England is the most corrupt nation

Reaction to my latest columns...

Raheem Sterling could easily have admitted he wasn’t fouled for Manchester City’s penalty against Shaktar. Not doing so amounts to cheating.

@Alexbro70

The Sterling decision is one of the worst I’ve seen. The defender isn’t even close. That being said, it’s going to take a brave footballer to own up to that. Unfortunately there isn’t enough of them about.

@Dines_11

To be honest I didn’t realise Louis Smith was still involved in gymnastics, but good luck to him in his retirement.

@john6anderson

So we have goal line technology and goal line officials and still can’t get decisions right ! Massive case to bring VAR in!

@rclambert1951 Come on Swanny, it’s hardly surprising an English Premier League side is allegedly involved in rule breaking on financial gain. We are the most corrupt nation in Europe on cheating to gain a wealth advantage. It’s in our culture.

@buckrodgersposh

Is Fernandinho exempt from getting bookings? He must foul more than any other midfield player in the Premier League. @philadlam

I don’t see the problem with Wayne Rooney receiving a decent send-off from the England fans. He was a great servant. He didn’t always play well, but it was obvious he cared. @MUFC-legend

Our referees are so bad VAR must be brought in as soon as possible. Graham Barnes Are England now so bad at rugby union a narrow home defeat is treated as a success? England were desperate to play New Zealand at home this time last year as they fancied taking over as world number one. One dismal Six Nations campaign later and they are now desperate for anything that suggests a second shocking successive World Cup campaign can be avoided.

New Zealand were there for the taking last Saturday. The rain helped England against a tired team at the end of their natural season and they led 15-0. That England lost from that position is far more damaging than a late disallowed try. Aussie coach Eddie Jones (above) has been rumbled and sadly it’s too late to change him and thicko co-captain Owen Farrell.

REFEREES HAVE NO CHANCE 1

Sometimes sympathy for football officials is required. The assistant referee in the Liverpool/ Fulham match last weekend made a brilliant decision to deny the underdogs a goal just before Mo Salah (above) scored. And yet the hapless commentators preferred to describe his decision as ‘guesswork’ or ‘luck’. If we are to keep criticising in this pre-VAR world the media and managers should also praise when it’s due.

REFEREES HAVE NO CHANCE 2

A journalist at Bromley v Posh last weekend was so unhappy with a red card he said: ‘there’s nothing in the laws that states an elbow in the face is an automatic red card.’ Sometimes I just despair at the level of ignorance of non-refereeing football folk.