Machiavelli
Well-known member
Rarely, I'm going to disagree with you. Generally the refereeing has been of a high standard in this WC (will even attract further opprobrium by saying that, for the most part, VAR has been good too). That ref is one of the top Europeans, and I thought he had a good game last night. Few games have had many cards, this one deserved many. This isn't because "the ref lost it", it was because it was a high stakes occasion, and the players (on and off the pitch) didn't control themselves. I can't remember the ref getting any key decisions wrong either. I've heard a few moans about Michael Oliver's performance too, but thought he did well.In previous years I would have been in favour of the Dutch but this time more interested in our player doing well though even that brings mixed emotions - i.e. unwanted interest from other clubs and him maybe not available for some of our games. Last night was a prime example of shithousery by both teams though and not a good advert for football. The ref was unbelievably bad , one of the Argentinians was saying he was biased against them and why did HE add 10 minutes. I thought he was biased against the dutch but as said both teams acted terribly.