This is an official club statement from Motherwell FC!!! Wading into a VAR controversy to fan the flames before a title decider.
Let's be clear about what's happening here. A penalty is awarded under the rules of the game. The media machine starts within minutes. Pundits who couldn't name a handball rule if their career depended on it start performing outrage for clicks. English broadcasters who couldn't point to Fir Park on a map are suddenly experts on Scottish refereeing standards. And now a football club is issuing statements about the world mocking Scottish football.
The world isn't mocking Scottish football. A few thousand people on social media with an agenda are making noise. That's not the same thing.
Remember when the referees went on strike because Celtic criticised their performance? The establishment response to scrutiny of officials in this country has always been one-directional. Question a decision that goes against Celtic and you're attacking the integrity of the game. Question a decision that goes for Celtic and you get a Motherwell FC press release.
The agenda here isn't subtle. Get the officials into Saturday's game rattled, under pressure, knowing that any 50/50 going Celtic's way will bring the whole sorry circus back. It's been running since the final whistle and everyone involved knows exactly what they're doing.
I hate Arsenal, irrationally, as I explained at weekend. But my argument over VAR with them and West Ham was largely goal was given, and about 20 Arsenal fouls in box were ignored at same time. And that's me being irrational.
In Scotland, I get desperation for Hearts to win. In on it. But that Motherwell handball against Celtic is not only clearest you'll see, but also involved another foul in same action, as in elbowing a guy in head.
The reaction is mental.
What do people want VAR to do here 😂😂😂
The best clip in football history:
- the build up play
- the overhead kick
- the dejection from Butland
- the players running away to celebrate
- Arne Engels hands on head reaction
- the fans shouting 'MAEDA' in unison
I will never get bored of this clip.