Jurgen Klopp admits he has ‘no idea’ what the rules are as Premier League referees clamp down on shirt-pulling
Refereeing inconsistency descends into farce again as three different penalty incidents leave managers perplexed
JURGEN KLOPP admitted he had ‘no idea’ what the rules are when it comes to grappling in the box.
Refereeing inconsistency descended into a farce yesterday with THREE different penalty incidents leaving managers perplexed.
Fans all over the country chanted ‘You don’t know what you’re doing’ at officials.
Robert Madley did not award Klopp’s Liverpool a spot-kick when Jan Vertonghen clearly pulled Joel Matip’s shirt at a corner.
Instead, he blew his whistle to warn the players over grappling and the corner was retaken.
But the ball was already in play, leaving Klopp in a rage after the 1-1 draw.
Mike Dean DID give a penalty to Crystal Palace for Charlie Daniels’ tug on Christian Benteke, to take his tally to three penalty awards in two games.
And over at Goodison, Stoke boss Mark Hughes was fuming again as his side conceded another spot-kick having seen Dean give one against them last weekend.
On his incident, Klopp said: “If the ref waits one second then it is 100 per cent a penalty, do we have to make the corner quicker?
“Ask him what the rules are. I’ve no idea what is right.
“I would prefer he said nothing and watched the situation and then it is a penalty.”
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Dean did give two penalties for similar, although perhaps less obvious, offences for both Stoke and Manchester City in the same game last week.
That sent the debate raging over what will be deemed a foul and how many penalties will be awarded if referees keep up this interpretation of the rules.
Current and former whistlers visited all Premier League clubs in pre-season to talk players through how officials will be interpreting the new Fifa laws.
But there were no specific rule changes in this area.
The ruling referees’ body, the Professional Game Match Officials, states ‘physical contact is an acceptable part of football’.
But it outlined considerations used by officials when an act of holding is identified.
Players who ONLY focus on their opponent and pay no attention to the ball run a high risk of being penalised.
As do those footballers who clearly hold an opponent by pulling their shirt, or extend their arm to pull back a run.
But the Premier League deny there has been a change on grappling rules.
A spokesman told SunSport: “There is no clampdown and there aren’t any new laws in this area.
“It’s just a case that we were asked by the clubs if this season’s meetings could include some guidance on holding.”
Hughes is considering changing tactics after being left fuming with Michael Oliver, who awarded Ashley Williams a penalty.
There seemed to be no contact and Hughes admitted: “We are seriously having to consider zonal marking because the current situation is too damaging for us.
“Referees are under a lot of pressure. All we are asking for is consistency.
“Williams went down. There was no pushing or pulling. He just went down. It’s a very harsh award of a penalty. I have never used zonal marking in my career but it may help us.
“I’m sure there will similar incidents this weekend which will go unpunished.”
Clearly he was right, as Spurs star Vertonghen got away with his one on Kop newboy Matip.
Even Everton chief Ronald Koeman admitted: “Mark will be angry about that. It’s the second time Stoke have had that and the referees are not consistent.”
Palace boss Alan Pardew warned others to watch out for the sharp eyes of Dean after his 1-1 draw with Bournemouth. Dean spotted Daniels’ pull on Palace debutant Benteke.
And Pardew said: “He gave two penalties last week. If you pulled a shirt, you were definitely going to be in trouble.
“And I have got no problem with that because he showed consistency today did Mike Dean.
“Their player pulled a shirt. It’s a penalty for me. Fair play.”
Cherries chief Eddie Howe had no obvious argument with the decision but said: “I’m not a massive fan of the new rule.
“I said that during the week and I’m not just saying it because it affected my team today.”
Ahead of his team’s trip to Manchester City today, West Ham star Angelo Ogbonna has hit out at the clampdown. He said: “I’m a defender so I hope the ref can see the right things.
“These changes are not good for me because we’re players, not dancers and this is our work.
“Sometimes we must fight to win challenges and you can be lucky or unlucky, but this change makes it impossible for us.”