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Football managers and referees were destined never to get on but rantings at the League Managers Association meeting in Coventry on Monday suggest a total breakdown in the relationship is now on the cards.
Meanwhile, the Football Association sit on the sidelines, wringing their hands and muttering about Respect while what little remains of it gurgles down the pitch-side drains.
When you witness a spat like this, it's tempting to become a partisan of one side or other but here that's to be avoided. Far better to say, a plague on all their houses.
Take the managers. Of course, when a decision goes against them, it's tough. But do managers deserve Respect? They love to dish it out but even the best of them can't take it.
Look how badly Arsene Wenger and Sir Alex Ferguson respond to criticism. And when do managers ever stand up and be counted the way they expect referees to?
When are managers going to crack down on abusive behaviour by their players or some of the near-criminal tackles that go in so regularly these days? It just doesn't happen, does it?
So managers don't have completely clean hands and their moral high ground is no bigger than a pimple on a rock cake. But that doesn't mean they are wrong in protesting about the ineptitude of so many referees and the lack of accountability.
The referees' assessment system is a joke. We are allowed to know which hospitals might kill us off with a dodgy operation or how a school is doing in terrific detail but the process of assessing referees remains a state secret. Why? The suspicion has to be that the system is so flawed, they dare not tell us more about it because it would simply increase disillusionment.
Referees are still drawn from too narrow a section of society; the kind of saddos with nothing better to do with their young years than to take up refereeing. A sensible idea would be to fast-track former professionals, most of whom would automatically command respect and know all about the little dodges the pros get up to.
It's great that John Salako has recently qualified as a referee but he should be the rule, not the exception.
Finally, the FA. As sensible observers we cannot overlook the way they pretend not to see the elephant in the room, technology. You know my views, so I'll take them in short order. It's inconceivable that if football was invented yesterday, technology wouldn't have a key role to play. And it's merely perverse to deny it an important place now, when it's technology in the hands of fans and managers, courtesy of TV replays, that proves beyond doubt how poor so many vital decisions by referees are.
There can be no respect when the outcome of so many important matches is affected either by what the ref spotted that didn't happen or didn't spot that did.
And until the FA introduce technology to help officials, their Respect charter might just as well be used as lavatory paper.
Gunners thriller proves that the Premier is in a league of its own
What a fantastic game Arsenal v Manchester United was. It had everything — passion, pace, skill, athleticism and
end-to-end action sustained from first kick to last. It was a terrific advertisement for football and the Premier League.
FIFA's Sepp Blatter and UEFA's Michel Platini ritualistically attack the Premier League and there are no shortages of pundits in England who agree with them. It takes a game like this to make us all aware of how much good the competition has done for English football.
I started watching top-flight football in the Shed at Stamford Bridge in 1970. There was a lot of skill on display then, too, but overall too much English football was route-one stuff, played on mud heaps, in front of fans massed together on primitive, urine-soaked terraces.
Now not only are our stadia the envy of the world but so too is the competitiveness and entertainment of the Premier League. Games like this are better than anything seen anywhere else on the planet and, amid criticisms of the cost of seats, the price of a burger etc, we must remember how much better the product is than it used to be.
Saturday's game had me buzzing for the rest of the day, not because I am a fan of either team but because watching it was so exhilarating. And only one conclusion is possible; the Premier League, for all its faults, is well worth defending.
Triesman has gone soft
David Norris celebrated his goal for Ipswich with a gesture looking suspiciously like he was waving his arms around as if in handcuffs, in support of his mate Luke McCormick, the former Plymouth goalkeeper jailed for killing two children in a drink-driving incident.
Ipswich, to their credit, have fined the fool but thus far the Football Association have done nothing. Why?
Come on, Toughie Triesman, we expect better than that. Or are you another example of a big talker who, the moment you get the job, fall victim to what we used to call in Whitehall “agency capture” — behaving like the idiots you are sent in to sort out?
Admirable Joe
Even the Americans hail Joe Calzaghe as the best boxer on the planet, yet he could still walk down most High Streets in this country and not be recognised. A bi-product, dare I suggest, of top boxing being the exclusive preserve of satellite television.
Calzaghe has to be admired because of his amazing work ethic. Totally dedicated to relentless training since the age of 13, Calzaghe said last weekend: “Talent alone doesn't make a great fighter.” Nor a great footballer, yet how few of our bar-fly players realise it.
Celtic's blight of bigotry
At Celtic Park last weekend, they couldn't have a minute's silence for Remembrance Day because it wouldn't have been respected. So they had a round of applause instead to honour the sacrifice of those who died to save us and around 200 Celtic fans walked out.
How sad that Glasgow football should still be trapped in this appalling time warp of bigotry and ancient hatreds.
Talking of bigotry, whatever possessed Bernie Ecclestone to write off blatant racist abuse directed at Lewis Hamilton as “a joke”.
I never thought he would come out with that kind of garbage in public. There's only one old joke in this sorry mess, Bernie, and it's you.
Reader views (30)
David Norris's idiotic and callous behaviour was never going to be punished by the Football Association. There is a tiresome latitude given to any of the studded fools who misbehaves..watch out for Drogba's non punishment.
- C Adams, Madrid, Spain
What about Rangers nazi right wing antics away in europe for two seasons running.
I suppose the nazi salutes are the Rangers way?
- Mark, st albans
Even worse today. reported in a Scottish Gutter rag of a paper the Daily Record. A celtic spokesman said fans Who were ejected from the area before the Game against Kilmarnock on Wednesday Because they were seated in the wrong area NOT because they were against the protest but the wrong area. this area by the way is where the Yobs and Bigots from the Green brigade sit section 111 The English media and politicians should be taking this club to task also the scottish media who blatantly pander to celtic and the whole Anti british brigade It is also a sad day when the first Scottish minister declines to say anything Another half wit IMHO willing to take the queens shilling and bask in his wee moment of Glory you will never break the union
- Rab Picken, Essex
At long last a journalist tells the truth about the IRA's Sporting Wing, Celtic Football Club.
For years they have gone unchallenged about their pro-terrorist singing and chanting which gets swept under the carpet and even called political by morally bankrupt journalists.
A minutes applause to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice for this country is nothing short of disgusting.
Well done for publishing this Mr Mellor, if you do a little more research you will find out just exactly what a vile support follows Celtic FC as their list of crimes against all things lawful and British is endless.
They are Scotlands shame.
- Vvv, Bishops Gate
The irony of this story is that Celtis FC have as their chairman,an ex British Government cabinet minister in the guise of John Reid.
As some are prone to say"You couldn't make it up"
- Peter Grant, United Kingdom
This is yet another example of the extremism shown by supporters of that club,who hate all things British Perhaps the author could also have said that the week before Celtic supporters assaulted two poppy sellers outside the ground of Heart of Midlothian
- Adam Murray, Windmillhill.UK
this bile has been seeping out of the of parkhead for numerous of years now.they are a scottish club who wants to be irish but not just your ordinary irish civilised person,no they want to be the evil republican bigot that hate evrythinh this proud nation stands for.
they go out of their way to be offended by all things british,claim they are still being oppressed yet show no shame in giving a minute of their hate filled time to show respect for all the men and woman who died in securing our freedom.
even after this shamefull event our press up here in scotland failed to report it accurately and you would have been hard pressed to find any report of this in our national tabloids.
i am just glad that you mr mellor has seen fit to report this disgraceful episode and i thank you for naming and shaming the club behind it and make no mistake they fully supported this applause judging by the stadium announcers comments that its the'CELTC WAY'
NO THAT WAS NOT A SPELLING MISTAKE!
GSTQ
LEST WE FORGET
- Robert Deavy, glasgow,scotland
It's a bit rich for Mellor to decry the lack of respect for referees while at the same time dismissing them as 'saddos'. And the idea of using former professionals as refs is also dubious at best - from the way they dispute nearly every decision it's patently obvious that most of the overpaid 'stars' haven't a clue on the laws of the game.
- Paul, London
Well done David celtic should be taken to task regarding this . It should be brought to all your attention that the Disgusting applause in any case was not for all our fallen heroes but In fact as the stadium announcer Stated for the ex celtic players who were servicemen lets do it the celtic way by applause. Also the 200 who walked out of the ground and had a protest in he car park at the main entrance before the game where Peter Lawwell and John Reid enter the stadium . This protest was in fact for the celtic players wearing poppies on their shirts for showing respect for all our fallen heroes. yet nothing from two men in charge who love to spout about problems with other clubs and Establishments the silence is sickening to say the least it time the English media took this story to Celtic and shame the Scottish media for a blatant cover up
- Rab Picken, Essex
It is not only this sad episode that angered many it is also the fact the SPL caved in and along with the board of CFC, pandered to the needs of their anti-British stance.
To desecrate the ultimate sacrifice given by our soldiers during WW1 & WW2 is the lowest of the low and to think it was John Reid who sanctioned this adds even more insult. If these people want to support Irish terrorism and Irish traditions, then why not move to ROI and claim their benefits etc.
The previous week at Tynecastle Celtic fans blatantly sang IRA songs for which the media in Scotland once again turned a blind eye by calling it political, astonishing to sing support for an illegal organization which murdered British troops and blew up London and Manchester but to name a few.
Well done for reporting this maybe someone will take notice of their Anti British propaganda and tell them "Why don't you go home"
Lest we Forget
- Billy Mcpheat, Lashkar Gah, Afgahnistan
celtic had a 2 minutes applause for fallen celtic players only - not British soldiers in general - this was announced beforehand
They had the applause as they knew their "fans" would not homour a minutes silence - they have previous. Diana - Queen Mum - 9/11 and the Ibrox disaster - all besmirched!
50,000 Rangers fans gave returning soldiers a hero's welcome a week previously on the park at Ibrox - Celtic told the soldiers they can come to parkhead as long as they didn't wear their uniforms
celtic play anti British songs prior to every home game - The fields of Athenrye and Let the People sing - I urge you check the lyrics out
The press in Scotland is cowed by Reid and his cohorts
This putrid anti British orginisation should be shut down!
- Ian Nicol, Aberdeen, Scotland
Refresshing to see someone report on the behaviour in the East end of Glasgow . Unfortunately it was spoiled by including ALL of Glasgow in the wording. May I suggest that David Mellor does a bit of research into how the troops were received at Ibrox the week before? Unfortunately the anti-British bigotry and hatred from Celtic tends to go completely unchecked in Scotland and mostly unreported by the Scottish media.
- Scott, Lincolnshire
A total lack of respect from Celtic Football Club which has been swept under the carpet by all and sundry in Scotland's media. The lack of respect shown to our fallen heroes should have had more exposure to show the public the deep rooted hatred this club has for anything British.
- Rob Crerar, perth, australia
Celtic fans previous 'minutes silence' have consisted of 20 seconds. As soon as the rumbles from the stands begin the ref bricks himself and blows the whistle.
Are Londoners aware that Cetlic fans disrupted a minutes silence for the 11th of September 2001? Not only that but at the next Old Firm game they mocked the American captain and Rangers midfielder with aeroplane signals.
They travel down to Manchester Utd and sing in support of the terrorists that blew the city centre up.
They have supporters clubs named after IRA terrorists. Many of Celtic fans despise the UK and everything it stands for.
Rangers fans are not perfect but this is the Celtic fans mindset that we have to put with every year.
- James Molloy, Dumfries
I see rosses is trying the old cover up act that the sellick fans do. Was he maybe counting the fans as they walked out or is it the Seville calculator (only the wrong way round).
60 walked out and were joined by 140 outside singing vile PRO IRA songs and generally anything Anti British.
I would urge ALL papers, in England especially, to dig deep into this clubs history and indeed the history of the fans. Even the REAL Irish people call them Plastic's.
Rotten to the core from day ONE - Sellick FC Sweeping since 1888
- Ifyecannae, Glasgow, GREAT BRITAIN
Ist sad to think that Bigotry and Hatred for this country takes precendent over basic Humanity and thanks for the sacrifice that has been made by those that have fallen at the various wars..
To clap is bad enough but to walk out and sing Pro-IRA songs outside the stadium was disgusting
A Public Apology to Poppy Scotland should be made by Celtic FC if they have any Dignity at all
- Jane Pollock, Glasgow
Rosses
Dignity? Was this the dignity the green one third of Glasgow showed the week before at Tynecastle.
songs in support of terrorists and ethnic cleansers is hardly dignified.
- William Anderson, Glasgow
David
You are so right about the referee situation. It is appalling to watch the obvious potential and real conflicts that arise during a televised match, which is all I see these days. A number of things need to be done, now, to retain whatever dignity there is still in the beautiful game. For sheer heart-pounding, jumping-up-and-down excitement, nothing beats EPL. It is fast, tough, and sometimes brilliant. It rarely is dull. But a little technology help for referees -- and it already exists -- is the goal-line cams. Make that part of the game's "officials" if you like. Any doubt, consult that immediately, and case closed. The rest of it boils down to attracting the right kind of people to become referees and linesmen (I cannot call them referees' assistants yet). These people have to be trained properly, must be as fit as the proverbial fiddles, and tough-minded enough to stand up to those players who would try to intimidate. Send enough players off for dirty play, fine them heavily for repeated offenses, ban them from playing, without pay, and after a set number of offenses fine their clubs, and I think the dirty play might stop.
A referee, backed by his association, must send off immediately any player who puts a hand on the ref, or unduly demonstrates against a ref's decision. IT USED TO BE THAT WAY. And it worked well.
- Jac Mills, knoxville, tennessee, usa
i dont see this applauding as respect I see it as celebrating the deaths of all those that have died or were murdered by the IRA which this club does nothing about week after week when the IRA singing section are in full voice with their Anti-Britsh/protestant sectarian songs which the Scottish media turn a deaf ear as well as those so called match observers which fail to report these songs.
- Jim, Glasgow in Scotland
Nice try Rosses. Widely reported that up to 200 walked out. However, the numbers are not important as;
1/ When they did walk out they went to the front of the stadium and went through their repertoire of republican and IRA songs. You failed to speak about this in your comment.
2/ Celtic as a club are now hiding behind these people who walked out and are blaming them for the decision to have the applause. In truth, as in many occassins before, any applause would have been drowned out by a chorus anti-British boo's.
You know it and I know it.
- Davesmith, Cambridge, UK
Anti British racism, anti Protestant songs, support of terrorists in N Ireland and institutional hatred of the local Scots is all in a days work for Celtic FC.
This club and its hatred has been covered up by the Scottish media forever and a day now. However we are not going to allow these bigots to disrespect our dead and disabled servicemen ever again.
Scottish and British Rangers fan!
- William Anderson, Glasgow
Well done to David Mellor for highlighting what has been going on for a long time now in Glasgow, that is Celtic FC and its supporters’ blatant anti-British stance. For a club that supposedly prides itself in being the first British club to win the old European Cup, this latest bigoted episode merely emphasises where their heart really lies.
Saturday's disgraceful disrespect is the latest - and worst - of a long line of unwarranted and bigoted behaviour from the club; the booing of the Queen Mother's death and failure to observe a minute's silence for Princess Diana being just a couple of items of note of their shame.
Hopefully with this article from David Mellor, more people will be aware of the real problems that exist in the east end of Glasgow at Celtic Park.
Well done again, David - the truth is out there!
- Mr. J Mckee, Ayrshire, Scotland
Very sad when think that Celtic have the former Secretary of State for Defence, Dr John Reid, as the Chairman of their club. Also note that every other Glasgow club respected the minutes silence.
- John Glen, Glasgow, UK
Thank goodness for some unbiased comment on the situation in Scotland. Celtics institutionalised sectarianism has been almost completely covered up by their friends in the newspapers up there.
I for one would like to see a broader exposé on this putrid organisation and would urge you to dig a bit deeper.
- Davesmith, Cambridge, UK
Celtic's actions on Saturday were nothing more than disgusting.
- Vanguard Lad, Glasgow United Kingdom
The vile anti-British bigotry that pervades Celtic Football Club finally stepped beyond denial last weekend. The virtual lack of public condemnation in Scotland says much for the control exercised in the media by these enemies within.
- Bill Petrie, Aberdeen, Scotland
The information given on the walkout at Celtic Park are wrong.
20 people out of a crowd of 60,000 walked out. They were joined by a group of around 100 assorted left wing groups (Socialist Worker, Solidarity etc)out side the ground protesting against former defence secretary John Reid, a Celtic FC Chairman. The vast majority of Celtic fans gave the remembrance tribute the dignity it deserved.
- Rosses, Glasgow
Mr Mellor.
I hope you realise that is was only the Green half of Glasgow that behaved in this disgraceful, disrespectful manner.
Rangers Football Club has recently returned soldiers from Afghanistan on the pitch at their last home match and they were given a rousing reception and a standing ovation from everyone in attendance.
Don't confuse us with those pathetic creatures that lurk at Celtic Park. We are PROUD to be British.
- Gordon Hamilton, Glasgow, Scotland
Celtic FC and their lack of respect to our fallen heroes is quite despicable. Glorifying the IRA and singing songs about them seems to be the "Celtic way".
- Alex Hamilton, Glasgow
It is and will remain impossible for supporters of Celtic football club to respect anything British.
Why don´t they go home?
- Ian Cameron, Scotland
