How far must it go before the football community realises that we need to make a change?
Only two-and-a-half weeks ago there was a general acknowledgment that a line had been crossed after referee Michael Oliver and his family were bombarded with vile death threats following the red card he showed to Myles Lewis-Skelly in Arsenal‘s win at Wolves.
The PGMOL called it ‘abhorrent’, and Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola insisted that we all need to take responsibility for the threats to Oliver and his loved ones.
Lewis-Skelly’s red card was dubious and eventually overturned – a possibility open to every team if they appeal, which makes you wonder why on earth the ref was so heavily vilified in the first place.
That fiasco should have sent a message to the football world. But the fallout from Wednesday night’s dramatic draw between Everton and Liverpool – particularly on social media – proves that the warning has gone in one ear and out the other in double-quick time.
There is no doubt that Liverpool got the short end of the stick at Goodison Park. The free-kick which led to Everton’s first goal – scored by Beto – was awarded after a dive from Iliman Ndiaye. And there was a contentious push on Ibrahima Konate before James Tarkowski volleyed the Toffees level in the depths of second-half stoppage time.
But the extent to which Oliver has been held responsible for the result is downright wrong.
Dives like Ndiaye’s are still seen frequently in the modern game and occasionally misinterpreted by referees. The consequence was a free-kick on the halfway line, from which Jarrad Branthwaite caught Konate sleeping and slid Beto in to score. Whose fault is that?
The pre-equaliser push on Konate could have gone either way. The Liverpool defender has every right to feel aggrieved, but imagine the Everton uproar if a goal of such magnitude was chalked off for a challenge which is only teetering on the brink of clear and obvious.
Oliver has once again taken the brunt of the fury stemming from that call, but let’s not forget he had the help of VAR Chris Kavanagh – one of the country’s best referees – and he also waved it away.
Dissecting the decisions made or making excuses for Oliver is beside the point. Upset fans want to pin the blame for a bitter disappointment on one person and referees are an easy target.
We can’t shake our heads at Oliver receiving death threats at the end of January and then start a merciless pile-on by mid-February. The football culture of total meltdown is a bad habit that needs kicking. It’s unhealthy and it needs to stop.
