Match of the day

Originally Posted by reem

If the ref DIDN'T see it then something's wrong. I mean, torres could've took it off his feet for all he knew.

Did he not consult his linesman?

He did. Have no idea what the linesman told him though, maybe he wasn't looking either.

Stuart Atwell - Controversies....

Controversies

[edit] Swansea City v Gillingham

In his first League One fixture, on 2 November 2007, Attwell quickly marked his authority on the game between Swansea City and Gillingham with the 23rd minute sending off Swansea striker Warren Feeney[3]. Further decisions of Attwell's were seen to be debatable, including a disallowed goal, dismissed penalty appeal and a corner given as a goal kick[8], with the game culminating in a penalty to Swansea that was ultimately missed.
[edit] Sheffield United v Blackpool

Within six minutes of his first Championship game, on 26 December 2007, between Sheffield United and Blackpool, Attwell made a match-changing decision. Blackpool's Ian Evatt was adjudged to have committed a professional foul on Sheffield United's Billy Sharp, though replays show that there was no contact. Attwell sent Evatt off and awarded Sheffield United a penalty (which was saved by Blackpool keeper Paul Rachubka). Blackpool manager Simon Grayson questioned the Football League's decision to put such an inexperienced referee in charge of such a high pressure game.[9] Fansites after the match dubbed Attwell a 'buffoon'.[10]
[edit] Swansea City v Havant & Waterlooville

In the FA Cup 3rd Round tie between Swansea City and Havant & Waterlooville on 6 January 2008, Attwell was accused of not being able to control the players by Swansea manager Roberto Martínez after he showed a red card for a tackle on a Swansea player, which resulted in a mass scuffle.[11]
[edit] Reading's 'Ghost Goal'

On 20 September 2008, Attwell refereed a game between Watford and Reading at Vicarage Road and allowed a goal for Reading to stand which had actually gone four yards wide of the post and out for a corner, following the decision of his assistant Nigel Bannister.[12] The goal quickly became known as a 'ghost goal'.[13] It was ruled that the game would not be replayed as this would set a dangerous precedent for reversal of refereeing decisions. It reopened the debate for goal-line technology, though this looks like being a long way away, as FIFA have cancelled the goal line trials it had in place the beginning of the 2007-08 season.[citation needed]
[edit] East Midlands Derby

On 2 November 2008, Attwell refereed a game between Derby County and Nottingham Forest. He disallowed two legitimate Derby goals in the final few minutes, ruling the first goal out to give a penalty to Derby County[14] and ruling the second out for a push, a decision which particularly incensed Derby manager Paul Jewell, booked 8 players and issued a straight red to Forest midfielder Lewis McGugan, in a match that was not particularly dirty.[15] Derby boss Paul Jewell was especially vocal in his dismay at Attwell's performance, accusing the 25-year old official of 'losing control' of the game and 'robbing' the Rams of a victory.[16] The press furore around his display[14][17] saw Attwell called in for a meeting with Referee's Chief Keith Hackett,[18] and consequently axed from the following weeks fixture list,[19] though he was reinstated to the position of fourth official for Hull City vs Bolton Wanderers.
Days after the game Derby manager Paul Jewell said that a member of the Football Association had contacted him and told him that the second disallowed goal should have stood.[20]
[edit] Wigan vs West Ham

In the match between Wigan Athletic and West Ham on 6 March 2009, Attwell issued 2 red and 7 yellow cards, sending off Carlton Cole for 2 marginal yellow-card offences, failed to send off Lucas Neill for a dangerous tackle on Wigan's Lee Cattermole and then subsequently failed to control the players in the argument that followed Cattermole's red card for a tackle on Scott Parker. Wigan manager Steve Bruce said: “The game was ruined as a spectacle... In my opinion, Mr Attwell is not ready to step up to the plate.”[21][22]
[edit] West Bromwich Albion vs Chievo

A pre-season friendly on Saturday 1 August 2009 between West Bromwich Albion and Chievo was marred by a "shocking lack of respect" [23] by Attwell.
Following the sad death of former Albion player Sir Bobby Robson the previous day, the referee failed to recognise or respect a club message of condolence and minute's applause, infuriating club officials.[23][24]
[edit] Liverpool v Portsmouth

During the Liverpool vs Portsmouth game on 15 March 2010 Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard clashed with Portsmouth's Michael Brown in front of Stuart Atwell. Gerrard struck Brown with his fore-arm on the back of the Portsmouth player's head - as was clearly seen on TV. Gerrard somehow avoided punishment for the incident. He was immediately substituted by his manager Rafael Benitez in, seemingly, an admission of guilt by the Liverpool chief.
The incident received much attention and British tabloid newspaper, The Sun, referred to Attwell as "blunder referee" Stuart Attwell[25]. Several referees have expressed their opinion on the incident.[26]
[edit] Manchester City vs Wigan Athletic

Attwell was once again at the centre of controversy, when on 29 March 2010, he red carded Wigan Athletic defender Gary Caldwell and turned down numerous Manchester City penalty appeals.[27]. Wigan Athletic manager Roberto Martinez criticised the official after the game, leading to an investigation by the Premier League.[28]
[edit] Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Newcastle United

On the 28th August 2010, Stuart Attwell again attracted comments from the media for his handing out of 12 yellow cards in the game, seven of them to Wolverhampton Wanderers players. The Telegraph reported on its website that "this was yet another display which demonstrated he is simply out of his depth at this level". [29]. In addition to the bookings he also failed to award Wolverhampton a penalty when James Perch took away Matt Jarvis' legs. The Telegraph reported that the defender may conceivably have nicked the ball, in which case the decision should have been a corner. The report of the incident concluded "Naturally, Attwell awarded a goal-kick."
Reporting the same game [30] The Guardian suggested that "The referee, Stuart Attwell, tried to eclipse everybody with 12 yellow cards – four of them for fouls on Joey Barton – but the players deserve credit for their commitment in a match that was intensely competitive rather than dirty."
[edit] Arsenal vs Bolton Wanderers

Further criticism followed Mr Attwell's handling of this game. The Guardian commented 'The temperature rose. The home crowd bayed for a sending-off when Davies clashed heads with Koscielny, and Paul Robinson escaped even a booking for a reckless lunge that put Abou Diaby out of the game. But so curious was referee Stuart Attwell's analysis of events he brandished his red for a follow-through by Cahill on Chamakh that was far from the worst offence. Bolton's fury was compounded because they felt Lee had been fouled earlier in the move. "It was one of the biggest free-kicks you'll ever see," lamented Owen Coyle, who insisted Cahill's challenge was only worthy of yellow and complained the decision spoiled a well-balanced game.'[31] The BBC reported that "furious Trotters boss Owen Coyle confronted referee Stuart Attwell at the final whistle in protest at the straight red card shown to central defender Cahill in the 64th minute for a clumsy challenge on Chamakh."[32]
[edit] Liverpool v. Sunderland

On 25 September 2010, Attwell allowed a controversial Liverpool goal in a match at Anfield between Liverpool F.C. and Sunderland A.F.C.. From a free kick in his own half, Sunderland defender Michael Turner touched the ball back to goalkeeper Simon Mignolet, who apparently believed the ball was still dead. Fernando Torres ran on with the ball to draw the goalkeeper and then passed to Dirk Kuyt who scored into an empty net. Following a discussion with his assistant, Attwell deemed that the ball had been active once Turner had touched it, and Dirk Kuyt's goal was ruled valid. The game ended 2-2. [33]

The little @#%&! is only 27, that's a hell of a rap sheet already. The @#%&!.

Originally Posted by reem

If the ref DIDN'T see it then something's wrong. I mean, torres could've took it off his feet for all he knew.

Did he not consult his linesman?

Yeah, but he clearly wasn't looking when Turner passed it back. The guy's a liability. Feel sorry for him because he's been fast tracked as a PR stunt way before he's ready. He's made loads of £#%&! ups.

And another thing. When we had a perfectly good goal scored off our corner routine we had to stomach it because we were told it was "against the spirit of the game".

Well what the flying £#%&! was this then?

Originally Posted by Zorg

tbf he only led with it, he didnt swing it.

Originally Posted by Switching Off

tbf he only led with it, he didnt swing it.

Originally Posted by Zorg

That's a straight red, no question.

Originally Posted by Sullingtons

That's a straight red, no question.

He doesn't even get anywhere near the ball either.

Originally Posted by Tiberian

Everyone in the ground knew what Johnson was doing, including Torres which was why he continually looked around to see if anyone else was playing on and for the ref to stop him. Technically you could justify it, ball was dead, but it was a cheap goal, disrespectful for Torres to try it on which was why he was so desperate for Kuyt to come forward and take part.

Theft of a goal really.

end of discussion. perfectly good goal.

Originally Posted by Zorg

Yep straight red, He must be the luckiest player in the game, the things he has got away with in his career, it helps when he has pundits and journalists eating out of his hands though, refs must be influenced by all that super stevie brainwashing.

Only been on 2 minutes and I'm already cringing at Ginola

Originally Posted by Zorg

I swear to Christ, I just don't know why players stay down when they've been deliberately fouled. Why the £#%&! don't they get up, throw the other @#%&! to the ground and jump on their knees with all their force.

Scouse £#%&!ing @#%&!.

Originally Posted by Pop

I swear to Christ, I just don't know why players stay down when they've been deliberately fouled. Why the £#%&! don't they get up, throw the other @#%&! to the ground and jump on their knees with all their force.

It'll be a lifetime ban, happens quite often at Sunday league level.

Just read The Mirror's report on Liverpool game.
No mention of Gerard's elbow or Reina's foul on Wellbeck.
First goal barely talked about at all.
The difference in how this would have been reported had it been in United's favour is staggering.

It's alright, I'll get the Sun later, it'll blame the scousers somehow.