Andy Gray should be sued by the LMA

Rory Fitzgerald · January 3, 2011

I'll use the example of Joe Cole's goal vs Bolton.

Basically, the decision was one of the toughest I've seen. But after seeing it 4-5 times and dissecting it, within the context of the rules then it was a clean goal.

However, Gray says;

"If you're telling me that the linesman can see whats going on at the back post then .............he has the eyes of the eagle"

"If the linesman can see across the box and through those players that its hit Elmander then you expect the ball to go here or here uses arrows to point out of the box or for a corner"

"If the ball hits the bar or the post and comes back to Joe Cole then he gains an advantage"

"Now I know having watched it 4 or 5 times then you can see it brushes Elmander but it was close and I dont think the linesman can make that decision that quickly and I was amazed the flag didnt go up"

Lets get this straight. If everyone else needs 4 or 5 replays to see its a clean goal and the linesman makes that determination from real play and awards the proper decision then we should fall to our knees and thank the officials for being so professional. Thats spectacular to call a decision that everyone else needs a few looks at. However, Gray labels him as a buffoon and essentially says he gets right from luck.

I f***ing hate that. My god those guys have hundreds of horrible calls to make and I'll never criticise them for getting something wrong when a decision can only be determined in slow motion.

However, Gray ignores their professionalism and tars them with his own standards i.e. if I dont see it first time then you dont. That guy deserves maximum credit from calling that goal correct first time around yet all SkySports can do is question his integrity - wan%er$ !!!

Edited January 3, 2011 by Rory Fitzgerald

Earl Hafler · January 3, 2011