'I don't care if he is okay or not'
Well that was shades of Graham Poll at White Hart Lane, only worse. I didn't even think that was possible, but Chris Foy managed to find a lower place. I shouldn't be surprised, considering his previous record. In the most recent Chelsea match Foy officiated he ignored a blatant penalty on Malouda in the first quarter of the game, then awarded a dubious penalty to Fulham and compounded the error by dismissing Alex (whose challenge actually won the ball). And of course who could forget the 2010 FA Cup Final in which he allowed the likes of Michael Brown to repeatedly kick Chelsea players with impunity, before deciding that Prince-Boateng severing Ballack's ankle ligaments and Dindane going in late, high, and studs-first on Ashley Cole were not challenges worthy of red cards. Evidently Foy still has some very unique views on what constitutes dangerous play, since yesterday he judged that a mistimed tackle that played the ball without studs showing initially was a violent offense yet Hill literally kicking Sturridge three times in the first ten minutes never warranted a free kick. We won't even go into his interpretation of the 50-50 tussle between Bosingwa and SWP, though I suppose I should mention that Foy is the man who, last season, failed to award West Brom a penalty and dismiss Gary Neville for cleaning out Graham Dorrans when clean through on goal.
At least the club are not taking this latest stitch-up lying down. Preach it, AVB! I completely agree with all of his comments, especially this bit: 'I am very proud of the team. I don't have a problem with discipline, I have a problem with referees applying discipline...The judgment used was not the same.'
That is what I've been saying just about every time I use my referees-are-turd tag. I have no problem with losing as long as the players are trying their best and the other team is just better or even luckier on the day. But I have serious, serious issues with losing because the players' hard work is erased by the opposition cheating and/or officials following their own agendas. What happened on Sunday was a clear example of the latter and as AVB said it was already the third time this season.
For those keeping track, as of Match Day 9 in the league Chelsea have been denied a minimum of ten blatant penalty claims (I can make cases for about 14 off the top of my head), conceded two offside goals, had one player wrongfully dismissed, and had at least four opponents (Shawcross, Foster, Bardsley, Derry) NOT dismissed for either serious foul play or denial of clear goalscoring opportunities. Add in the League Cup and it's another penalty not given, a dubious (to say the least) penalty awarded against Chelsea, and another player erroneously dismissed. Unless you are on the FA payroll there is no way you can objectively say that there isn't something sinister and beyond dodgy when it comes to how the officials treat Chelsea.
Oh, well, at least we're used to it by now. I couldn't be more proud to support this team, and luckily no matter how many points referees steal they can never take that feeling away.
At least the club are not taking this latest stitch-up lying down. Preach it, AVB! I completely agree with all of his comments, especially this bit: 'I am very proud of the team. I don't have a problem with discipline, I have a problem with referees applying discipline...The judgment used was not the same.'
That is what I've been saying just about every time I use my referees-are-turd tag. I have no problem with losing as long as the players are trying their best and the other team is just better or even luckier on the day. But I have serious, serious issues with losing because the players' hard work is erased by the opposition cheating and/or officials following their own agendas. What happened on Sunday was a clear example of the latter and as AVB said it was already the third time this season.
For those keeping track, as of Match Day 9 in the league Chelsea have been denied a minimum of ten blatant penalty claims (I can make cases for about 14 off the top of my head), conceded two offside goals, had one player wrongfully dismissed, and had at least four opponents (Shawcross, Foster, Bardsley, Derry) NOT dismissed for either serious foul play or denial of clear goalscoring opportunities. Add in the League Cup and it's another penalty not given, a dubious (to say the least) penalty awarded against Chelsea, and another player erroneously dismissed. Unless you are on the FA payroll there is no way you can objectively say that there isn't something sinister and beyond dodgy when it comes to how the officials treat Chelsea.
Oh, well, at least we're used to it by now. I couldn't be more proud to support this team, and luckily no matter how many points referees steal they can never take that feeling away.