Liverpool lose fight with beach ball
Roar Guru By Freud of Football, 19 Oct 2009 Freud of Football is a Roar Guru
- Tagged:
- beach ball, beach ball goal, benitez, EPL, football, Liverpool, mike jones, rafa, referee mistake, Sunderland
Mike Jones is not a name many people will recognise and after his blunder gifted Sunderland an unexpected 1-0 win over Liverpool, it’s a name we will probably no longer hear in top flight football.
For those of you who haven’t seen the incident, watch the video below and you’ll see what I mean.
I recently defended Sir Alex’s “outburst” which was at best a comment regarding the referees whom I normally praise and I’ll say it again, they have a very tough job enforcing some, oftentimes, very silly rules.
But surely if a bright red beach ball is sitting on the six yard line as a team breaks on the counter, a professional EPL referee would have to notice it?
Even if he doesn’t see it initially and his two assistants are also blind to the ball, then surely a volley which smacks into the ball and deflects in for a goal couldn’t stand?
The laws of the game indicate that such an incident, where a referee should have stopped play for outside interference (eg. A bright red beach ball on the six yard box), should result in a dropped ball. Instead it was a game winning goal for Sunderland which has seen Liverpool slip to 8th in the table, ironically one spot behind Steve Bruce’s Sunderland.
When a former referee comes out and blasts a current official’s performance then you know it was bad. Normally they stick together and show solidarity but this surely is one mistake too big to just condone or ignore.
So what now?
Benitez kept his cool regarding the incident although the fourth official had to step in later on when some heated words were exchanged between managers, however just because he didn’t comment on the issue and risk receiving a fine doesn’t right this wrong.
Football fans the world over accept refereeing mistakes as in the grand scheme of it, the football gods generally level them up. A penalty not awarded is evened out by a hand ball in the box going unnoticed or a goal kick that should have been a corner is compensated by a touch-and-go free kick.
But how is Liverpool to be compensated for this freak goal which – by the laws of the game which are in this case, not open to interpretation – should never have been counted?
The simple answer is, they won’t be.
Benitez was already struggling without Talisman Gerrard and the red-hot Torres. To then lose a game in this manner is a kick in the guts but it’s something he’ll have to accept.
Will Jones come out and apologise? Will the FA, the body in charge of these mistakes being upheld order a rematch? Both scenarios look unlikely, instead the incident will be played down, players and managers will refrain from commenting to avoid hefty fines and the FA will deal with this very quietly.
Expect the idiotic fan who hit the ball on to the pitch – after it appears a steward or a ball boy handed it back to him – to be banned and Mr Jones to be relegated down to a lower league, whether he returns to the top flight in a few weeks or ever again is open to debate.
I personally don’t think he should lose his career for this error, it was a huge mistake which changed a game, that is undeniable but he has two assistants and a fourth official on the sidelines who all could have raised the matter and failed to do so. Surely they are there as a team?
It seems to me that only a rematch will suffice as fair but don’t expect Steve Bruce to be a champion of fair play this week, three points against Liverpool are golden and he won’t be relinquishing them unless he has to and even then, you can expect resistance.
You won’t hear this often from a Man United supporter but after yesterday, I do feel sorry for Liverpool.
Beach Ball goal video
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- beach ball, beach ball goal, benitez, EPL, football, Liverpool, mike jones, rafa, referee mistake, Sunderland
October 19th 2009 @ 1:43pm
Michael said | October 19th 2009 @ 1:43pm | Report comment
No. These things don’t even themselves out over time.
Why is this even such a big issue? I don’t remember when it happened in the Man City vs Sheffield United FA Cup game last year that it got all this coverage.
Just because it’s Liverpool, everyone’s suddenly an expert on external interferences.
As for the ex-referee’s criticizing the referee, I’ve seen that Graham Poll has in fact criticized him. I don’t need to tell you all about his most basic of blunders.
These things happen, and I was disgusted to see on The Guardian’s website that they had a headline “Liverpool Sunderland match not to be replayed.” It has happened before, and it will happen again. The fact that it happened to a big team (for once) is pleasing. I think Liverpool fans should count themselves lucky that it wasn’t 3 or 4 goals, and that it took the focus off their poor performance (much like Sir Alex last week) and also Rafa’s shocking behaviour on the touchline.
October 19th 2009 @ 3:16pm
Freud of Football said | October 19th 2009 @ 3:16pm | Report comment
Jeff Winter also came out and criticised him, not just Poll and I really don’t think this has got to do with Liverpool, it’s got to do with the referee and for mine the FA.
Last year we had the phantom goal in the Reading – Watford game, another at the beginning of this season between Crystal Palace – Bristol City and from memory neither game was replayed. I don’t mind when the football gods play funny-buggers but something like this is one step too far for mine, it wasn’t something that was open to interpretation, it hit a bright red beach ball which shouldn’t have been there, the rules state it should have been a dropped ball and surely the referee saw it at some point, either way the goal shouldn’t stand but that Sunderland won a tainted match I’m sure won’t bother them one bit.
October 19th 2009 @ 8:46pm
Michael said | October 19th 2009 @ 8:46pm | Report comment
I’m not sure I quite get your point. You state two matches where a goal that was perfectly legal because no official saw it hit the metal post of the goal, and another one where a goal was awarded when it was 5 feet from the goal, and claim you don’t mind it when the football god’s play funny-buggers? What is the difference?
Those other incidences were plain injustices, with referee’s seeing things that didn’t happen. In this incident, a referee watching it live could easily mistake that the Liverpool defender (was it Johnson?) may have kicked the beach-ball when he went to block the shot.
Yes, the rule is black and white, but why is there so much more uproar about this than there was when an incredibly similar thing happened last year between Manchester City and Sheffield United in the FA Cup?
October 19th 2009 @ 8:53pm
Freud of Football said | October 19th 2009 @ 8:53pm | Report comment
If it was the Man City – Sheffield United incident I would have written about it too, I first saw it while reading a bit of background about this story though. It’s got nothing to do with Liverpool, the fact is it happened on the weekend and not last year.
October 19th 2009 @ 7:02pm
Art Sapphire said | October 19th 2009 @ 7:02pm | Report comment
Lighten up Freud – This is a fact. Pepe Reina had 20 – 30 seconds to clear the ball off the six yard line.
All it needed was a quick kick. Any other keeper would have done it, he didn’t. He paid the price.
No point whinging about the officials. They will get things wrong all the time.
Good goals are disallowed, offside goals are given. Stone cold penalties are disallowed, dodgy penalties are given.
You get my drift. Its all part of a football season.
Liverpool should be more worried that without Stevie G and Torres they are pretty much useless.
October 19th 2009 @ 7:12pm
Pippinu said | October 19th 2009 @ 7:12pm | Report comment
“Liverpool should be more worried that without Stevie G and Torres they are pretty much useless. ”
and that has been the case for three seasons.
October 19th 2009 @ 9:13pm
Eddie said | October 19th 2009 @ 9:13pm | Report comment
That’s why the last time before the Sunderland match when both Torres and Gerrard were missing for Liverpool in a match Liverpool beat Man U. Next time get your facts right.
October 19th 2009 @ 9:18pm
Art Sapphire said | October 19th 2009 @ 9:18pm | Report comment
Eddie, one match does not make a season. Liverpool lost the title last season from all the points they dropped while Torres was missing. So next time get your facts right.
October 19th 2009 @ 9:21pm
Colin N said | October 19th 2009 @ 9:21pm | Report comment
“Next time get your facts right.”
It wasn’t a fact, it was a point, which is probably correct. If Torres and Gerrard were both out for three months, I would very much doubt that they would get into the top 4, nevermind challenge for the title.
October 20th 2009 @ 11:17pm
David V. said | October 20th 2009 @ 11:17pm | Report comment
No, it’s more that Liverpool are missing the qualities Xabi Alonso brought to the team, and the most obvious replacement (Aquilani) is injured. Every successful Liverpool side has had a schemer behind it- McDermott and Molby being two of them. Jamie Redknapp would have if not for injury, then Gary McAllister was vital to their plastic treble success.
Two players can’t do it alone for the team, especially when balance and subtlety go out the window.
October 19th 2009 @ 7:39pm
Freud of Football said | October 19th 2009 @ 7:39pm | Report comment
Art, I’m not complaining about goals that are given or not, I accept that there are mistakes in the game, often by referees who have to interpret rules as things generally aren’t black and white but this IS.
It is not Reina’s responsibility to kick the ball away, Sunderland were on a quick counter, from the half-way line to the time Reid was inside the box was exactly 7 seconds, if he had of at any point moved to clear the ball they would have tried to chip him so he had to remain on his line and to say anything to the contrary is nonsense.
As soon as the ball hit the beach ball it was meant to be a drop ball. That goals, penalties and freekicks are often questionable is a moot point and not at all something I was arguing.
But in this case, the rule isn’t open to interpretation. A bright red beach ball on the line of the six yard box which deflects a goal is CLEARLY an outside interference. We’ve seen fans run onto the pitch and kick the ball into the net and those goals weren’t counted as they were an “outside interference” so your argument is – as usual Art – unfounded.
Yes Liverpool are rubbish without Gerrard and Torres, their next best player they sold in the summer and they have absolutely no depth but that doesn’t make this incident acceptable.
October 19th 2009 @ 9:15pm
Art Sapphire said | October 19th 2009 @ 9:15pm | Report comment
Oh Rubbish, Freud. Most things I post are very “founded”.
You should see read the posts where people agree with my astute observations
Anyway, I’ll let the gaffers have the last say on the matter.
“These things happen,” said their manager, Rafael Benítez on Saturday, although at that stage he appeared unaware of the drop-ball rule, reflecting: “It’s a very technical question but it has to be a goal.”
Steve Bruce, Sunderland’s manager, admitted he had been similarly oblivious. “If anyone knew that rule, that it should have been a drop ball, then you are one saddo,” he said. “I didn’t know.”
Are you, Freud??
October 19th 2009 @ 9:29pm
Freud of Football said | October 19th 2009 @ 9:29pm | Report comment
Very “founded”, yes sure.
As I said in the piece above. No players and managers are going to come out and blast the ref for this, “however just because he didn’t comment on the issue and risk receiving a fine doesn’t right this wrong.” – I just saw that Ferguson has been charged by the FA for his comments regarding Alan Wiley, Benitez would have probably been charged if he had let everyone know what he was truly thinking too, the FA don’t take kindly to criticism of themselves or referees, regardless of who is right or wrong.
Re: Bruce – “on’t expect Steve Bruce to be a champion of fair play this week, three points against Liverpool are golden and he won’t be relinquishing them unless he has to and even then, you can expect resistance.”
Do you really think you were going to see a quote from him saying that he thinks it shouldn’t have been a goal and a rematch? No, when Wenger did that a few years back it raised many an eyebrow but he was the manager of Arsenal, a big team who find it a lot easier to win than Steve Bruce’s Sunderland.
Think a little bit Art or at least read what I write, there won’t be mass condemnation here from players or managers because they know there is nothing they can do. If Fergie can get banned for calling a referee unfit then imagine what the punishment would be in this day and age for directly calling a referee, his two assistants and a fourth official blind for missing the incident and/or incompotent for not correctly enforcing the rules.
October 19th 2009 @ 9:44pm
Colin N said | October 19th 2009 @ 9:44pm | Report comment
“Benitez would have probably been charged if he had let everyone know what he was truly thinking too, the FA don’t take kindly to criticism of themselves or referees, regardless of who is right or wrong.”
I don’t actually think Benitez knew the rule (did anyone until the ex-referees actually had their say?).
Usually, the managers will imply the referee got the call wrong (without wanting to risk getting charged), but Benitez didn’t even do that.
October 19th 2009 @ 9:57pm
Art Sapphire said | October 19th 2009 @ 9:57pm | Report comment
The point I am trying to make Freud in as light hearted a manner as possible is this. We all know the goals should not have stood, but I am not going to get too serious about.
Otherwise you run the risk of ending up like this
Now, thats funny. Have a good day.
October 19th 2009 @ 10:16pm
Pippinu said | October 19th 2009 @ 10:16pm | Report comment
October 19th 2009 @ 10:34pm
Freud of Football said | October 19th 2009 @ 10:34pm | Report comment
How very juvenile of you Art. Do you know what Bruno Ganz, the actor playing Hitler is saying (it might surprise you that the translation isn’t actually about the beach ball goal)?
I’ve seen enough of these parodies of Der Untergang and they for the most part aren’t actually funny, this one included. It is actually quite a good film with a horrible translation.
I don’t think any Scousers will be taking this too light heartedly.
October 19th 2009 @ 10:43pm
Pippinu said | October 19th 2009 @ 10:43pm | Report comment
Freud, mate, you’re starting to worry me – a Man Utd supporter going in to bat for the scouser!!
Life’s a beach.
October 21st 2009 @ 9:45pm
sittingbison said | October 21st 2009 @ 9:45pm | Report comment
but in this case the often used accusation that the ref, linesmen and 4th official are blind has some merit, as you said it was a large red inanimate object (clearly not Carragher or FSW) parked on the six yard line that clearly deflected the ball.
On a more serious note I am astounded that this result stands, despite all the huha about the scousers having enough time themselves to score etc etc. The FA should order a rematch. And I’m a ManU fan.
October 19th 2009 @ 11:05pm
dasilva said | October 19th 2009 @ 11:05pm | Report comment
Freud
I know the decision was a mistake but I think you are taking this far too seriously
The way I see it, Liverpool fans would be angry and want to hang the kid who chuck the ball and the referee, Sunderland fans would be ecstatic after beating Liverpool
Everyone else, the neutrals would just be laughing at the extraodinary circumstances and how unlikely the goal was.
It just like how the neutrals laugh at the circumstances at how Graham Poll gave out 3 yellow cards to Josip Simunic before sending him off.
Sure if that cost Australia the match I would be pissed off and want to kill Graham Poll but I wouldn’t want the rest of the world to stop deriving some enjoyment out of a pretty extraordinary referee blunder just like the beach ball incident was also a pretty comical referee blunder.
In the end, it still just a sport
October 19th 2009 @ 11:14pm
Freud of Football said | October 19th 2009 @ 11:14pm | Report comment
Dasilva, you admit if Graham Poll’s error had of cost the Socceroos the match you would have been pissed off, well it did cost Liverpool the match, there were no other goals and to say “In the end, it still just a sport”…
Well for us fans yes, but for the administrators, players, managers etc whose careers depend on results, what if that wasn’t liverpool yesterday but some team in a relegation battle, what if that had of put them into the second tier? It’s not just a case of the fans being disappointed, every position on the table has huge financial implications and a relegated team can literally fall apart because of the lost revenue, just look at Leeds, I think you’ll agree their situation is hardly amusing.
I am not some old grouch who can’t find anything funny but a crappy dub of der Untergang which has been done countless times is just unimaginative and this incident should be taken seriously, yes it is funny to watch but I just spoke with a Scouse mate of mine and he was pissed as hell, it’s not the sort of injustice you can just explain away with “the football gods”.
October 20th 2009 @ 9:57am
AndyRoo said | October 20th 2009 @ 9:57am | Report comment
I thought the whole thing was hilarious. At the same time Liverpools owner is hocking them around the middle east so I thought the beach ball was great symbolism.
Feel sorry for the kid and the referee though.
October 20th 2009 @ 8:20pm
Freud of Football said | October 20th 2009 @ 8:20pm | Report comment
http://goal.com/en-gb/news/2558/news/2009/10/20/1572063/manchester-united-fans-to-be-searched-for-beach-balls-at
- Ok, that I find funny. I imagine it was Man United supporters stocking up on the beach balls, undoubtedly some of them will get through security with them, I just hope they don’t hit them on to the pitch but at least everyone knows the rules now.
October 21st 2009 @ 12:35am
Michael said | October 21st 2009 @ 12:35am | Report comment
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/2690213/Leeds-have-a-ball.html
October 21st 2009 @ 1:11pm
Art Sapphire said | October 21st 2009 @ 1:11pm | Report comment
After this morning’s loss to Lyon. The beachball is the least of Liverpool’s worries.
Their season is in danger of turning to merde.
Thanks to a pair of parasitic debt addled Yanks with massive cash flow issues.
As reported in the Guardian
Liverpool’s fans will quibble anew about some of Benítez’s purchases, but the main target of rage will, once again, be the owners, George Gillett and Tom Hicks. The Americans, for their part, will be even less capable of assuaging the anger with January signings if early elimination chokes off the flow of Champions League cash.
It is rational to suppose that Hicks and Gillett would already be open to offers, but the size of bids to take the club off their hands will drop sharply. Like Mike Ashley at Newcastle United, they might simply see no acceptable way to shed their ownership.
October 21st 2009 @ 1:14pm
AndyRoo said | October 21st 2009 @ 1:14pm | Report comment
It will be interesting what would happen if any of the big 4 don’t finish in the top 4 this year (i.e. if Manchester City get one of the CL spots)
That would be a massive loss of income and a huge set back.
October 22nd 2009 @ 7:04pm
Michael said | October 22nd 2009 @ 7:04pm | Report comment
I think Arsenal is the most capable of surviving outside the top 4 financially, simply because of their huge stadium revenue, and the stream of youngsters coming through.
If worst comes to worst for them, Fabregas will go to Barcelona, and van Persie will probably leave, but they have so many good young players coming through, and Wenger would almost be forced to cave in and buy the experienced holding midfielder.
Liverpool though, as much as I don’t like them, I don’t like them because they win all the time, and if they are not winning, it’s not so much of a reason for me to hate them any more