I hope Howard Webb was watching the West Brom v Man Utd game tonight, where Rob Styles gave a lesson in how to referee a match firmly and without standing for any nonsense. I'm sure that refs around the country cheered with delight as Styles booked players for various irritating examples of unsporting behaviour, mainly Baggies players unable to contain their frustration at being shown how to play football.
Was Robinson's foul on Park reckless (yellow) or dangerous (red)? Well in fact it was both. Flying in to a challenge with both feet at that speed is asking for trouble and referees are trying hard to clamp down on such fouls, that pose a real threat of serious injury to an opponent.
Webb, England's top ref and likely to be our representative at next summer's World Cup, has struggled a little recently with discipline, appearing to be wary of dishing out cards when they really should be. Styles led by example, stayed calm in a decidedly unpleasant atmosphere and remained decisive, refusing to allow players to be petulant.
2 comments:
The FA don't agreed with you regarding Robinson's red card I see. Thought it was a caution. They say no surprises when you referee and I think the red was a surprise. They didn't say it had been turned into a yellow either, just wiped from the record and no ban.
Still think that challenge was dangerous and could have caused Park serious injury. But perhaps Styles saw different angles and thought that there was no intent to injure.
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