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Linesman in Van Persie 'offside' row is left off match list
Tom Collomosse2 Dec 2008
The linesman who allowed Robin van Persie's offside goal against Chelsea to stand has been kicked off the list for this weekend's matches.
John Stokes, who failed to raise his flag against Van Persie for Arsenal's equaliser in their 2-1 win at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, will not be on duty at a Premier League or Football League game.
Although the Premier League declined to comment, it is understood Stokes has been rested as a punishment for his high-profile blunder.
Luiz Felipe Scolari was furious and demanded an apology from the officials after watching Chelsea's defeat, claiming Stokes's mistake had "killed" his team.
Van Persie was a yard offside when the ball was played to him on the edge of the Chelsea box, but he was allowed to continue and score.
The Dutchman struck the winner three minutes later, leaving an angry Scolari to question the judgement of the officials.
The Brazilian also appeared to suggest that there was a conspiracy to keep Arsenal in the title race, but later admitted the errors were "not deliberate", and he has escaped punishment from the Football Association for his remarks.
The Professional Game Match Officials, the body responsible for referees and their assistants, meet on Mondays to determine the appointments of officials for each round of matches.
Mike Dean, who refereed the fixture at Stamford Bridge, will take charge of Newcastle's match against Stoke on Saturday.
The other linesman, Simon Beck, will be on duty at Norwich's Championship game against Ipswich the following day.
Reader views (9)
All this fuss is because it is ARSENAL. Had it been Man UTD OR EVEN cHELSEA nothing would have been said.
Nobody is saying anything about Terry and Ivanovic who both should have been sent off.
Man Utd had two goals offside in a champions league game this year and nobody made a fuss.
Arsenal are always the target because they don't have a person in the club who can object against wrong actions taken against them ,like other teams.
A.Messina
- A.Messina, Malta, 02/12/2008 19:09
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The ref was completely incompetent as well for not carding John Terry for his two footed lunge - but did he get demoted NO!!!........its the same old story have a dig at The Arsenal.
- Mrs Gallas, London, UK, 02/12/2008 18:12
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Perhaps the referee should be sidelined for not sending Terry off for such a dangerous two footed tackle that most officials would show an automatic red card. Then there was the blatant bodycheck by Ivanovic (already on a yellow) on Bentner that went unpunished. Chelsea could easily have been down to 9 had another referee officiated.
Oh, and surely no one is suggesting Kalou would have scored had the linesman not flagged!!!!
- Bob, B'mouth UK, 02/12/2008 17:53
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stick to your knitting sue women know nothing about football
- Rico, london, 02/12/2008 17:48
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because it changed the game Rob,thats why!!!the simple fact is the refs and linesmen are supposed professional who are paid well but are sadly becoming the focus of the game rather than the players..I DISLIKE BOTH TEAMS BUT AGAIN ITS THE OFFICIALS WHO ARE IN THE MEDIA NOT TWO QUALITY SIDES
- Sparky, HERTS, 02/12/2008 16:28
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I don't recall the linesman being 'rested' when they scored an offside goal against newcastle last year and when van persie's 'goal' wasn't given three years ago
- John Brown, Peterborough, 02/12/2008 15:34
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It wasn't just about the Van Persie offside (not even close) that he missed - add the two wrong calls in the first half against Kalou to Stokes's list of misdemeanours. He was absolutely incompetent.
- Damien, UK, 02/12/2008 15:00
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Hahahahaha.....dearie me. Dont you have anything better to discuss these sort of decisions happen week in week out!
- Sue, London UK, 02/12/2008 14:53
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I continue to be confused by football. There is more coverage given to an offside decisions, rather than John Terry's awful two footed tackle on Sagna, why?
- Rob Gooner, North London, 02/12/2008 14:44
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