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WEBB EXPLAINS WHY HE DITCHED TV FOR VIDEO REVIEW

Retired pro referee Howard Webb is moving around the Major League Soccer (MLS) where Video Technology is being adopted.


The highly revered football match official moved from the New York Stadium to New York City as he spearheads the implementation of the technology in North America’s top flight.

Webb is overseeing the development, education, assessment and assignment of Video Assistant Referees in the MLS from the Manhattan office. He feels it is a long way from his hometown of Rotherham but he could not pass up the chance to head the refereeing innovation.

“When I started refereeing in 1989 in Rotherham’s local leagues, to think that I’m here in New York now heading up the video review project, you just wouldn’t have believed it,” he said.

He revealed that he was approached by the MLS to head the video review project so he accepted as it was “a really good opportunity” to combine field experience with recent TV work.

“I’ve enjoyed every moment of it. It is an exciting, challenging project,” he says. Continue reading WEBB EXPLAINS WHY HE DITCHED TV FOR VIDEO REVIEW

Divers will be punished

Howard Webb believes that the introduction of Video Assistant Referee system will put an end to diving within the game.


He said that divers have been affecting the team negatively and that it is high time to bring this to an end.

The former referee said that it is never easy for a referee to distinguish a dive from a genuine foul in the heat of the action but with Video Assistant Referee system this can become easier.

Video Assistant Referee system has been tried in some matches and will be introduced in the FA Cup this coming season.

Howard Webb who knows work for MLS said that they would be using Video Assistant Referee system this season and they will see how it goes.

He believes that the system will be a major asset for referees and will allow them to make decision better and fairer for all parties. He believes that this needs to be coupled with new rules for retrospective punishment so that players know that they will be punished if they try to cheat on the pitch. Continue reading Divers will be punished

Howard Webb wants video technology to be implemented

Former professional referee Howard Webb has recently stated that he is working towards having video technology to be put into use for official matches and especially for international matches involving the FIFA World Cup.


There was an incident that occurred over 7 years ago which involved Republic of Ireland and France facing off against each other in a two-legged football play-off match that saw the French side coming out on top with a final scoreboard of 2-1 as they qualified for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

In this FIFA World Cup qualifying play-off match between Republic of Ireland and France, something extremely controversial happened as Thierry Henry was shown touching the ball with his left hand before slipping it over to his teammate William Gallas who edged the victory for France.

After the qualification match was over, Thierry Henry himself admitted that it was a hand-ball as he said: “Yes, there was hand, but I’m not the referee. ‘Toto’ (SébastienSquillaci) was going for the front, I was behind two Irishmen, the ball ricocheted and hit my hand. Of course, I continued to play. The referee did not whistl ‘hand’ but I can’t say there wasn’t hand’’

The own player admitted to have made a hand-ball and Howard Webb wants to stop things like these from occurring in the future and this is why the former referee is working towards having video technology implemented in matches. Continue reading Howard Webb wants video technology to be implemented

CLATTENBURG QUITS THE PREMIER LEAGUE

Mark Clattenburg, one of the most regarded referees in the world, has quit the Premier League, according to reports.

The referee has moved to the Middle East, taking a role with the Saudi Arabian Football Federation.

Clattenburg officiated the FA Cup, Champions League and Euro tournaments last year. His last game in charge was the Arsenal Hull match. As news of his exit filtered around, the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) confirmed his departure through a statement, praising his effort to the English game.

“PGMOL would like to wish Mark Clattenburg well as he prepares for his move to the Saudi Arabian Football Federation. Since joining the PGMOL Select Group in 2004, Mark developed into one of our top officials, refereeing at the highest level and setting standards for others to follow. Continue reading CLATTENBURG QUITS THE PREMIER LEAGUE

MADRID STARSCRITICIZE FIFA’S VIDEO TECH PLANS

Real Madrid’s 2-o win over Club America, a Mexican team during the club World Cup semi-final saw the footballing body, FIFA make use of video replays in a trial usage.


However, the technology was during the match, blasted by Luka Modric and Cristiano Ronaldo after it took nearly a minute for Ronaldo’s injury goal to be confirmed as confusion took over the pitch.

During the match where the technology was being tried for the first time by FIFA, Enrique Caceres, Paraguayan referee, signaled that he was checking with a video assistant referee to know if the goal should be allowed to stand.

After waving for play on initially, Carceres then went on to award the goal without making use of the replay footage available to him on a side of the pitch

Modric, former Spurs midfielder had said about the technology,

“It is a new system, even a new event, and I do not like it very much,”

“That is because I think it can cause a kind of confusion and we have not had it explained to us in too much detail.” Continue reading MADRID STARSCRITICIZE FIFA’S VIDEO TECH PLANS

Remember how Carragher avoided a red card?

Sky Sport pundits Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville talk about how influencing referees had helped them as former footballers diffuse potential tough situations.


Carragher mentioned he was avoided getting sent off as he talked his way out. The game between Liverpool and Manchester United on Monday night is keenly awaited, and both pundits shared former experienced playing in such high profile games.

Carragher said when both sides met in 2011, he avoided a red card when he was tackled Red Devils winger Nani.
“I was on favourable terms with the referee Phil Dowd. I got him on my own, pulled him and said ‘he just beat me with skills.’ Everyone is fighting and I got him over like an experienced pro. Did I think it was a red card at the time? Oh yeah. I’ve seen the reaction of all the players but like I said, I got Phil Dowd on his own, had a word with him and we came to some sort of a deal,” Carragher revealed.
Continue reading Remember how Carragher avoided a red card?

CARRAGHER: COSTA LUCKY AGAINST WEST HAM

Sky Sports Pundit Jamie Carragher says that Spain international Diego Costa was lucky for all the actions he meted out to West Ham in their first game of the new campaign.


The game started with Chelsea being the favourite to get the win, but West Ham made them fight hard to get the win. Chelsea dominated the game but couldn’t quite get the goals in. Imeeidtaley after the break, West Ham’s Antonio pulled Azpilicueta in the box, forcing the referee to blow for a penalty. Eden Hazard took the kick and scored Chelsea’s 5000th goal in top flight football.

In the 75th minute, French play maker Payet sent a low but goal-bound free kick but the wall deflected the ball out for a West Ham corner. Payet sent another brilliant effort from the corner, James Collins heads it down but it was blocked with the hand by a Chelsea player, as the calls for a penalty are ongoing, the ball drops again but Collins makes no mistake as he sends the ball to the back of the net with a left-footed volley.

Costa already picked up a yellow card in the course of the game, yet he launched a reckless challenge unto the Hammers goalkeeper Adrian. The referee decided to ignore the calls for another yellow card which would have sent Costa out of the game in the first of the season. Carragher said: “This is a straight red card, that challenge there, it’s typical Costa, it happens too often.” West Ham suffered a second affliction when same Costa scored the match winner in the 89th minute to give Chelsea full three points.
Continue reading CARRAGHER: COSTA LUCKY AGAINST WEST HAM

OWEN COYLE, HASHAN TILIKARATNE AND HOWARD WEBB CELEBRATE BIRTHDAY

The social media was full of birthday wishes for Owen Coyle as he celebrates another year alive.


Coyle is one of the greatest Scotland football players. He played in the forward position for his country and is arguably one of the best talents. The former star player featured for over 14 teams with the pinnacle of his career being when he played for Airdrieonians for three years. There, he made over 123 appearances and scored 50 goals from 1990 to 1993.

Since leaving active football, he has managed football teams, enjoying his share of good and bad moments. He led the Bolton Wanderers in its tough moments in 2012. He currently leads the Blackburn Rovers team but he never gave up as the coach of the Wanderers until he was sacked. He celebrates his 50th birthday on July 14th and fans made out time to appreciate the coach.

Former Sri Lanka captain Hashian Tillakaratne also shares the same date as the former Scotland player. Tillakaratne was born in 1967, so celebrates his 49th birthday. Howard Webb, retired popular referee turned 45 of the same day. The former English Premier League referee is one of the top referees when he was active in the game, blowing at many tough top tier games at the League and world level. He was the one who was in charge at the 2010 World Cup final in Brazil where Spain won defeating the Netherlands. Continue reading OWEN COYLE, HASHAN TILIKARATNE AND HOWARD WEBB CELEBRATE BIRTHDAY

Howard Webb talks about the greatest mistake in his career

Former international referee Howard Webb has stated that the greatest mistake of his career has been in a match opposing Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspurs.


He said that he awarded a penalty in the game and that now he believes that the penalty was unnecessary.

He said that the game was back in 2009, and Manchester United was trailing 2-0 at Old Trafford. Wayne Rooney played a wonderful through ball that set up Michael Carrick one on one against the keeper. Gomes, who was the goalkeeper at that time, came rushing and got a touch on the ball. At that moment, Howard Webb awarded a penalty despite the fact that Gomes has a hand on the ball.

He said that he did not take into account Gomes protest and believed that at that time he took the best decision. He admits that he misread the situation and as a result made a wrong decision to award the penalty. Cristiano Ronaldo scored the goal on the penalty and allowed Manchester United to come back into the game. Continue reading Howard Webb talks about the greatest mistake in his career

HOWARD WEBB STILL IN CHARGE EVEN OFF THE FIELD

Retired referee, Howard Webb, has been making comments on recent EPL games especially in light of controversies as the season almost ends.

Referee Jon Moss sent off Leicester goal forward Jamie Vardy for diving and awarded West Ham a contentious penalty when he pointed to the spot after minimal contact between Andy Carroll and Jeff Schlupp in the closing seconds of a crucial game. The game eventually ended in a 2-2 draw.


Retired but well respected referee, Howard Webb said the Vardy, who could get miss more games if found guilty of abusing the referee in anger, said he does not believe the talented striker has a case to answer.

“The FA will look at whether to punish Vardy further for berating Moss.

“They extended Diego Costa’s ban recently for his aggression towards Michael Oliver but Vardy might be saved by the fact he left the field fairly quickly.

“Screaming at the referee like that wouldn’t happen if this was a Champions League game, as Leicester face next season. Refereeing as a foreign official was always easier as players didn’t know you well so feared and respected you more,” Webb wrote.

On a completely different case, the former referee hit out at the decision to remove Kevin Friend from Tottenham’s clash with Stoke after fans made uproar online. Many Spurs fans criticized the decision to appoint the referee since he lived in Leicester. They accused the referee of possible bias, especially since he has attended their games with friends and family. With spurs being the main rival for the EPL title, the referee was changed. Continue reading HOWARD WEBB STILL IN CHARGE EVEN OFF THE FIELD