Following yesterday’s match at Everton, NFFC issued a statement highlighting our concern at the perception of the PGMOL appointment of VAR for the game. This was an issue we raised with PGMOL prior to the fixture because of the fear of the side show that would ensue if anything went wrong with officiating in the game. That fear has materialised, as the correctness of three important decisions against the Club have been called into doubt. This is not about individuals but rather how the integrity of the game is seen. We know match officials do not allow outside factors to influence their decision-making and that all referees are required to declare their ‘allegiances’ to PGMOL to avoid any perceived conflict or harm to the game’s reputation for integrity. However, it is clear PGMOL must amend its rule on allegiances to account for contextual rivalries in the league table, not just local rivalries. This is currently not within the criteria but should be. Mere reliance on match officials to recuse themselves if contextual rivalries exist invites conjecture, as some have recused themselves where others have not. NFFC stands by its request for greater transparency around PGMOL appointments to further protect the game’s reputation, as intended in PGMOL’s existing approach to allegiances. Given the widespread and ongoing concerns, not merely of the fans, players and managers of this Club but of many others and the pundits too, over VAR decisions throughout this season any move which boosts confidence in the system should be properly considered.
@OfficialFFTV @NFFC Guessing you were this vocal when Spurs had a perfectly onside goal scored against them in September chalked off in their favour
@BrianNewson @OfficialFFTV @NFFC Were you, when Diaz scored a perfectly onside goal against Spurs? Point is, we’re all hypocrites. Those at the very top can’t be complicit in our hypocrisy though, they need to be above it.
@JamespgLFC @OfficialFFTV @NFFC Mate - that's my point - teams and fans only kick off when it happens to them - Diaz incident worst of the lot because it wasn't subjective or party to the 'clear and obvious error' clause
@BrianNewson @OfficialFFTV @NFFC Ah my bad. I didn’t read your intent correctly