Sep 29 2008
Where Is Ref Accountability?
Bolton manager Gary Megson is understandably enraged at the referee Rob Styles decision over the weekend, to award Cristiano Ronaldo a penalty over a fair challenge from Jlloyd Samuel. Anyone watching the match would clearly witness Samuel winning the ball well before making contact with Ronaldo, as well as Ronaldo’s unique ability to throw himself to the ground when any contact is made by the defender.
How Rob Styles was possessed to award a penalty for a fair tackle, that was timed to perfection by Samuel, I will never understand. Not even Ferguson appeared in any way happy about the decision, as it took away all life from the match by deflating a good Bolton side into eventually succumbing to the United attack, all off a penalty that never should have been given.
And apparently upon viewing the replay himself, Rob Styles agrees, as the official has publicly apologized to Bolton and Gary Megson for blowing the call, and awarding a false penalty. But where’s the accountability?
What incentive does Rob Styles have to make the correct calls if there is no punishment for failing to do so? Clearly something needs to change, before more officials begin to decide the outcome of matches, instead of the players involved.
