CITY Raheem will benefit from instant replays
FOOTBALL is pressing ahead with plans to use video replays to decide big decisions in matches… and Raheem Sterling will be delighted to hear it.
The City flyer has already been on the receiving end of three terrible decisions already this year.
And Blues boss Pep Guardiola also has a vested interest in securing the “justice and transparency” which FIFA president Gianni Infantino reckons the advent of video refs will bring.
Of course, bad decisions tend to be a case of “swings and roundabouts” but when one player gets a run of poor verdicts, it becomes a more serious matter. And when that player is a misunderstood individual like Sterling, who has been ridiculously portrayed by some sections of the media as a blingedup, swaggering young wastrel, the concern should increase.
Sterling’s run of shockers began on January 15, when he burst onto a pass and tried to take the ball past Everton keeper Joel Robles.
Leighton Baines slid in to try to block the ball, and his challenge distracted eyes, including those of ref Mark Clattenburg, as Robles thrust out a leg to bring down Sterling.
The game was goalless at that point, and City were dominant – they went on to lose 4-0, but a goal at that point could have changed the game.
Six days later Tottenham were the visitors to the Etihad.
Sterling had a fair shout for a penalty turned down when he skipped past Danny Rose and was bundled over.
Later in the game, Sterling was clean through on goal, showing Kyle Walker a clean pair of heels.
The blatant shove in the back saw Sterling stay honest, and stay on his feet, but he fluffed his shot while off balance and the penalty was as clear as you will ever see.
It was one of those rare, hopelessly incompetent decisions that fuel conspiracy theories.
Fast-forward to the Swansea game, as Sterling chased a long, diagonal pass into the area.
Keeper Lukasz Fabianski raced out of goal and as Sterling diverted the ball past him, stuck out a leg in the forward’s direction.
Whether Fabianski’s foot connected with Sterling for a penalty offence, or whether the player threw himself over the challenge to avoid a nasty injury, is still unclear after video replay. But ref Mike Dean’s stupid decision to book the player for diving could have been avoided.
The sooner that such incompetence is eradicated by the onset of video, the better.