Seeing Red: EPL Officials Blow It Again at Stamford Bridge

Words can't express the outrage felt around the country.

West Ham fans spent five minutes screaming for John Obi Mikel's blood after Mikel scythed down Scott Parker this weekend—but referee Howard Webb gave Mikel the most lenient of bookings.

Then, after a scuffle in the Chelsea area, John Terry grabbed Boa Morte by the throat—with all the grace and panache of an H-bomb.

And Webb did nothing.

It was unbelievable. Players have been sent off for less.

A few weeks back, I questioned referee Mark Clattenburg's performance in the Liverpool-Evertonn game—which could best be described as "a bit dodgy."

But Webb's failures were even more egregious.

According to the rules of the game, a tackle from behind is a red-card offence if the tackle a) is dangerous or b) prevents a goal-scoring opportunity.

And yet Mikel remained on the pitch.

What's more, aggressive behaviour should result in a red card if the referee deems it to be a) dangerous, or b) an act of dissent.

And yet Terry was ignored by Webb, who proceeded to lecture Morte.

West Ham United played a good game but gave away silly fouls. Still, Chelsea should have been at least one man down on two separate occasions. 

Such a disadvantage may well have changed the outcome of the match—which is why I must question the biased nature of Howard Webb's performance.

Yes, that dreadful word: "biased."

Chelsea players received more yellow cards than did West Ham players, but far more free kicks were awarded against the Hammers.

It seemed all Didier Drogba had to do to earn a free kick was fall over and clutch his [insert "injured" body part here—or on second thought, don't].

In a week in which I've reported on football corruption that may or may not be transfer-related, I wonder now whether we've missed the point entirely.

Maybe it's the referees we should be worried about.

But then again, who's going to be brave enough to ask the painfully obvious question out loud?