Arsenal-Liverpool: Double Standards from the Referees?

Last night witnessed a football match of high drama between two English giants Liverpool and Arsenal which had its own share of controversies.

The denied penalty claim of Hleb being one of them. Time and again we come across matches where, perhaps, football takes a back seat and much of the talking is revolved around refereeing.

Though it is one aspect of the game football lovers would rather not discuss but is growing ever hard to ignore.

The one aspect of refereeing that comes in for lot of criticism is perhaps using different yardsticks for offences. Double standards as some put it.

Looking back at yesterday's match one cannot recall how many times the commentator said, "in the premiership that would have been a booking."

That the referee chose not to award a penalty to Hleb but stop the play for avoidable fouls is a logic hard to digest. Barring a few incidences though the match was generally well officiated. 

But the debate continues, If there is just one book of laws for Football, why different interpretations? Can it be put down to pure footballing cultures?

In Italy a tackle would have to be really bad to merit a direct red card while in the Premier League referees are more generous with their cards.

In Spain, with their diving culture, it becomes difficult for the referees but time and again we see players treated differently for similar offences.

The problem is that either we choose to ignore them or acknowledge them and work towards a solution.

Use of technology needs to be slowly drafted into the game because a silly refereeing error is all that differentiates a successful season against a dismal season for a team.

Also probably UEFA and Sepp Blatter with all their talking can do well to establish an academy for referees. 

The bottom line is that solutions can be found if one wants to find them.

Refereeing in football is waiting for reforms.