Luton Outlaws - Independent Message Board for Luton Town FC

When are referee’s going to realise that they are in part responsible for providing the paying customer (who indirectly pay their match fee’s) with an entertaining product. Last night Cardiff (although it could be any professional football club including our own beloved) stretched, bent and broke the rules in an effort to spoil the game (now whilst not condoning this if you are as poor as Cardiff were this may be your best hope) and the referee seemed to allow them. Time wasting is an offence in the first minute the same as the ninety first, but nobody is ever booked in the early part of the game for it, stealing yards at a throw in is an offence but never punished, these are basic rules of the game and don’t get me started on foul throw-ins.

The referee has a responsibility to contribute to the entertainment, recently it seems to be a trend that they are there for their own self promotion and publicity rather than to compliment and officiate the players who “should” be providing the entertainment

Last night for example he spoke to Alsop several times (some even in the first half) about speeding up his goal kicks but took zero action all night, he then allowed Cardiff to delay the taking of penalty heaping pressure of the taker (poor penalty it was however)
and the amount of wrestling and shirt pulling that went on at corners was off the scale and all he did was prevent the corner being taken and warn the players, this makes me wonder if you punch an opposition whilst the ball is out of play should you just receive a warning like you do if you grab or pull an opponent before a corner is taken… they are both acts of foul play aren’t they so why are they treated differently.

This is not a particular dig at Cardiff as all professional football teams are guilty of this to varying degree’s