[Sir Alex Ferguson tells Chris Foy that Man Utd were cheated. Should referees listen to him?]Specifically, Ferguson focused on Michael Ballack's gamesmanship last week (which, as he said: "we've seen before"); and generally, Ferguson blames the growing tendency of players feigning injury so they can disrupt an opposition attack.
I am glad that Ferguson has recognized this problem but can't help wonder why he is now bringing this type of unsporting behaviour to everyone's attention. Could it be that a certain Cristiano Ronaldo, a fantastic player who is also known to feign injury, is no longer playing for him? So when other teams usurp his team's unsporting 'cheating' tactics, Ferguson cries "no fair!"?
Unsporting behaviour of any type is unacceptable, but managers tend to ignore this when it suits them (as in the case of Arsene Wenger, who recently admitted to being biased in his attempt to protect his own players). Referees (especially Premiership referees) already know this.
Managers, coaches, players and football fans should therefore appreciate why referees are highly skeptical in believing what anyone says to them. For example, when a ball goes out over the touchline or goalline, how many times do we see players from both teams call the ball in their favour? Who's being honest? This is why referees prefer to rely on their own judgement and on the opinions of their assistant referees. Unless managers, coaches, players and fans demonstrate that they can be fair, honest, and unbiased (which will not happen), referees have every right to ignore their views. So, Ferguson should understand why referees will prefer to decide things for themselves, rather than listen to his biased views and seemingly 'helpful' suggestions.
Related Post: Alex Ferguson on Michael Ballack
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Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson claims 'cheats' are killing the game (Daily Mail)
Sir Alex Ferguson, the manager of champions Manchester United, has warned that the growing tactic of players feigning injury so they can disrupt an opposition attack is 'killing the game'.
Ferguson is furious that referees are being put under pressure by what he regards as cheating. And he has ordered his own players not to kick the ball out of play when an opponent appears to be injured because the game's etiquette is being abused.
Ferguson's outburst follows last week's Community Shield game against Chelsea, when United felt they were 'conned' by Michael Ballack. Referee Chris Foy stopped a United attack to allow Ballack treatment, but did not do so when Patrice Evra was elbowed by the German and Chelsea went on to score.
Wenger admits to 'selective vision' (BBC Sport)
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has confirmed what many fans have always suspected - his view of controversial incidents is not always obstructed.
Wenger is notorious for claiming not to have seen certain incidents, often when one of his players is accused of committing a foul.
"At times I saw it, and I said I didn't to protect the player," said the 59-year-old Frenchman. "It's because I could not find any rational explanation to defend him."
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