Lee mason

[PhilM]

They haven't helped themselves by being a closed shop. If they were mic'd up, or even published their match reports, it would go a long way to help understand some of the bizarre decisions.

Take yesterday's debacle; we won't hear anything further about it, other than pundits giving their opinion. It was a horrendous gaffe and ignoring it will only make things worse.

My sentiments exactly. To an extent I agree with @McBain that across the game referees do not receive the respect that they should have to manage the game.

However, the setup of refereeing here at the top of the UK, created by and maintained by the referees with the PGMOL, only undermines their credibility.

Before even looking at yesterday, consider the application of VAR: there has been constant mistakes with it yet there is no accountability of those involved.

Why? Those in charge are a select group of ex-referees, who maintain the status quo. If they make a dodgy decision, where is the sanction or improvement?

There is no accountability: if there are errors, the lengths they go to defend themselves with questionable outcomes, if there are any, is laughable at best.

We can't hear the dialogue between the referees like with other sports nor can any real questions be asked; instead, we get glib statements from the PGMOL.

I've banged on about it many, many times but I always go back to Son's handball against us, where the response was farcical. Do they even know the rules?

It appears to many as if they make their own interpretations from match to match with little evidence of consistency, with their verdict covering their backs.

So to yesterday... Mason blew to allow the free-kick and then panicked, which suggests he was neither fully observant of the situation nor knowing the rules.

I'd be more content with him allowing the goal outright or blowing and sticking with it ruled out, but instead he's buckled under players and then went to VAR.

Who is actually in charge of the match? What was the reasoning for it being disallowed? With such situations, it's no wonder people don't respect them.

Like I said with rugby yesterday, the referee made a contentious decision that I believe was wrong, yet I actually respect that he stuck by his decision.

Instead, Mason has shown that he can be intimidated by players on the pitch and/or has a very poor grip on the rules of the game, but the PGMOL will protect him.

 

[Bohemian Toffee]

Its a wonder anyone actually wants to referee with the amount of bile they have to put up with tbh.

When I first saw it, two minutes later than everyone else - thanks steam - I actually felt sorry for Mason. It's like one of those standing in front of everyone with no trousers nightmare, where you wish the ground would swallow you up.

He's made a number of high profile bad calls this season and has been called out by managers not wanting him to officiate their matches. The pressure he must be under and to follow up with that shambles is probably career ending.

Relieved it happened to Brighton, imagine the bullets he'd be unwrapping if it had been the RS.

 

[McBain]

When I first saw it, two minutes later than everyone else - thanks steam - I actually felt sorry for Mason. It's like one of those standing in front of everyone with no trousers nightmare, where you wish the ground would swallow you up.

He's made a number of high profile bad calls this season and has been called out by managers not wanting him to officiate their matches. The pressure he must be under and to follow up with that shambles is probably career ending.

Relieved it happened to Brighton, imagine the bullets he'd be unwrapping if it had been the RS.

I only caught some highlights and haven’t delved into what actually happened but you could see on his face his nightmare was unfolding. I only also saw the second penalty really briefly but it looked like the defender got the ball?

All good points being made above actually, completely agree that there has to be more transparancy when making the big calls, especially when games can really hinge on one awful decision that people are pretty unamimous about.

 

[trueblue84]

When I first saw it, two minutes later than everyone else - thanks steam - I actually felt sorry for Mason. It's like one of those standing in front of everyone with no trousers nightmare, where you wish the ground would swallow you up.

He's made a number of high profile bad calls this season and has been called out by managers not wanting him to officiate their matches. The pressure he must be under and to follow up with that shambles is probably career ending.

Relieved it happened to Brighton, imagine the bullets he'd be unwrapping if it had been the RS.

He created the whole problem himself. Dunk asked him if he could take the quick freekick. He said yes. Then he bottled it when he saw the keeper out of position (there are no rules about players being in position) and tried to stop the goal.

He then bottled it again when the Brighton players kicked off by changing his mind and giving the goal, even though it can't be allowed because he blew his whistle before it went in.

VAR had to step in and tell him to review it again. I doubt he changed his decision for the right reasons (i.e. knowing the rules) and suspect he changed his decision simply because he was challenged to review it.

I don't support anyone getting threats or abuse, but he is a professional referee. It is his job and he is consistently bad at it.

 

[Bohemian Toffee]

All good points being made above actually, completely agree that there has to be more transparancy when making the big calls, especially when games can really hinge on one awful decision that people are pretty unamimous about.

Totally agree with this too. I think they missed a trick with VAR where they could have opened up the decision making process and at least communicated what they were reviewing.

If Brighton are in a position where they go down, that moment is going to be replayed as being crucial. The missed penalties and inability to turn chances into goals will be hidden behind it. Communication and accountability would help allay some of that.

 

[COYBL25]

Its a wonder anyone actually wants to referee with the amount of bile they have to put up with tbh.

You raise a very good point there, as the amount of serious abuse and sometimes violence refs at park level have to endure, it`s amazing that any of them stick around long enough to actually become pros.

 

[Bohemian Toffee]

I don't support anyone getting threats or abuse, but he is a professional referee. It is his job and he is consistently bad at it.

Totally agree, I agree with how you've outlined the events and his actions in them.

Totally agree, he should be better at his job.

I just felt sorry for him at that moment, because I am someone with my own history of colossal errors at work and I know the feeling and the face he made.

 

[PhilM]

When I first saw it, two minutes later than everyone else - thanks steam - I actually felt sorry for Mason. It's like one of those standing in front of everyone with no trousers nightmare, where you wish the ground would swallow you up.

He's made a number of high profile bad calls this season and has been called out by managers not wanting him to officiate their matches. The pressure he must be under and to follow up with that shambles is probably career ending.

Relieved it happened to Brighton, imagine the bullets he'd be unwrapping if it had been the RS.

But the crux of the matter is that it most likely won't be. Sadly, the referees are not held accountable for the decisions they make, which continues the cycle.

I'm not saying go down the draconian route as ultimately they are humans and we all make mistakes; however, for serious errors there must be accountability.

Otherwise, it is nigh on certain that complacency will come into play like and will end up with week after week of contentious decisions, like we have now.

When was the last week we didn't have a serious issue with referees or VAR? For a while, it seemed like every single game day there were serious errors.

Previously, I had sympathy for referees as they were managing an intense game with decisions made in the split second that were analysed in slow-motion.

But now, they have VAR to help alleviate the issue and instead of the game getting better it's become even worse, so my sympathy is little to none.

I'd start by breaking up the PGMOL or at least making serious changes with the rigid involvement of ex-players, coaches and impartial individuals.

I would make the referees accountable for serious errors with multiple breaches meaning they're axed rather than demoted for a game week or two - on full pay!

The communication between the on-pitch officials and the VAR would also be public, so people can hear how decisions have been made.

If people want referees to be respect, well I would start at the top as it's not going to be a quick or easy process. I would then facilitate more cards for abuse.

 

[COYBL25]

But the crux of the matter is that it most likely won't be. Sadly, the referees are not held accountable for the decisions they make, which continues the cycle.

I'm not saying go down the draconian route as ultimately they are humans and we all make mistakes; however, for serious errors there must be accountability.

Otherwise, it is nigh on certain that complacency will come into play like and will end up with week after week of contentious decisions, like we have now.

When was the last week we didn't have a serious issue with referees or VAR? For a while, it seemed like every single game day there were serious errors.

Previously, I had sympathy for referees as they were managing an intense game with decisions made in the split second that were analysed in slow-motion.

But now, they have VAR to help alleviate the issue and instead of the game getting better it's become even worse, so my sympathy is little to none.

I'd start by breaking up the PGMOL or at least making serious changes with the rigid involvement of ex-players, coaches and impartial individuals.

I would make the referees accountable for serious errors with multiple breaches meaning they're axed rather than demoted for a game week or two - on full pay!

The communication between the on-pitch officials and the VAR would also be public, so people can hear how decisions have been made.

If people want referees to be respect, well I would start at the top as it's not going to be a quick or easy process. I would then facilitate more cards for abuse.

There should be more encouragement and incentive for ex players to become refs too.

There`s only a minority who end up in paid coaching rolls and the select few go onto to become pundits.

I can`t think of a single player ( off the top of my head ) who went onto to become a high level ref.

 

[Bohemian Toffee]

I can`t think of a single player ( off the top of my head ) who went onto to become a high level ref.

I can't think of a single player who knows the rules.

 

[Bullens Rd]

Bring back Uriah Rennie, was pure kwol him.

 

[COYBL25]

I can't think of a single player who knows the rules.

Which is another one of the differences between footy and the likes of rugby union.

The players have no choice but to learn the rules, as it`s that complicated !

 

[MrGrumpy]

Not being the 4th official tonight because he “injured”

 

[Bohemian Toffee]

Bring back Uriah Rennie, was pure kwol him.

Nope, a proper ref has to look like a Geography teacher who has been given boy's football to bump his hours up.

Paul Durkin for the win.

 

[PhilM]

Which is another one of the differences between footy and the likes of rugby union.

The players have no choice but to learn the rules, as it`s that complicated !

A rugby referee’s primary role is to interpret the rules of the game to the best of their judgment, which in layman’s terms they’re the boss of that pitch!

In football, the constant tinkering of laws and referees being dictated how to officiate means they aren’t truly in control of the pitch; theres comes the mistakes.

I remember playing as lad and complaining about a knock-on, “Sir, it was a knock on.” Simple reply - “No it wasn’t!” and that was the end of it.