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Look, I know that we are already way too deep into the refereeing vs tribalism saga that threatens to sap all enjoyment out of football on social media. And I know that Mike Dean made things instantly 10 times worse through his own big mouth and bad opinions. But not every red card has to be this social media mega-event that causes wild accusations and general mania.
If you kick through a player to get the ball, even if you do get the ball eventually, it is a foul. If you commit a foul and deny an obvious goalscoring opportunity outside the penalty area – which we usually describe as “being the last man” – it’s a red card. Virgil van Dijk did both of those things.
And yet instantly, all hell breaks loose. You get accusations of corruption against Liverpool by supporters who presumably missed the bit of the match when Trent Alexander-Arnold was lucky not to be sent off (although, the way he played, Newcastle probably didn’t mind too much). We are in the age when everything must be controversial because it plays into our tribalist psyche. These people aren’t interested in “correct” decisions, whatever they say. They’re interested in self-interest.
A STRAIGHT RED CARD FOR VIRGIL VAN DIJK!
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) August 27, 2023pic.twitter.com/29EDsiMPC3
This season there is an attempt to clamp down on dissent and abuse of officials (my personal view is that this has gone too far already – lots of supporters believe that officials “deserve” the abuse or caveat their criticism of it). If that is going to work, we need to come down hard on those who openly swear in the referee’s face and refuse to immediately leave the field after being sent off. Van Dijk did both of those things too and should have his ban extended.
from Football - inews.co.uk https://ift.tt/sOdUZt9
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