Mark Clattenburg is not fit to referee
Saturday, February 17, 2007
I've just watched Cardiff City overcome a twelve-man Leeds United after having two players sent off. It was a quite amazing game - Michael Chopra scoring his third free-kick in as many home games to win the game for City on the stroke of half time.
But the match will be remembered for the worst officiating most fans will see in their lives. To be fair to the referee, Mark Clattenburg, he was weighed down somewhat by his enormous ego and tragic misconception of his own place in the world.
Almost every decision the referee made was incorrect. Crucially, he preferred to put his own pride before players' safety by booking players for making legitimate complaints about some horrendous fouls from a dirty Dennis Wise-inspired Leeds team.
Then, in the second half he gave Chopra a second yellow card for leading with his arms while jumping with the chap who had just elbowed him in the face.
Worse was to come. A Leeds defender did a turn as Gordon Banks, deliberately preventing a goal with his arm. Our hero, Mark Notvergoodenburg gave a penalty but didn't even give the defender a yellow card.
Shortly afterwards, Cardiff midfielder Simon Walton was pulled down midway through the Leeds half and... Mark Crapenburg sent him off for diving.
Cardiff down to nine men - Ninian Park became a fortress. Every City tackle was cheered and the players, buoyed by full back Kevin McNaughton's inspired performance at centre half, duly delivered.
Leeds, by contrast, were a sorry outfit, failing even to make the most of a three-man advantage. I was there when City beat a then top of the Premiership Leeds team in the FA cup five years ago. The mighty have truly fallen, and will probably continue to fall despite a massive helping hand from a man who should watch the match video and then never step foot on a football pitch again.
Labels: Bluebirds, Cardiff City 1-0 Leeds United, Dennis Wise, Mark Clattenburg, Michael Chopra, referee, rubbish, Simon Walton
posted by Blamerbell @ 6:54 pm,
4 Comments:
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At 8:13 pm,
Martin Eaglestone said...
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The joys of football, although I recall Leeds being similarly criticised at several other clubs. However an enjoyable posting for other football fans and suitably blooged
http://martin-eaglestone.blogspot.com/2007/02/blogger-in-blood-pressure-alert.html -
At 9:32 pm,
Glyn Davies said...
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I still think Dave Jones should have been a touch more circumspect in his comments about the ref. He could pay a price for opening his mouth too wide.
But I thought he dealt with the offensive remarks from the animals who call themselves Leeds fans concerning accusations that Jones has been found innocent of. This is what drove him to be so critical of the ref. He should have left that to you -
At 9:46 pm,
Blamerbell said...
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I didn't hear the alleged dodgy chants from either set of fans.
I did, however, observe the Leeds fans try and break the police line in a surge towards the Cardiff end, though the referee will probably blame us for that too! -
At 7:51 am,
tim thomas said...
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Unfortunately true! Great atmosphere at Ninian Park with impeccable behaviour from the Cardiff faithful, but I imagine the media will once again blame Cardiff fans for the Leeds behaviour, who were vehement on causing disorder.
The next 3 games are crucial!!
WBA (a)
Preston (h)
Birmingham (a)
