Setting aside the controversies surrounding VAR, Mikel Arteta’s dissatisfaction, audacious claims from certain clubs, Anthony Taylor’s officiating, seemingly endless games, exuberant radio pundits, ambiguous offside decisions, and intricacies of handball rulings, it’s crucial to recognize that in the Premier League, the best team will ultimately emerge victorious, while the weakest will languish at the bottom. The integrity of the game is not compromised by VAR, and we should dismiss such claims.
What genuinely undermines the Premier League’s credibility is the persistent issue of players attempting to deceive officials, managers condoning such behavior, and clubs like Arsenal endorsing their manager’s self-righteous statements.
In their upcoming meeting at a luxurious London hotel, the 20 chief executives or owners should discuss their next multi-billion-dollar TV deal and reflect on their managers’ and players’ conduct. It is essential for them to collectively advocate for these individuals to meet the officials halfway and recognize that officials are striving to maintain fairness in the sport, each in their unique way. Ange Postecoglou’s words hold wisdom in this regard. He acknowledged that over a quarter-century, he has experienced both favorable and unfavorable decisions, and the age-old adage that these things even out is indeed true. Ange deserves credit for his insight.
However, the prospects of persuading players and fellow managers to accept the inherent variability of refereeing decisions are likely quite limited. Postecoglou’s remark about the “constant erosion of the referee’s authority” was the most poignant aspect of his post-match press conference on Monday.
