If PGMOL were in charge of England vs. Argentina at the 1986 World Cup, they probably would have allowed Diego Maradona’s “Hand of God” goal, but not his incredible dribble as a “foul” in the build-up. The bodies responsible for training, managing and appointing match officials are desperately trying to dig themselves out of the mess they have created.
The United players’ reaction was essentially a confession. The eventual scorer, Matheus Cunha, looked embarrassed as he drove away to celebrate after scoring into the back of the net. Guilty Brian Mbeumo looked like a child with his hand in the cookie jar.
The thousands of people watching the game on television knew at first glance that it was a handball foul. Instead, PGMOL insisted on making something that should be simple as complicated as possible, so we ended up with a lengthy VAR check and still a bad decision was made.
Making the wrong decision the first time is something else, and to some extent understandable. But being told you’re wrong, seeing evidence that you’re wrong, and still reinforcing your wrong decision is another.
It’s clear that PGMOL are chaining themselves to perfection, but football is a sport in which perfection can never be achieved, and that’s the beauty of football. The Premier League Match Center said the goal was allowed because Mbeumo’s handball was “accidental”.
That’s undeniable, but please explain how a team can gain a substantial advantage from an accidental handball and score a goal that would not have happened without the handball. Forest manager Vitor Pereira has claimed that managers and players no longer understand the law, a sign that change is needed this summer.
Referees in the Premier League are ruining football and we need to have an honest conversation. I enjoy sports, but what I’ve seen week in and week out this season is torture.
Clubs should take a stand against PGMOL and demand serious reform of refereeing in this country. Like the government, PGMOL is an organization that is currently not fit for purpose.
