Uh_huh_him
Well-known member
- Sep 28, 2011
- 11,141
I have no issue with De Zerbi's comments.De Zerbi, after the Sheffield United game, admitted that Dahoud's red was the correct decision. As such, there was simply no logical reason to even start talking about referees. And yet, in two separate after-match press conferences (one of which was for Match of the Day) he comes out with "I don't like 80% of referees".
De Zerbi is a very intelligent guy and, I'm sure, doesn't say ANYTHING without being fully aware of the likely consequences.
If I was being cynical I could very easily believe that:
* after one of the most disappointing results of his tenure, only drawing at home to the worst team in the division, who had been bottom
* in a game where his team should have been out of sight at half-time
* where his team imploded after a sending-off for a reckless challenge by an experienced midfielder who should have known better
* to leave his team winless in the PL after six matches, the longest run since he took charge
he chose to make some comments that dominated the narrative of the post-match discourse. Job done.
I have no idea if those comments had any direct impact on Dunk on Saturday (or, indeed, subconsciously had an impact on Anthony Taylor) but they weren't at all helpful to ANYONE (except maybe De Zerbi the other weekend, if you are being cynical).
It's all part of the package.
During his tenure, he has been on the wrong end of poor refereeing decisions much more often than, benefitting from them.
This has impacted on his opinion of referees.
I think his position is understandable and shouldn't have any impact on any aspect of the game.
It isn't helpful, maybe, but equally it shouldn't have any negative impact either.
If it does, then doesn't that indicate there is a problem with the attitude of referees in the division?