Darren Ambrose was left in tears after criticising Peter Bankes’ refereeing during West Ham’s 2-2 draw with Newcastle United on Sunday at the London Stadium.
There were a number of questionable incidents in the first half, including a second yellow card for West Ham striker Bruno Gueiro and the referee’s decision-making on who should be booked for dissent.
Ambrose, a Sky Sports pundit, did not want to talk about the referee during the game, but he was left in tears because of Bankes’ inconsistency.
Ambrose stated the following on Sunday, October 8 at 2:36 p.m. on Sky Sports News: “The inconsistent officiating in this game alone has been a disgrace.
“Look, it’s Peter Bankes; you don’t want to sit here whining about referees all the time.
What happened was that Lascelles had a great forward run, and Lucas Paqueta committed a cynical foul that was quite similar to Guimaraes’ and should have resulted in a booking but didn’t. Almiron is motioning once more for a yellow card, even though he already handed Emerson one. Guimaraes should have been handed a red card, but he simply gave Michail Antonio a yellow card and a foul following an incredible display of talent from Isak.
“It’s the inconsistency we’re always complaining about and it’s coming to fruition once again in this game.
“There’ll be more goals and more yellow cards, if not red cards, in this game because the referee is losing control.”
Referees not helping themselves
Over the past week, the standard of English football refereeing has been the subject of back pages. The Liverpool v Tottenham VAR controversy highlighted major shortcomings in the way the game is played at the Stockley Park, but in the final analysis, it is impossible to make the game work when the refereeing is inconsistent with their own judgement.
Michael Oliver can be forgiven for saying a foul is a foul. Paul Tierney can also be forgiven for saying it is a foul, as these things are to a certain extent subjective.
Why would Bankes book Emerson for asking him to call on a player and not do so for Almiron?
It is no surprise that fans are coming out in droves to suggest that there is a sinister motive behind the refereeing decisions, as it is so inconceivable that they would do some of these things.
The English Premier League is supposed to be one of the best leagues in the world, and yet it is being managed by a pack of incompetent clowns.
