BTRFTG

Mount had one

Oh God - I thought I'd been watching Chris Martin....

Recall this is primarily EPL & CL. Other top leagues may use VAR 'if available' and no surprises that's at the biggest clubs. In the EPL 'Offside' systems are calibrated to the pitch, all same size bar 3 I believe, but the number of and quality of cameras covering the broadcast element, all of which are used by VAR in other decisions, varies according to fixture and stadium, so not an entirely level playing field. We often hear pundits, and presumably officials, asking for the 'best view' of an incident. The difference between 2 and 5 cameras capturing an incident could lead to different conclusions.

But that's point. Beyond what reasonable doubt, for whom and when? When I was a kid refs and umpires made honest calls, quickly giving decisions based upon what they thought beyond doubt. Mostly they were correct. Occasionally they weren't, but life went on and it gave participants and fans something to talk about. Players (and fans) had a rapport with the officials who were respected. Today we have officials afraid to give even the most basic and obvious decisions for fear of making a mistake. Players know and exploit this. In football this has increased cheating beyond measure and is rapidly becoming the ruination of the game. In cricket we've umpires at square calling for the TV Umpire to adjudicate a run-out when the batsman isn't within 2 yards of the crease. Fans conclude (correctly) if you can't call that what chance the millimetres at bowling crease, line of leg stump, or wicket? Egg-chasing - don't get me started on a game so stupid the officials have to inform the players what they may or may not do, therefore allowing the officials to control the game. That's why certain sides prefer certain officials and play to their predilections. A game so stupid that despite any amount of cameras at scrums the ball is 'competitively' fed to the feet of the second row, at line outs nowhere near where the non-throwing team may compete for the ball, or at rucks where the ball is adjudged to under control under a toenail yards from the opposition. If sport's requirement is to always reach the correct decision irrespective of its impact on both game and spectacle its called it badly, for competitive game and spectacle it no longer is.

So anybody who says VAR exists to eliminate errors is incorrect. If it isn't designed to eliminate all error, however marginal, then why bother? For example, in the same league are there always the same number of cameras, of equal definition, covering identical areas of the pitch? If not, has anybody looked as to whether the more prominent clubs, with greater coverage and higher definition are in receipt of differential calling to their peers? Why not simply allow marginal error - by giving back total control to the officials?

Which he'd have blasted high/wide * * Delete as appropriate

Possibly, but that's stupid as well. Like deciding what % of the ball has to be impacting the stumps or in line, then changing the law to suit every time there's controversy. How much of a ball does it take to remove a bail and how was that verified? I don't believe the tolerances inherent within technology allow for the extrapolations made. We now blindly believe that technology supposedly tells us what 'would' have happened. Like Warne's first ball in The Ashes scooting to the boundary for 4 byes.

Neither was it obviously right, so by that logic officials errors may continue to be given provided they're not overly incorrect. I say again, why does VAR exist if not to eliminate errors?

Dive. Isn't it in VARs remit to review whether contact (not an offence) is commensurate with the reaction that follows? CR7 went over like he'd been rear ended by a TR7 not scratched by the longer hairs on a Ghanaian's thigh.

Say it again...

Somebody explain what VAR's supposed to be for?

Compared to Paul Lambert McCoist has Received Pronunciation.....

In which case avoid SE3 as my air rifle is primed and I love a moving target....

This presenting isolating Covid case for one. And yes, timings suggest I acquired it at AG.

Don't get cocky as French summer hailstones are the only ones to have left my hire car with more dimples than a golf ball and screens (front and rear) with more cracks than a City defence. Motorway like a scene from The Blues Brothers. As for the gite's roof and veluxes when we made it back.....

Funny that as the footage showed him being restrained from twice going back for 'more'. Guess he deployed the 'attack is the best form of defence' argument. To remind, an Under 12's match....

He would but from the way they played he might have to queue up amongst the rest taking potshots on target.

Bloody awful news. I had no idea that was the reason for not appearing post match. I don't think they mentioned she had to leave, hence I thought it odd when she vanished. Poor woman and what dreadful circumstance to learn of such tragedy.

What makes this post so satisfying is it starts with absurdist conjecture, builds through additional, illogical premise only erupt into a sanity questioning volte-face. Against all known reason one of the biggest draws in world football has foresworn stunning locations around the world, iconic stadia, clubs with history so extensive they don't make honours boards big enough, to play at a Horfield camping site - for nothing. And would you jump at the chance? No, he doesn't your building plan (sic)...... Sublime.

I've an acoustic architect mate who was commissioned to deliver a project for his (now sadly departed,) son. Put it this way. However bizarre an idea sounds, irrespective of how unreasonable the cost, however extravagant the minute detail, never, ever, ever give it short shrift. Nigel balanced on scales weighted by gold, far too simple.....

Personally i don't care for it, neither do I find her ideas original. As for Margate.... If you're into installations I refer you to 'King' Edward Keinholz, whose major retrospective I was fortunate to catch in NY years back. When done well an immersive experience. Badly, it just recalls countless 'house parties' of my youth around the art colleges of South London.

La Gazzetta dello Sport reporting one of their correspondents asked The Pope if the Catholic Church are interested in buying Man U? You'll never guess his response.....

Might he be related to the Ashley Williams charged with violent and improper conduct at an Under 12 boys fixture in Manchester? Methinks broadcasters need to take set an example else be forced to set an example should they continue their adversarial undermining of officials that seeks only to boost TV ratings.

Bet365 'Bore Draw' refunds working overtime....

National Gallery Member and lucky enough to have visited most major collections around the globe. I can recommend the latest Homer exhibition but would skip the Freud. Also chanced upon the Museu Diocesa in Palma the other werk, small gem if, like me, you love art history.