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Ok.. this might ramble on a bit, I make no apologies.. 1973, Spurs 3-1 Soton... Chivers (2).. my first game, the excitement, seeing that old stadium at WHL, the green grass, the noise of the crowd, the smells.. I was completely smitten.. those white shirts.. 47 years later..
2500+ games later, following my beloved team all over the country, Europe.. taking my kids to their first game, when they were mascots, UEFA Cup Final, Hoddle, Gazza, Ardiles, Klinsmann, Bale, King, Chivers, Jennings.. and so much more. Memories, the people I have met, friends I
have made.. the memorabilia I have collected along the way.. sky changing everything, the Premier League.. and we arrive in 2019/2020 and the future of the beautiful game.. the lawmaker, those who have never played the game have destroyed our beautiful game.. I'm not just talking
about the decisions against my own team, two weeks running falling foul of that age old problem, humans have arms.. but analyse a little closer, the free kick awarded to NUFC that led to that penalty. the ref is looking in the opposite direction, turns around sees a player on the
ground, gives a free kick for something the footage clearly shows he has not seen.. Lascelles at the FK is between Dier & Carroll, just gives Dier enough of a nudge to push him off balance.. so that his arms go up.. the ref only looks at the still image of the ball hitting Dier's
arm.. so now we know, the refs are not interested in anything that happens around the ball hitting the hand/arm, its now enough that the ball strikes the arm/hand.. its now irrelevant what happens in the build up which I find bizarre.. The same with the Winks/Doherty handball the
week before at Soton, for me this is even worse.. Ings tries to cross the ball, Winks gets a block with his heel, ball spins up & hits Doherty who is pointing at a team mate to cover a runner, ball hits hand.. penalty.. the game is finished, we will end up with 500 penalties this
season & it will cost clubs money, players/managers jobs yet still the referees, FA, IFAB, PGMOL are answerable to no one.. no one to challenge them, no one to question them, no one.. Sure Spurs should have put the game to bed today, but they hadn't & NUFC were handed a chance
to gain a point.. The players are unsure of how to defend now with regards to their arms.. every time the ball strikes the arm/hand, their are huge appeals now.. and yes the refs go over to the monitor, great.. all they are looking at is the ball hitting the hand/arm still image
If that's the case, then why did IFAB put amendments to the handball law (additional leeway will be given to) 'players with the back to the ball or unable to see the ball' (Dier today) & ricochets/deflections from a team mate, opponent or part of your own body (Doherty last week)
If they are not going to apply them or use them as part of the consideration of whether it is a penalty or not. We all want correct decisions, but we have gone from the sublime to the ridiculous now.. goal line technology is brilliant, bar one incident last season (sorry Sheff U)
Offsides, as frustrating as they are with their dodgy lines, it has made it clearer, even this season with lino's keeping their flags down.. but the handball law has destroyed the beautiful game I fell in love with 47 years ago.. it started when they decided that they would have
2 different laws depending on whether you are an attacker or defender.. ludicrous.. its the only game that has 2 different laws for the same offence.. bonkers.. then they amend it, if you are an attacker & your handball does not lead directly to a goal (WBA v CFC yesterday) its
now ok & not deemed a handball.. but if it goes directly to a player that scores its handball.. madness.. they both influence the game.. both are handball.. then the mess that is defensive handballs.. if ball hits the arm/hand & its in an unnatural position or above the shoulder
or it makes the silhouette of the body bigger its a penalty. Well show me someone who doesn't jump without their arms being raised to aid elevation please.. look at high jumpers, their lift & drive comes from their arms.. there is no real other way of jumping.. so the refs while
they are looking at ball striking arm/hand, MUST now look at context.. back to the ball, deflections/ricochets, before they destroy the game completely.. sorry for the length of my post.. am still completely dumbfounded at the last two penalties awarded against us..
47 years a fan, player, coach.. and sadly I think I am just about done.. Many thanks Mr Elleray, @FA IFAB, PGMOL, @FIFAcom @UEFA you have ruined football.. My overall message, leave the beautiful game alone.. please..
