I refuse to call them assistants as most seem to hinder referees rather than assist them. On Sunday's game, we don't know what the linesman, incidentally the same linesman, I believe, that instructed Clancy to send off Morelos in the the first league game of the season v Sheep, said to Madden. If he indicated an elbow from Morelos and definite red card, then Madden has to send him off, as it appears, with Brown rolling in agony holding his face, that he's received an elbow to the face. This is where we need VAR. If like the Sheep game, where the linesman apparently doesn't mention McKenna's provocation, it may be the same with Brown's provocation. I'm not defending Morelos, but the inconsistency when we've witnessed worse elbow incidents against our players with only a booking or no action taken, or in the case of the Kilmarnock goalkeeper, the red card is overturned.
Also, in the penalty incident, the referee looks to the linesman, who's in a better position, but he doesn't flag for a penalty. No wonder that Tav remonstratrates with the linesman. We complain about the standard of refereeing, but the linesmen can have a big influence knowing that it's the referee that gets all the flak.
What chance do we have with linemen like Sunday's and Clancy as 4th official.
Also, in the penalty incident, the referee looks to the linesman, who's in a better position, but he doesn't flag for a penalty. No wonder that Tav remonstratrates with the linesman. We complain about the standard of refereeing, but the linesmen can have a big influence knowing that it's the referee that gets all the flak.
What chance do we have with linemen like Sunday's and Clancy as 4th official.