TO LIVE AND DIE IN THE PL

 

Football is a simple game really. All you need is a pitch, 22 players and a referee. But of course that is simplistic as football, particularly in the Premier League is a multi million pound industry where fortunes are made and reputations built, however, the game is in the hands of incompetents at best and corrupt individuals at worst. I prefer to view it as incompetence personally.

Yes the referees and match officials of the PGMOL, having been given the power of life or death, much like the Roman Emperors in the gladiatorial stadiums, are holding sway. The upwards or downwards thumb has been replaced by VAR and the vagaries of interpretation. 

Apologies have been given for incorrect decisions, cards have been brandished and rescinded and Refs have been banned from officiating against certain teams but it's not good enough. 

When, pre VAR, a Ref made an error it was just that; human error and that, to me is acceptable, but when mistakes are still being made despite of technology you have to ask if things have improved. The answer is no.

I'm fed up with it to be honest. "It" being the lack of consistency. It's taking the joy out of watching, it's taking the spontaneity out of the fan experience. All it seems to be doing is creating narratives, agendas and of course content. Controversy creates content. Content lines pockets. It's a cynical view I know, but that's what the game now is; cynical.

I have had enough. I expect nothing from officials. I expect nothing from VAR. I expect nothing from the PGMOL, as it's clear that if you cross them you have a target on your back and I expect nothing to change any time soon. It's a sad state of affairs, but that's what happens when you entrust the beautiful game to a bureaucratic monopoly.