What An Incredible Fluke XXXVIII!

The Guardian could not have timed their spurious ill-founded and disinformational campaign in support of the referees any more poorly - three articles in one week is not balanced journalism...

Martin Atkinson with a ghost goal and a non-sending off in the biggest English match of the day.
Mark Halsey with two entirely incorrect decisions regarding penalties in the biggest Premier League game.
Euan Norris with two assymetric decisions that decided a Scottish Cup semi final.
And Chris Foy starting the weekend off with a Favour for Fergie by booking Tevez for diving rather than giving the penalty.

Quality.

With Atkinson's historical favouring of Chelsea, the PGMOB bias to Man Utd, Mr Norris and his tilt to Rangers and Foy's 14 wins, 4 draws and 1 loss on Man Utd games, the mistakes were par for the course!!!

As The Guardian told us Roy Hodgson had said, the English referees are "probably the best in Europe" - at what exactly?

Hodgson's West Brom gained a victory at the weekend with pet ref Jon Moss in control - perhaps that is good officiating in Hodgson's myopia.

Meanwhile Willie McKay's Doncaster Rovers were relegated from the Championship. Doncaster manager Dean Saunders blamed all four goals his side conceded on poor decisions and questioned whether referee Mick Russell should be allowed to officiate again.

Arsene Wenger believes it is time football embraces the assistance video replays would provide for referees, as has been done in cricket, tennis and rugby league.
"We need to assess the global situation and I think all of the football authorities need to sit together and see how we can improve it," Wenger said.
"It's time for us to help the referees and all be united and have a less conservative approach. And opt for video because video will help the referees.
It will not question their authority, it will give them more credit, more authority and less mistakes.
"(Video replays) would not stop the game. Sometimes it will give an even more flow to the game.
"We have to accept that we have the most conservative approach compared to any other sport. It can be a strength. But on the refereeing side, I think it's a weakness."

Can't see the bookmakers and the other power-brokers in the game allowing that...

Still four big televised games on Grand National Weekend altered by seemingly random decision-making - "hoping and guessing" as Mark Hughes said...

What a weird fluke!