Bent Whistle

I was watching the highlights of the Chelsea game (COME ON VILLA!) on both Sky Sports and BBC. I often watch both as you get a fairer picture of the game rather than the bits that one channel deemed was worthy of viewing (i.e. All the Chelsea chances).

Phil Thompson had said at the end of the game that Chelsea were getting all the decisions to go their way: A possible foul on our keeper for their goal and a blatent red card for Makelele (On Angel) were the most notable.

Either he or one of the commentators said that the teams at the top often tend to get the rub of the green. But is that necessarily the right way round?

Could it also be argued that the teams that get the rub of the green end up at the top?

There have been several games I've watched where the referee has consistantly favoured one team over another (Arsenal vs. Wigan last season for example) but there is never any hint of bribary from the pundits or the opposition.

Surely if this whole bung business is testiment to anything in football, it's that there are people that will be corrupted by money and that there are people out to corrupt them with money.

Why do we assume that a referee is somehow untouchable?

More importantly, why does no-one ever even hint that they might be corrupt?

Just look at what happened in Italy. That wasn't in isolation either. There has been corruption in the French league as well.

Don't get me wrong I'm not saying that every time a big decision goes the wrong way that it is due to bribery. Yesterday's game at Spurs is an example. The referee made a mistake in awarding that penalty and admitted as much. They're allowed to make mistakes, they're only human (I think).

It looks rigged when a referee consistently gives favour to one side over another in areas of the pitch that could potentially result in a match-changing event. A good sign is how far up the pitch your team wins free kicks compared to others:
A dodgy referee will always give you free kicks near the centre circle. They will also award a foul in your own half when the opposition doesn't look like scoring.
This is done to 'even out' the game statistically.

However if you get a free kick or even a penalty but still feel aggrieved by a decision that the opposition were given then it is most likely because you're Rafael Benitez.

P.S. Going to the Spurs game next Saturday. First live Villa game this season - excited!