play acting(cheating)is there, The official only looked 20 years old?‍♂️gave a penalty where the attacker clearly dived, As the look on his face confirmed it.

No Inverurie it's all cascaded down to every level, But the day was good ?

I did state without any officials anywhere near the game, so that includes parents also etc, the whole lot.

Even though I stated go play for your local teams. Maybe I should have made it clearer, go and enjoy a game of football with your mates, with your family etc and if your mates and family members, loved ones etc, choose to cheat against their own mates, friends, family etc, then it just shows how ruined the game of football has become or society has become.

[AndyinLiverpool]

12 hours ago, Unlucky Alf said:

Years ago Camaroon turned up with a kit that was skin tight FIFA banned the wearing in future games

That wasn't the kit that was bound. Nor was it the reason. The banned kit had no sleeves.

[Ram-Alf]

3 hours ago, AndyinLiverpool said:

That wasn't the kit that was bound. Nor was it the reason. The banned kit had no sleeves.

Yes it was!

Along with the "vests"

Edited March 15, 2022 by Unlucky Alf

[rynny]

17 hours ago, Unlucky Alf said:

Years ago Camaroon turned up with a kit that was skin tight FIFA banned the wearing in future games

I think you may be getting which shirts they had banned mixed up. It was the vest kit that was banned.

 

Edited March 15, 2022 by rynny

[angieram]

Just now, rynny said:

I think you may be getting which shirts they had banned mixed up. It was the best kit that was banned.

 

How do you know this was their best kit and not their second best kit? ?

[rynny]

2 minutes ago, angieram said:

How do you know this was their best kit and not their second best kit? ?

Auto correct, noticed straight after I posted, you were quick on to me with that Angie.

[angieram]

2 minutes ago, rynny said:

Auto correct, noticed straight after I posted, you were quick on to me with that Angie.

[rynny]

17 hours ago, Unlucky Alf said:

Years ago Camaroon turned up with a kit that was skin tight FIFA banned the wearing in future games

Just looked into it, and they were banned for the kit being a "onesie", basically the same as a sprinter's all in one. FIFA said that all kits had to have separate shorts and t-shirt, nothing to do with being skin tight.

[Ram-Alf]

59 minutes ago, rynny said:

I think you may be getting which shirts they had banned mixed up. It was the vest kit that was banned.

 

I don't do "mixed up"

 

54 minutes ago, rynny said:

Just looked into it, and they were banned for the kit being a "onesie", basically the same as a sprinter's all in one. FIFA said that all kits had to have separate shorts and t-shirt, nothing to do with being skin tight.

"FIFA president Sepp Blatter has launched a double offensive on football fashion warning that Cameroon's revolutionary one-piece strip is illegal and then insisting that women players should be grateful for his remarks suggesting they should wear sexier clothing.

Cameroon's new outfit, which combines jersey and shorts, has zips on the shoulders and red flashes on the sides which the manufacturer describes as "scratches" in keeping with Cameroon's nickname of the Indomitable Lions.

But Blatter is not impressed.

"If Cameroon play in this body suit, it will be against the laws of the game," Blatter told a press conference"

[DavesaRam]

On 14/03/2022 at 18:40, DavesaRam said:

Well I had hoped that things had changed since Wayne had his words about the officials, especially with the almost reasonable refereeing performance against Barnsley. But all to no avail. So I have sent a couple of emails off to Rick Parry, as follows:

Dear Rick

Can I start by thanking you for your replies to Derby County supporters who have emailed you in recent weeks. This is not typical of large organisations and authorities, so thank you.

I am concerned because of the way that the whole scenario between Derby County and the EFL has progressed, or not progressed, and because of the damage this is doing, not only to the club, but also to the supporters, the local area, to the Football league and to the EFL yourselves, because of how this saga has been carried out, and how Derby County have, and are being treated. However, accusations that the EFL are seeking to destroy the football club are completely unfounded, as evidenced by your continuing flexibility with various deadlines being extended. Again, thank you for that. Having said that, it is clear that there is still a desire to exact further punishment on the club, including the desire to see the club relegated.

That there are major questions about it all is not in dispute, and the issues of EFL rules and processes, the rules of accountancy and the rule of law have all been well represented in the emails I have referred to. So instead of these areas, I am approaching this from a different angle. It is a fairly obvious one, that of the performance of the match officials. Now before you reach for the delete key, please stay with this for a while. It might be an eye opener.

Supporters have always moaned about the man in black for as long as I’ve followed football, and most think that their club is singled out for special attention. This has over the years reflected the fact the job of match officials is a difficult one, and one which has become harder as time has gone, given the propensity of players, coaches, managers and clubs to want to gain an advantage by getting decisions in their favour. Actually, a referee making the odd mistake here and there is inevitable. But when those same questionable decisions are happening several times in a match, and in match after match after match, then questions have to be asked. Sadly, that has been what has been happening in matches involving Derby County for nearly two years, ever since the FFP saga has been running. I could visit all the matches over this time, but will limit it to the last couple of months.

So: Cardiff v Derby County – there were a number of issues, but I will pick out just 3: Cardiff were on a dangerous looking counter-attack, and were heading towards the Derby penalty area at pace. Curtis Davis ran towards the striker to put in a challenge, but before he got there, he was completely flattened by Uchu Ikpeazu, who was nowhere near the ball, and nowhere near the striker. It was a blatant take-out of a defender to allow his team mate to go free. It happened right in front of the referee, who did absolutely nothing, not even a free-kick. It was a clear yellow-card offence. Why the reticence, given the speed at which red cards were brought out against Ravel Morrison and Richard Stearman in previous games? Then Festy Ebosele was getting up from a challenge on the edge of the Cardiff penalty area when he was caught with the slightest of touches and down he went, and the ball broke free for a Cardiff attack. It was only a slight contact, but often a full-on trip isn’t necessary. If Ebosele hadn’t been brought own, then the attack leading to the goal wouldn’t have happened. And the goal – it was that man Ikpeazu again, grappling with Curtis Davis, again. They both had hold of each other’s shirts, but Curtis let go given the risk of a penalty shout. The amount of free-for-all wrestling in the penalty area during matches has long been a universal problem, but it is another issue to be dealt with at another time, but was a contributory factor here. As the ball came across, Ikpeazu literally threw Davis to the ground so he could attack the ball and score. A clear foul, with the ref again in full view. And yes, the referee’s decision did affect the result.

Luton Town v Derby County. Part way through the second half Kristian Beilik fell to the floor having been hit in the face. He got up and remonstrated with the Luton player Hyndman, and was then lectured by the referee as though Beilik had committed the major offence. Hyndman gestured as if he had moved his arm backwards to hold Beilik away from him, to prevent a tackle. But forgot to indicate that he moved his arm backwards at speed and at head height. As such it was a red card offence. Again, nothing given, apart from effectively his official blessing for “anything goes”. Because Hyndman hit Beilik in the head again a few moments later, this time with a clout across the back of his head. Again, nothing given. In the same match, Cashin ended up with a bloody nose, which may have happened entirely accidentally, but then again, it might not. Beilik’s protests at being smacked in the head was as a direct result of what happened in the match at Middlesborough, and maybe the match against Peterborough as well – more on those in a moment.

Peterborough v Derby County.

A two-footed lunge by Coulson on Ebosele was a straight red offence, but the ref played advantage, booking Coulson when play stopped. Having played the advantage, he could only give a yellow card because he had let play continue. Coulson getting a second yellow moments later for fouling the same player was a touch ironic. In addition, Peterborough were using time-wasting tactics almost from the kick-off, with the ref eventually giving a yellow card for it in the second half, yet ironically we ended up with more Derby County players being booked for time wasting than Peterborough players, even though our alleged time-wasting was all after the 93rd minute. And even one of those bookings was dubious, because Nathan Byrne’s “kicking the ball away” happened before the whistle was blown.

I have no complaints about the red card given to Tom Lawrence, because his reckless challenge was very dangerous. He shouldn’t have taken the law into his own hands. But then again, he shouldn’t have had to. Moments before he was smashed in the face by the player he then lunged at. It happened right in front of the referee and his assistant, yet, as always seems to be the case, absolutely nothing was done about it. Given what had happened in the match against Middlesbrough, Tom obviously thought that full-blooded punches to the faces of Derby County players are perfectly acceptable to match officials. As I said, he shouldn’t have effected his own justice, but as I have also said, he shouldn’t have to. That is what match officials are supposed to be for.

Derby County v Millwall.

There isn’t much to comment on in this one, apart from the issue of time wasting. Millwall did plenty of that, especially after going ahead so early in the match – although it was from a free-kick which should have been awarded to Derby. But these things happen. But the time-wasting became absolutely blatant towards the end of the match, with Millwall taking all week to take throw during time added on. So, Ryan Allsopp ran across to remonstrate about the blatant cheating, only to get booked for it – how ridiculous. So, a man who got booked for a single instance of time-wasting during time added on in the previous match, against a team who had been time wasting all match now gets booked for asking the ref why he isn’t stopping Millwall from blatantly wasting time. And you say there isn’t an agenda?

Middlesbrough v Derby County.

Given all the off-the-pitch activities going on between the two clubs, the EFL rightly identified that this could be a rather feisty match, and called in Mike Dean from the Premier League to oversee affairs. Which was a very wise move, apart from the fact that he didn’t deal with any of the feist.

Very early on Crooks assaulted Kristian Beilik with a forearm smash to the face, right in front of Mike Dean, who did what all referees seem to do in these situations, which was absolutely nothing. This was yet another red card offence, in full view of the man in the middle, yet there wasn’t even a free-kick, let alone the red card which should have been given. There should be scope for a retrospective red card, but I hold out no hope of that happening, because they never do where there has been an offence against a Derby player. And this issue goes back for more than the two years I have highlighted. But let’s not pursue that one.

A short while later Max Bird is bursting clear with the ball and would have had a clear run on goal, but he was felled by a two-footed, in-the-air challenge – by the same player. This was a clear red card offence for two reasons – it was a two-footed, out of control challenge, and it prevented a clear goal-scoring opportunity. So what did we get? A yellow card! Oh, and a free-kick. Thank you, Mike, how generous!

Then, towards the end of the half Crooks went in late on Max Bird again, well after the ball had gone. A clear yellow card. Yet again, nothing given. So, Crooks could, and should have been sent off on three separate occasions, but remains on the pitch. But then, here comes the killer issue: Crooks is still on the pitch to score the decisive goal at the end of the half. At 1 – 2, Derby County were very much still in the game, but that 3rd goal killed any hope off. Refereeing official’s decisions not affecting matches? I don’t think so.

Derby County v Birmingham City.

In this match Kamil Joswiack’s season was put in jeopardy by three horrendous tackles in the first half. The first two were yellow card challenges, and the 3rd was a two-footed challenge. IE a straight red. Yet, as ever, absolutely nothing was given for any of the offences. Not even a single free kick. That third foul was, yet again, in full view of the referee. Joswiack need extensive treatment for that last foul, and didn’t come out for the second half, and is still undergoing treatment some 5 weeks later. A picture may help, ironically from a Birmingham City Mail article looking at Birmingham City FC’s prospects. The newspaper is totally unaware of what the picture shows.

 

 

 

It is notable that the referee for the Derby County versus Barnsley match put in a very creditable performance, but cynic’s might link that to Wayne Rooney going public with his criticism of match officials after the previous match. It is also surprising that he wasn’t punished for publicly speaking about against the powers that be. But he does have a point.

These are details from just the last 6 matches, but they continue a pattern which has typified Derby County matches for the last couple of years. I know you are likely to simply trot out the standard response that the EFL does not have an agenda against Derby County, but that is like Hitler turning up in Poland saying that he isn’t about to start a war. It might be worth pointing out that in his autobiography, Graham Halsey actually stated that the Premiership used to lean on match officials to favour the big teams, and to keep the big-name players on the pitch. So it is not as though there aren’t any agendas being carried out.

The evidence from just this aspect of match officiating alone is overwhelming, and it is clearly time that Derby County started being treated fairly and even-handedly.

Yours faithfully

David Ellis

Hi Rick

Further to my email this weekend, I have to admit I was wrong about Wayne Rooney going public in his criticism of the performance of match officials. I thought with the officiating of the match against Barnsley that things had changed, but they haven't. I am almost expecting the aforementioned referee to be reprimanded for being so even-handed.

So instead of going into the Bournemouth versus Derby County match in hope of a good result, my heart sank when I saw who had been appointed as the referee. All hope was dashed, and it was only a matter of time before those dashed hopes were fulfilled.

There are two talking points. Firstly the penalty claim. Yes. Yet another stonewall penalty not given to Derby County. Have a look: 

Two pictures taken moments apart. What is not a penalty about that?

 

Yes, some people say that the ball has gone/he has lost control of the ball. But that is not the issue. He was fouled in the penalty area. As clear as clear can be. And remember, as per my previous email, this is not an isolated incident, just one of a huge number of contentious decisions going against Derby County.

Then the first goal. The throw in was taken from 15 - 20 yards from where it had gone out of play, yet the referee saw nothing wrong with that. He didn't think that it gave Bournemouth a distinct advantage. Yes, Derby should have defended the resulting action better, but they shouldn't have to. The referee should have handled the issue better.

So two contentious decisions which decided the match. If Derby had been given the penalty which they should have had, and the throw in taken from the correct position, the score could have been completely different. Which is probably why things happened the way they did.

To make matters worse, all the reports were that Barnsley, one of our relegation rivals, were given a soft penalty on Saturday. How convenient. But when you watch the action from that match, you see quite clearly that it isn't a penalty at all. The two players were tussling for the ball when the Barnsley player suddenly threw his feet forwards and fell down. For his feet to have moved like that, and for him to fall in a semi-sitting position would have required his feet to have been taken from him by an incredibly fast sweep of the leg by the defender. BUT there was no physical contact of feet or legs. The referee should have given a free-kick to Stoke City, and booked the Barnsley player for simulation.

Rick - you could keep getting these emails from me probably every match from now to the end of the season, because I am sure that there is a wealth of more material just waiting to be carried out. I shall not be doing that, because there is already way more evidence than is needed.

I ask you once again to call off this vendetta, and let Derby County's future be decided fairly on the pitch, not off the pitch in shady meetings.

Yours faithfully

Dave Ellis.

Its all pointless now after tonight’s shambles. The EFL did put the noose round our head, but we’ve pulled the trapdoor handle.

[Tyler Durden]

Thought the ref was very fair tonight 

[Crewton]

11 hours ago, Tyler Durden said:

Thought the ref was very fair tonight 

Ah, like when he failed numerous times to penalise their players for bringing our players down from behind, yet booked Morrison for a weak push on their defender who rolled around in an obvious attempt at simulation. And who didn't penalise Gallagher for putting his hands around Buchanans throat, or penalise any Blackburn players for numerous instances of foul play in our penalty area in the second half. 

I guess, at least though, he didn't deny us any clear penalties, so that does have to count as an improvement. 

[Curtains]

11 hours ago, Tyler Durden said:

Thought the ref was very fair tonight 

What very fair to Blackburn’s bully tactics 

Edited March 16, 2022 by Curtains