30. 33. 43. 69.
Just 4 minutes. 4 crucial minutes which could have a major impact on our season. These 4 minutes are significant when referring to the Chelsea v Burnley game last weekend at Stamford Bridge, where referee Martin Atkinson had a much less than impressive performance. Jose Mourinho, the players, and all Chelsea fans were speechless and outraged, and rightly so. Referees and the FA as a whole have received much criticism this season, for inconsistency and some poor decisions (regarding all teams, not just Chelsea) , and, after viewing Chelsea vs Burnley, it isn’t very hard to see why..
Minute 30
The ball was launched high into the air to be contested by Branislav Ivanovic and Ashley Barnes. Ashley Barnes connects with Iva’s lower back/upper legs with a forceful jumping knee as the two challenge for a header. It’s clear by Iva’s yelp that he was in pain, but no free-kick was awarded. Fans, pundits and many members of media acknowledged that such a tackle should warrant a free-kick AND a yellow card for Ashley Barnes, but neither were given. Match of the Day pundit Alan Shearer commented on the tackle, “He kicks out, with studs into the back of Ivanovic’s hamstring, and that should be a yellow card.” This set the tempo and scene for a few more rough tackles and poor decisions.
Minute 33
Ivanovic is involved again, but this time, in a penalty appeal. After some build-up play, newbie Juan Cuadrado pulled the ball back for Ivanovic to strike, the ball then travels a short distance and hits the raised arm of Michael Kightly, who is slightly turned away from the ball. His arm is very far out from his body, and when Iva strikes it, Kightly is quite a distance away from him. For me, for the players, for Jose, AND for many pundits, this is a blatant handball and Chelsea should have been awarded a penalty, giving us the chance to go ahead by 2 goals which would have been vital. Atkinson awarded no penalty, again warranting much frustration for all. Another poor decision.
Minute 43
Another denied penalty. We are all aware of Diego Costa’s aggressive determination and work rate when we don’t have the ball, and this was an excellent example of such. Diego dispossesses Jason Shackell and begins to make a penetrating run across the box. In an attempt to make up for his mistake, Shackell clearly pushes Diego to the ground, much to the striker’s anger. Diego is a physical player, and despite rival fan’s opinions, he doesn’t go to ground easily. His reaction is enough to convince anyone that he believes he deserves a penalty. AGAIN, Atkinson waves play on, a terrible decision. Shearer commented on this decision too, “You can tell by Costa’s reaction, by the way he slams the turf with his fists, what he thinks about it. It should be a penalty.”
Minute 69
The most controversial of them all. The events that took place within this minute have been played and replayed constantly in Sport’s Studios and on social media websites. Ashley Barnes was controversially involved again. The balls veers away from him and as he contests for it with Nemanja Matic, Barnes goes over the top of the ball and connects horrifically with the defensive midfielder’s leg. When slowed down and shown from different angles, it’s clear that this tackle was absolutely horrendous, one that should have absolutely warranted a red card for Barnes. Matic, luckily, was not harmed, but he was aware of the possible consequences of such a challenge and reacted furiously. He quickly gets up and runs toward Barnes, pushing him in the chest to the ground. Martin Atkinson then shows Matic a red card, much to the player’s disbelief. Barnes received no booking. The tackle was essentially a leg-breaker, which many panelists, pundits and others have admitted. We are lucky that one of our star players is not badly injured, and I’m sure Matic feels the same. His straight red means he will be out for our important Capital One Cup Final clash with Tottenham this weekend, as well as being out for both our games against West Ham and Southampton in the Premier League.
Barnes’ challenge was reviewed, and he will not face any further punishment, a horrendous decision in my view. Ashley Barnes could have ended Nemanja’s career, and, although his reaction was wrong and not allowed, it’s understandable as to why he did such. The FA mentioned that because Barnes went for the ball and there was no intent to hurt another player, that he would not face further punishment. But hang on a minute, didn’t Diego Costa go for the ball when he ‘stamped’ on Emre Can? It’s clear that Diego had his eyes on the ball, suggesting he had no intention of hurting Can. What is the difference? Diego’s so-called ‘horrendous stamp’ could not harm Can near as much as Barnes could have hurt Matic, so why is this different?
All of this, combined with many of the decisions Chelsea have wrongly not been awarded this season, bring about, yet again the question, is there a Campaign against Chelsea Football Club? Many say this belief is ridiculous, but after all that’s happened, I fully understand why many have such a belief. Referees this season have been inconsistent and complacent in matches involving ALL teams, not just Chelsea, although many of the most controversial involve Chelsea. We have been on the wrong end of decisions too many times this season in my opinion. Referee must be more consistent. The FA must be seen as a fair association that deals with all allegations and problems involving all clubs and players equally, it’s the only way these complaints will go away.
Despite all of the decisions that have went against us this season, we are still ahead of Manchester City by 5 points. Mind the gap, lads!
