We are often angry on them, they are easy target for bad clubs who want to justify defeat, always under heavy pressure, sometimes getting life threats. Some of them make mistakes for which we think are on purpose, but the game can not start without them. They are "Man in black" or football referees. Football referee from Premier League Andre Marriner is one of them. 47 years old man from Birmingham was in charge for yesterday's game between Fulham and Borunemouth. He didn't have easy task, but he did it perfectly!
First situation for magnifying glass was penalty for Bournemouth. Bournemouth player has run in the box in good position, Mensah from Fulham run near him and then something happen and away player was down and referee point to the spot! I was in shock, I thought contact was not so hard, but on slow motion I saw tricky move by Mensah who hit with his hips opponent player and made obvious foul for penalty! Well done good decision!
Then even heavier situation has happen. Infamous anti hero of the game Kamara from Fulham has got the ball in front of goalkeeper kick it near him and then make move like he has been tripped and fell in the box. Pressure from terraces was big, as crowd started to scream for penalty, Kamara turned around to see referee just to get surprised with YELLOW CARD for simulation and cheat attempt! He was very surprised. I must confess that if I was referee I would point to the spot, but that would be very very wrong! Slow motion discovered this dishonest fall. After watching I asked myself how stupid that player need to be to fall in 100% position and empty net. He could just run and shoot from askance to empty net and score!
Marriner did not whistle for 1 foul for Bournemouth during first half, every signaled foul by Fulham players was foul for real.
Later in second half he gave red card to frustrated Mcdonald who made desperate tackle on Bournemouth player missed the ball and made foul preventing 100% chance for away side. Again correct decision! Well done!
Only mistake was near the end when banned with yellow card anti hero Kamara prayed for second yellow card and sent off by kicking the ball from the spot after foul. He just called capitain of Fulham to make conversation on that. However decision not to be to strict in situation where Fulham has been broken, already man down and game decided was not so bad.
It is no wonder that Mariner is on FIFA list as category 1 referee. He has moved great on the pitch and has seen every controversial situation right. Other 'man in black' should look up at him. He is the doctor among them or "hawk eye". Well done Doctor Marriner!
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