A-League Mens 25/26 - Round 13

[NoMates]

CCM only pulled in 1k crowd once again, and once again i predicted it. 6 months tops!

 

[patjennings]

CCM only pulled in 1k crowd once again, and once again i predicted it. 6 months tops!

New owner - 6 weeks tops!!!

 

[FeedTheBrox]

The rule is pretty clear, if the keepers line of vision is blocked by a player in an offside position it doesnt matter if the ball goes between his legs or sails into the top corner (unsaveable),

But the offside player wasn't blocking the vision of the keeper.

I also think the referee or VAR should have to factor in the probability of the keeper saving it in this situation. No keeper in the world is saving that. In football, the attacking team is always supposed to be given the benefit of the doubt.

I really want the referee's department to come out and say they stuffed up, but I am not holding my breath.

 

[FeedTheBrox]

I was at the Adelaide vs MV game and that game was easily the greatest game I've ever been to.

The atmosphere was absolutely off the charts.

Always satisfying to see the Victory get beaten no matter who it is.

I was there too. It was a great atmosphere and vibe. Obviously spewing we lost and the circumstances behind it, but Saturday night was the A-League at it's best and the A-League as it should be.

It helps playing in boutique stadiums made for football. More of this please.

 

[patjennings]

But the offside player wasn't blocking the vision of the keeper.

I also think the referee or VAR should have to factor in the probability of the keeper saving it in this situation. No keeper in the world is saving that. In football, the attacking team is always supposed to be given the benefit of the doubt.

I really want the referee's department to come out and say they stuffed up, but I am not holding my breath.

There was no doubt - he was in an offside position interfering with play. The ref's didn't stuff up - they did their job. Why should the VAR factor in things that aren't in the Laws of the Game. He is not only blocking the shot as is the Adelaide player but he then moves across in the keepers line of sight. Given a clear view after the Adelaide player there are plenty of keepers that would back themselves to save it, especially when considering where the keeper was.

You think this is the only time this has happened - it happens every season and probably in every league.

 

[someguyjc]

But the offside player wasn't blocking the vision of the keeper.

I also think the referee or VAR should have to factor in the probability of the keeper saving it in this situation. No keeper in the world is saving that. In football, the attacking team is always supposed to be given the benefit of the doubt.

I really want the referee's department to come out and say they stuffed up, but I am not holding my breath.

They would take the stance that if the offside MV player wasn't there at the moment, then maybe the keeper would be taking a slightly different position. Maybe he is closer to the near post. So although the keeper technically has visibility, the question is, is the offside player causing the keeper to be in that position? If so, then it's offside. That would be the refs reasoning.
That being said, we know that pre-VAR this would have been a goal. Flag was down. Even the Adelaide players/keeper are not protesting and calling for offside, they just have that look of disappointment.

 

[patjennings]

Absolutely it would have stood, unless you had the situation as it was in 2013-14 when there were additional ARs behind the goal which would have made it an easy decision.

There is no longer the additional ARs and we do use VAR to adjudicate on offside. The part of the law (even if you say the Adelaide player unsighted the keeper) is movement of the MV player is "making an obvious action which clearly impacts on the ability of an opponent to play the ball"

 

[Monoethnic Social Club]

Geezer on today said it was a bad call. But hey controversial moments get people talking

I thought he was a mad Villa supporter, does he also watch Aleague? Thats wild, have you got a link, I love Geezer.

 

[Monoethnic Social Club]

Central Coast Mariners with a 1-1 draw against Macarthur in the penultimate game of A-League Men matchday 13 after Luke Vickery scored in the 67th minute and Sabit Ngor equalised in the 77th minute. Mitch Duke came on in the 61st minute for Macarthur, getting an assist on club debut on the first goal of the game in the 67th minute.

Oli LAvale debut ... and missed a sitter one on one with keeper.....

 

[Monoethnic Social Club]

The fact that the ref had to stare at the video screen for ages, plus get the fourth official to watch it with him and get his opinion, surely shows that it’s not an clear and obvious error. It’s VAR overreach.

Thats 100% my beef with VAR application... It was pitched as being there to stop the howlers... "clear and obvious error" shouldn't take more than 2 glances to review.

 

[tsf]

Anyone saying it’s offside any day of the week clear offside etc etc is talking nonsense.

Fucking nobody knew it was offside, it took four refs ten minutes to debate it to get to a decision.

There is no way it’s a clear and obvious error, can accept the decision begrudgingly.

 

[Monoethnic Social Club]

Anyone saying it’s offside any day of the week clear offside etc etc is talking nonsense.

Fucking nobody knew it was offside, it took four refs ten minutes to debate it to get to a decision.

There is no way it’s a clear and obvious error, can accept the decision begrudgingly.

Didn't see the match but going on this image alone mate its pretty clearly offside, even if the ball was tucked in on the keeprs left, the #23 is still in his line of site...

 

[someguyjc]

Thats 100% my beef with VAR application... It was pitched as being there to stop the howlers... "clear and obvious error" shouldn't take more than 2 glances to review.

Should have a timer.
Once the on-field ref goes to the screen he has 90-120 seconds review the footage. (Personally 90 secs should be sufficient)
If it's compelling enough, he should be able to confirm the decision within that timeframe.
If he cannot come to a decision within that 90 seconds, then the screen automatically turns off and the original decision stands.
We are usually only talking about 1-2 seconds of video and usually only a couple of frames.

 

[someguyjc]

Below is from an email that Melbourne Victory just sent to members:

---

On behalf of the Club, I want to express our gratitude to the large number of supporters who travelled to Adelaide for our double header on Saturday, as well as those who supported our teams from home. Your commitment and passion, as always, are integral to Melbourne Victory and the Club’s success.

While the results in both the A-League Women’s and Men’s matches didn’t go our way, the fixtures reflected much of what the A-League represents at its best - passion, excitement, and quality football. They also highlighted that the officiating standard in the A-League must improve.

As outlined in our Fan Engagement Plan released ahead of the season, we are committed to open, transparent and authentic communication with our members and fans. With that in mind, I want to share our position and actions regarding the officiating in Saturday night’s Men’s fixture.

Yesterday, the Club formally wrote to Football Australia seeking clarification on the offside VAR decision that ruled out Matthew Grimaldi’s goal in the 88th minute. We requested a clear explanation of the decision itself, the process followed, the release of the VAR audio and their view and expectation on the length of time taken to reach a decision. The initial response we have received is that the decision was correct and managed within the rules of the game and the VAR protocols.

Notwithstanding this, we are really disappointed with the decision, particularly given that VAR exists to support match officials and ensure they can reach correct outcomes and conclusions in respect of clear and obvious errors, not to allow further subjective, yet delayed decision-making outside of real-time.

While we acknowledge further information on this will not change the result of the match, in our view, the issue is bigger than one fixture or one decision - it is about raising refereeing standards and/or reviewing protocols and procedures to ensure accountability, so future matches are not impacted in the same way, and with that in mind, we will continue to review and consider the response received so far on the matter.

Football Australia has a responsibility to ensure A-League matches are always officiated to the highest possible standard, particularly given the level of funding the League provides to assist with this. As a Club, we also have a role to play. We are committed to supporting any initiatives that help match officials reach and maintain elite international standards, whether on the field, on the sideline, as fourth officials or in VAR.

In recent weeks, multiple clubs across the league have questioned significant officiating decisions which directly impact the perception of the quality of professional football and how football supporters feel about investing their time, money and emotion into our game. While we know people will perceive our stance on this to be linked purely to the outcome of the game this weekend, our concern is not about one moment in isolation; it’s about advocating for continued improvement and higher standards that everyone involved in the A-League deserves. We will work with the League, and we know they will in turn, work with Clubs and stakeholders to continue to improve the quality of our game as a whole, while Melbourne Victory will continue to push for positive change because our game, our Club and our supporters deserve this.

---

 

[Monoethnic Social Club]

Should have a timer.
Once the on-field ref goes to the screen he has 90-120 seconds review the footage. (Personally 90 secs should be sufficient)
If it's compelling enough, he should be able to confirm the decision within that timeframe.
If he cannot come to a decision within that 90 seconds, then the screen automatically turns off and the original decision stands.
We are usually only talking about 1-2 seconds of video and usually only a couple of frames.

Hey I like that idea....

 

[Robbos]

Thats 100% my beef with VAR application... It was pitched as being there to stop the howlers... "clear and obvious error" shouldn't take more than 2 glances to review.

Exactly my view on VAR, it should be ref's decision, unless it's a bloody howler & seen very quickly, clear & obvious error, if people have to debate it, let them over the ref's decision.

 

[AUFC_Fan]

Below is from an email that Melbourne Victory just sent to members:

---

On behalf of the Club, I want to express our gratitude to the large number of supporters who travelled to Adelaide for our double header on Saturday, as well as those who supported our teams from home. Your commitment and passion, as always, are integral to Melbourne Victory and the Club’s success.

While the results in both the A-League Women’s and Men’s matches didn’t go our way, the fixtures reflected much of what the A-League represents at its best - passion, excitement, and quality football. They also highlighted that the officiating standard in the A-League must improve.

As outlined in our Fan Engagement Plan released ahead of the season, we are committed to open, transparent and authentic communication with our members and fans. With that in mind, I want to share our position and actions regarding the officiating in Saturday night’s Men’s fixture.

Yesterday, the Club formally wrote to Football Australia seeking clarification on the offside VAR decision that ruled out Matthew Grimaldi’s goal in the 88th minute. We requested a clear explanation of the decision itself, the process followed, the release of the VAR audio and their view and expectation on the length of time taken to reach a decision. The initial response we have received is that the decision was correct and managed within the rules of the game and the VAR protocols.

Notwithstanding this, we are really disappointed with the decision, particularly given that VAR exists to support match officials and ensure they can reach correct outcomes and conclusions in respect of clear and obvious errors, not to allow further subjective, yet delayed decision-making outside of real-time.

While we acknowledge further information on this will not change the result of the match, in our view, the issue is bigger than one fixture or one decision - it is about raising refereeing standards and/or reviewing protocols and procedures to ensure accountability, so future matches are not impacted in the same way, and with that in mind, we will continue to review and consider the response received so far on the matter.

Football Australia has a responsibility to ensure A-League matches are always officiated to the highest possible standard, particularly given the level of funding the League provides to assist with this. As a Club, we also have a role to play. We are committed to supporting any initiatives that help match officials reach and maintain elite international standards, whether on the field, on the sideline, as fourth officials or in VAR.

In recent weeks, multiple clubs across the league have questioned significant officiating decisions which directly impact the perception of the quality of professional football and how football supporters feel about investing their time, money and emotion into our game. While we know people will perceive our stance on this to be linked purely to the outcome of the game this weekend, our concern is not about one moment in isolation; it’s about advocating for continued improvement and higher standards that everyone involved in the A-League deserves. We will work with the League, and we know they will in turn, work with Clubs and stakeholders to continue to improve the quality of our game as a whole, while Melbourne Victory will continue to push for positive change because our game, our Club and our supporters deserve this.

---

Let me play the world's smallest violin whilst you complain about a correct decision.

Don't recall Adelaide reacting in such a way when this happened to us against you guys

 

[patjennings]

Anyone saying it’s offside any day of the week clear offside etc etc is talking nonsense.

Fucking nobody knew it was offside, it took four refs ten minutes to debate it to get to a decision.

There is no way it’s a clear and obvious error, can accept the decision begrudgingly.

That is the real problem. It was offside. Why did it take so long!!!

 

[FeedTheBrox]

Below is from an email that Melbourne Victory just sent to members:

---

I like this.

Let fans of other clubs ridicule us if they like, but I want the club to communicate their views with the fans when it comes to controversial incidents that impact games.

Many of us spend a lot of money travelling to Adelaide every year and it’s not unreasonable to expect the officiating to be fair. As a regular traveller to Adelaide, we have been on the wrong end of many bad decisions over the years. Was this one the worst I have seen? No, I could probably list 3 or 4 that was worse.

On top of that, what Caroline is saying is correct. The VAR has been highly inconsistent this season (not just for us). And this needs to be corrected. Mark Milligan has been pretty vocal about this in his press conferences.

I would say I am a big supporter of the VAR, but they need to revert to what it was originally intended for… clear and obvious errors.

 

[ashtongate]

But the offside player wasn't blocking the vision of the keeper.

I also think the referee or VAR should have to factor in the probability of the keeper saving it in this situation. No keeper in the world is saving that. In football, the attacking team is always supposed to be given the benefit of the doubt.

I really want the referee's department to come out and say they stuffed up, but I am not holding my breath.

So because it was such a great shot, it should have been a goal?