UEFA, the Referees & Contoversies etc etc...

             Now we have heard and read enough from both the Arsenal and Barcelona camps,about how they truly deserved to progress to the Quarterfinals of the Champions League.Listening to any one's side of the story,you can't help but feel they are right in their place.But then, I do not wish to take any sides on that.But has anyone noticed that such controversies happen almost every year in Champions League these days? It's supposed to be the most coveted prize in World Football,alongside the World Cup itself.We would tend to expect quite high standards of Officiating,wouldn't we? But then, we have always been disappointed.Right from Luis Garcia's "Phantom Goal" that took Liverpool to glory in 2005 (Mind you,there would be no Istanbul,had that goal not been counted!),to some horrible performances from Tom Henning Ovrebo for last 2 years,right to the last week's disgusting decision making by the Swiss ref Massimo Busacca,we have always had such avoidable controversies.                                 

Robin van Persie was sent off at Camp Nou,for not hearing the whistle,amidst the roaring 95,000 fans

                                                
                 Robin van Persie may have been sent off for not playing to the whistle at any other stadium in the world than Camp Nou.Hundred thousand fans baying for his blood,surely he can't be penalised for such thing there.How is he even supposed to hear the whistle? His actions suggested indeed he failed to hear it.I mean, you can understand if a player is trying to waste time.If someone is 40 yards away from goal,and still shoots from such position after the offside whistle,it's clear what his intentions are.No such thing appeared on Van Persie's mind.As I already said, I don't want to sponsor a particular team here,but that decision from the referee killed the game for Arsenal.Till that moment,Barca may had dominated the game,Arsenal may not have had a shot on goal,they may not even have touched the ball for the entire 56 minutes,but for heaven's sake,they were leading 3-2 on aggregate.And for all their so called domination,Barca had only managed to make the scoreline 1-1 till that moment.I'm not saying Arsenal would have gone and surely destroyed the Catalans,but they were denied the chance to attempt such a feat at least,for no fault of theirs.Of course, Arsenal shouldn't whine too much about it.Even Barcelona had a perfectly legitimate goal denied for Offside in the first leg.Wenger didn't seem to remember that.But,that doesn't make it any better for UEFA.Two Wrongs don't make one Right.
               I should remind all of the infamous Tom Henning Ovrebo here.2 years ago,after he denied Chelsea 4 stonewall penalties (yeah, FOUR!!),there were accusations of Conspiracy and Corruption in UEFA. I remember reading an opinion of a Respected Football Pundit on that;" I don't believe in all these Conspiracy theories,but if Tom Henning Ovrebo ever officiates again in a game more important than an U-13 match outside Switzerland,then you can be sure,there's something rotten in UEFA."
               Well,just one year later,Ovrebo was the man in charge for the Bayern Munich vs Fiorentina match in Champions League knockout stages.If that's not outrageous enough,he awarded Bayern Munich a blatantly offside goal in 93nd minute,which proved decisive in the outcome of the tie.Miroslav Klose was in an offside position for entire building of the move that led to the goal.Just see the image below to understand how pathetic the decision was.What should we say on this?

How much more clearly Offside can a player be ???

                                              

                  UEFA Champions League is perhaps the most coveted competition in the world.It also generates a huge revenue for UEFA,which is so important to them,while wielding their authority.So, we are entitled to at least expect decent refereeing in such competitions.Some may say,such errors are only human,and so much fuss shouldn't made of them.But, Champions League is serious business.Damn serious.Players are willing to put their careers on the line to win it. If you still don't understand the passion, just go and ask John Terry.He will tell you how much it means.

John Terry says his penalty miss which cost Chelsea the Champions  League title,still continues to haunt him