Newcastle Penalty v Man Utd, is it *really* the worst decision ever?

[Acker79]

Seeing the headlines, listening to the sunday supplement podcast, it seems that it's almost agreed that the linesman's decision to advise the red to award the penalty is the worst decision ever.

Seriously?

The goal not given for spurs against man u a few years back, the goal given when the ball went out for a goal kick in the reading (?) game.

It's not even the worst penalty decision - I can think of at least two from our game v Southampton (the first penalty, and the second half assault on lambert by painter) that are worse.

No it shouldn't have been a penalty, and the ref should have trusted his instinct. But the fact Rio got the ball isn't relevant, and the linesman may well have known he got the ball, and just thought Rio slid in in a careless manner (he ever so slightly comes through the ben artem, but I would agree with most people who think the degree of follow through in the challenge is more than acceptable).

There are challenges like that, which are only slightly more aggressive that are awarded as free kicks all the time, so to a degree I can see what the lino was thinking (though again stress I don't think it was a pen or a foul).

Was it really the worst decision ever?

 

[Gritt23]

Ridiculous over-reaction that is just inevitable when ManUre concede a penalty at home. It wouldn't have been anywhere near the worst decision of the day, let a lone EVER. FFS.

 

[Captain Sensible]

Yeah, I can see why the ref gave it, RF took the man after the ball. I agree it was a good tackle and not a pen but you run the risk of giving a pen away if you go to ground, and tackle from behind to win the ball. It's a massive over reaction by the media and Man U fans alike. The worst thing about it is Man U will probably not have a pen awarded against them at OT for the rest of the season. It will take a very strong ref to award one after this. It's almost like 'how dare you award a pen against us, don't you know who we are?', pathetic. Can u imagine if it was our 1st pen conceded against Saints that happened to Man U? The world would meltdown!

 

[wunt be druv]

It was crap,but no worse than we suffered at St.Marys,but because its Man.Utd. the whole World looks up and takes notice,but nobody but us gives a shit about the Albion.

 

[BensGrandad]

There have been many worse decisions but as has been said it is because it happened in a Premier League game and also because it was at Old Trafford against Man Utd, that aspect in itself makes it debatable in Fergies eyes.

 

[vegster]

Ridiculous over-reaction that is just inevitable when ManUre concede a penalty at home. It wouldn't have been anywhere near the worst decision of the day, let a lone EVER. FFS.

I think it's the usual Slur Alex sour grapes, remember it occured at Old Trafford where traditionally,for an away player to win a penalty,they have to go down in the 6 yard box

 

[deletebeepbeepbeep]

It was the wrong decision clearly but many worse decisions including ours v Southampton but that was in the Championship so no one cares.

 

[leigull]

Not forgetting the Bournemouth game last season. Have seen plenty worse, not just involving us

 

[strings]

The annoying thing is that this decision will probably do Man United well in the medium term. Next time there is a 50/50 in the box, you know the decision will go in Fergie's favour.

 

[Acker79]

The annoying thing is that this decision will probably do Man United well in the medium term. Next time there is a 50/50 in the box, you know the decision will go in Fergie's favour.

Yeah, further on in the podcast they were discussing his comments about this decision costing them the premier league title (more so than the 6-1 loss to man city, apparently) and ho it's likely mind games from fergie to scare any ref from giving any major decision against them.

 

[Igor Gurinovich?]

no it isnt.

 

[Medwayseagull]

It was a diabolical decision because the referee, who is the senior official, did not trust his own instincts when he was in the best position to judge, but chose instead to accept his assistants view. That was cowardice and abrogating responsibility which was far worst than the decision itself.
Also some people on here need to get over their hatred for Man Utd and look at each case on its merits. Any club in that position would rightfully make as much fuss as possible.

 

[DumLum]

I think this was the first time the away team have been given a penalty at Old Trafford that wasn't nailed on (You don't usually even get them!) so no wonder they are upset.

 

[Seasidesage]

It's not even the worse decision at Old Trafford, let alone ever!

what about that one when Spurs scored there a few season back and it was about 3 yards over the line and the Lino missed it!!!

 

[Storer 68]

Might I suggest that we saw an even worse decision go against us at St Marys.

at least the Manure one was INSIDE the penalty area!

 

[TheMajor]

One of the worst decisions ever ? No.

but one of the funniest ? Yes.

 

[APACHE]

To Sir Alex, what goes around comes around or, what you give out will be returned.

 

[kevo]

Not forgetting the Bournemouth game last season

That still has to be the worst I've ever seen. Handball almost certainly by a Bournemouth player, clearly a yard outside the box, as one of our players was being fouled. The ref unbelievably gives a free kick to them, then a good 10 seconds later the linesman raises his flag (only after being approached by a Bournemouth player) and the ref awards a penalty. In the last minute of addded on time too, when you must be 100% sure it is the correct decision. Utterly shocking, not least because it directly affected the result of the game.

I was right in line near the front of the South Stand at Withdean. When the ref first blew his whistle I was relieved because we had been awarded a free kick (either for the foul on Elphick or the Bournemouth striker's handball), which basically meant we'd won the match. I was incandescent when he awarded them a free kick. But the award of penalty was so ridiculous you couldn't do anything but stare in disbelief. Is Sheldrake still officiating anywhere? (he suspended himself after the game, I believe).

 

[Acker79]

And awarding a penalty for Greer's attack of the rochdale(?) player while they were waiting to take a free kick near the half-way line.

 

[keaton]

It was a diabolical decision because the referee, who is the senior official, did not trust his own instincts when he was in the best position to judge, but chose instead to accept his assistants view. That was cowardice and abrogating responsibility which was far worst than the decision itself.
Also some people on here need to get over their hatred for Man Utd and look at each case on its merits. Any club in that position would rightfully make as much fuss as possible.

The only thing that was a cowardly and responsbility shifting about the whole thing is a multimillionaire manager blaming some part-time linesmen for them losing the title