Marc
Member
Registered: 11th Aug 02
Location: York
User status: Offline
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An FA spokesman after the game absolved the linesman of any responsibility
for the apparently mistaken decision not to award a goal to Spurs after a
shot from the halfway line crossed the goal line by at least a meter.
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> "The shot came in from an unusual distance and as such caught the
linesman out of position forcing him to race back towards the goal as the
play developed", explained the spokesman, "As he ran, the United scarf he
was wearing under his shirt came loose and fluttered up into his face
obscuring his view and preventing him from making the call. It was just one
of those things."
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> In response to further questions from the Press the spokesman explained
"If they don't already have a United tattoo most officials on game day try
to wear a scarf or a replica shirt under their regulation kit to show their
support for the worlds greatest club. The linesman in this case had chosen
to wear a United scarf, a common choice that is in keeping with FA
guidelines. The root cause of the problem lies not with the linesman but
with the players and management of Tottenham Hotspur Football Club who
broke one the most important unwritten rules of the English FA: They placed
a shot on target at Old Trafford. Martin Jol is new to this country and
perhaps he s not yet familiar with some of our finer traditions.
Fortunately if he doesn't yet understand that for the greater good of the
game visiting teams, by tradition, are not expected to try to score at Old
Trafford then our officials are in a position to help Mr Jol make that
cultural adjustment."
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> Chuckling to himself the FA spokesman added "The goal had to be
disallowed to avoid us descending down a slippery slope that would be bad
for the national game. It's a fine line the officials have to walk. If they
award a goal this week, next week someone might expect a penalty or ask
that Van Nistleroy be booked for diving. Can you imagine? That would just
never do. No no no. Shocking, just the thought of it."
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