Some Smart People have confirmed what you already knew about Premiership Referees

By: Bob | October 30th, 2006

I have to give those in academia a lot of credit. They are always finding ways to watch football in the “name of science.”

The latest brilliant scam involves researchers from Bath, Otago in New Zealand, St Andrews and Wales, Bangor, who watched 2,660 English Premier League games (that’s like one weekend in my household) over several seasons to determine what we all already knew: referees favor the home team, underdogs receive more yellow and red cards than favorites do, and some referees are more likely to punish players than others.

“Managers have been right to highlight inconsistencies and controversial decisions in games, but without a proper analysis of refereeing decisions over a period of time, their comments look like the usual post-match gripe, especially if they are on the losing side,” said Dr Peter Dawson, an Economics lecturer at the University of Bath.

What’s next? Are they going to watch thousands of football so they can do a study on the numbers of players who fake injuries?

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Category: English Premier League

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whataloadof

What a load of rubbish...I only have to refer you to Liverpool FC v. Chelsea on saturday jast passed. My gripe? Rob Styles behaviour towards Liverpool EVEN THOUGH LFC WERE PLAYING AT HOME. A penalty call even Andy Gray couldnt dream of giving, then booking 2 key players from LFC when they dared do a Man Utd and Chelsea special and argue their case. Chelsea didnt deserve anything from that game except at least 3 more bookings and at least 1 more red card...therefore I give you a shining example that referees DO NOT always favour the home team...those teams that are allowed by ruling bodies to intimidate the referees, linesman and governing bodies are the fortunate few who receive the favourable treatment!
Abe

I wonder how much they got paid to come up with that conclusion. Is there a sport out there where the home team doesn't have an advantage?