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“They’re petrified” – Mike Dean rants on referees not making on-field decisions

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“They’re petrified” – Mike Dean rants on referees not making on-field decisions

“They’re petrified” – Mike Dean rants on referees not making on-field decisions, with fans also left further frustrated.

It came when they looked at an incident during Sunderland and Manchester United’s goalless draw on Saturday afternoon.

In the 88th minute, Bruno Fernandes fumed after caught in the face by Nilson Angulo, the United captain angry at no card, with VAR also not advising referee Stuart Attwell to look at the incident on the pitch. Others talking points in the game saw Lisandro Martinez swinging his arm at Brian Brobbey’s head, plus the Shaw-Brobbey incident.

Paul Merson said, as per Sunderland Echo’s report: “Fernandes gets the ball, he’s got his head up and goes to play it. Angulo, who’s come on, is running back, and as he’s running back, he just gives him a little elbow in the face. It’s not major contact, but he’s meant to do it. I think this could be a red card. What do you think Mike?”

Mike Dean: “There’s not a lot of force in it, but I don’t understand why the player would run back and put his arm in and just put himself at risk. I’m not sure what’s happening – they’ve obviously had a look at it; they’re not doing anything, just having a chat with Fernandes and think it will be check complete. You run the risk with VAR, that could have gone either way.”

Paul Merson: “He’s not given anything, They didn’t even book him.”

Mike Dean: “Well, it’s May, isn’t it?”

Simon Thomas: What?!

Mike Dean: “It’s May, isn’t it?”

Simon Thomas: “It might be May for you but the referee has got a job to do.”

Mike Dean: “I’m just more annoyed about decisions in games where they guys just not making decisions. Fulham’s a prime example today. Just a poor performance on the pitch. They’re just not making decisions on the pitch. Joking apart, May or not – that’s an easy decision to make. We’ve had a penalty shout five minutes before with Man United, that could have gone either way, we had a challenge in another game, they’re just not making decisions, and I don’t know why that is.”

Simon Thomas: “Is that something they will have to address in the summer?”

Mike Dean: “They’re going to have to [address it], because it’s just not good enough. We were talking earlier off-air about it, it’s easier to go red, then make a big and brave decision and go red card, and everybody’s happy if they stay on-field because it’s a good decision. I think they’re just scared of going red, because they’re just petrified.”

Mark Halsey said via The Sun:

“Late in the second half at the Stadium of Light between Sunderland and Manchester United, there was an incident between Bruno Fernandes and Nilson Angulo.

“I think Bruno was looking for a red card for an act of violent conduct.

“That’s not the way I saw it.

“Obviously, Bruno’s got the ball, Nilson Angulo has come from behind, leading with his forearm, and he does just brush Fernandes around the side-top of the neck and face.

“For me, it’s not violent conduct.

“VAR was absolutely spot on not to get involved because it’s subjective. So VAR wouldn’t get involved in that. They’d only get involved if they felt it was a clear and obvious error for violent conduct, which it wasn’t.

“So in my opinion, I do think that Nilson Angulo was lucky not to receive a yellow card, a caution for reckless use of the arm, because he did lead with his forearm.

“I was surprised referee Stuart Attwell didn’t see it in real time, but the game is so fast these days, it does make it difficult sometimes.”

Man Utd boss Michael Carrick said: “To be honest, I haven’t seen it. Bruno said there was contract and he wasn’t too happy about it when he came in.

“The staff on the bench weren’t too happy with it as well.

“I’m getting a little bit confused about what’s going on really, so better off staying out of it.”

Here’s how fans reacted as Mike Dean rants on referees not making on-field decisions…

@Fantanafest73: Why did Fernandes’ hold 3 different parts of his face after this happened? Curious 🤔 Why didn’t MOTD show any of the incidents against #safc or in fact, any of our play full stop? Awful show that’s gone to the dogs

@CelebrityChat3: Didn’t even show or mention the penalty Sunderland should have had. Not one mention of Sunderland at all. Will loose viewers, always focus on the top 6. Biased and not a true reflection. Sunderland were the better team @BBC @WayneRooney

@parky55: I was disgusted watching MOD tonight on the Sunderland v Man u game there was not even one word about how Sunderland had played it was all about Man u so biast against clubs not in top 6 come on get your act together or you will lose more viewers.

@KP10legend: Brobbey is reffed differently and like you say he’s too strong so that’s ruled as a foul. Attwell made some bizarre decisions and allowed some players, Fernandes in particular, ref and run the game in a biased way.

@Capt_Fishpaste: Classic one of how you can make anything look bad with a selective still frame. Angulo raises his arm to battle for the ball but never swings an arm. One of the few decisions Atwell got right. #SAFC

@AndyMk_83: Ex professional referee justifies Atwell not at least booking Angulo for elbowing Fernandes because, and I quote, “it’s May”. These are the guys once responsible for officiating Premier League games folks. Is it any wonder the game is fucked.

@AndyMk_83: Atwell needs to be removed from the Premier League. He’s utterly fuckin useless. The drag back on Shaw in the 1st half and the late Xhaka tackle on Shaw in the 2nd were blatant yellows. Blows for full time then on a corner kick. I fuckin hate him.

@jthemmings: Stuart Atwell shouldn’t be reffing professional football matches, or any for that matter. Absolutely fucking abysmal. And I’m certain the officials and VAR don’t know or understand what is or isn’t violent conduct. Clear & deliberate strike into Bruno’s face & nothing

@RedArmyHooligan: Throwing an elbow at an opponent’s head is a red card….even if it doesn’t connect. It’s violent conduct. Just like throwing a punch. Stuart Atwell and the 4th and VAR should lose their referee licenses.



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