RateTheRef

I'm sorry if people are taking my comment out of context, but I was just giving my opinion on first viewing from Chris's positioning for the penalty, he should have spotted it. I accept that no referee should ever guess. This doesn't anyway condone the actions of the manager or Mitrovic.

First point to make is that I am very pleased that CK dealt with the Fulham manager and captain according to Law.  I sincerely hope that the proverbial book is thrown at both and that long bans follow - along with a clear message that the same will follow for anyone else taking the came course of action.

My second point (and I suspect that this is going to be less well received) is that, like a couple of other correspondents on this forum, I believe that the correct decision should have been given in real time by CK.  And, whilst I have no way of proving it, had this happened the subsequent furore would not have happened.

To illustrate, imagine that this is an FA Cup tie from a few years ago and one of England's top referees has to use his skill, nous and experience to correctly make the big calls.  On seeing what transpired, he whistles, awards a penalty and quickly shows the red card to the offender.  There will be protests, but nothing of this magnitude.

Fast forward to today, I believe that CK has a good clear view of the incident but is not 100% certain (when is anyone 100% certain??).  He knows he has the VAR "safety net" so gives nothing.  He could have given the penalty / red card and he would still have had the same safety net, but I have long believed that VAR is emaciating our top referees and many are too timid to make the big calls, relying on VAR to do that for them.

None of the above is anything close to an excuse for the subsequent behaviour, but our top referees have got where they are today without VAR and VAR is changing the way they officiate, and not for the better.

I’ve never been as embarrassed to be a Fulham fan as I am this evening. And that is after being so proud of that performance for 75 minutes. But forget the performance, those antics from Silva and Mitrovic are utterly abhorrent. Silva has been at it all season and deserves a massive ban, and although I love Fulham with all my heart I genuinely hope we get the biggest fine possible.
Kavanagh was exceptional all game, a brilliant performance. And Chris, if you do happen to read this board, on behalf of all decent Fulham fans, and there’s plenty of us, I’d like to wholeheartedly apologise.
I genuinely feel broken right now by what I’ve just witnessed. Absolutely gutted. And I’m not talking about the result, some things are more important than that.

I've got to say, I really like the Fulham manager, from the limited amount of Fulham (and his previous clubs) I've seen, he's normally got a good way about him but he just snapped there and the red mist descended, there is no excuse. 

I wonder how all this will affect CK  - is he the sort of person to be able to put it behind him and get on with his next appointment. We hear so much these days about mental health - is there any help available to support referees who may need it?

Quote from: Tweed on Sun 19 Mar 2023 20:04

I've got to say, I really like the Fulham manager, from the limited amount of Fulham (and his previous clubs) I've seen, he's normally got a good way about him but he just snapped there and the red mist descended, there is no excuse. 

Have to disagree with you on this part - he moans about the ref virtually every week. He's confrontational with the 4O way too often. Decent coach and I like the style of football his teams play but he jumps on the blame the ref bandwagon far too often, imo.