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Lampard charged for post-derby comments
Wednesday, 4 May, 2022
The Football Association have censured Frank Lampard for complaints he made about the officiating of last month's Merseyside derby, saying that the Everton manager's comments breached FA Rule E3.
Lampard was frustrated by on-pitch referee Stuart Attwell for his failure to award what television replays revealed to be a clear penalty against Liverpool defender Joel Matip when he fouled Anthony Gordon in the area and he suggested afterwards that those kinds of decisions rarely go in favour of visiting teams at Anfield.
Lampard's comments are backed up by data that reveal a stark difference between the number of penalties awarded against the Premier League's two best teams of recent years, Liverpool and Manchester City, when crowds were absent during the Covid-19 restrictions and when stadia were full either side of lockdown.
The Blues' boss was also moved to complain about the officiating when Everton played City at Goodison Park a few weeks ago where an even more obvious penalty, this time for handball by Rodri, was not given and the Video Assistant Referee did not advise the main match official to review the replays on the pitch-side monitor.
According to a statement by the English game's governing body, Lampard has been "charged with a breach of FA Rule E3" for what he said in his post-derby interview for the television cameras as it was "alleged that the manager's comments constitute improper conduct as they imply bias and/or attack the integrity of the match referess — or referees generall — and/or bring the game into disrepute".
Lampard has until next Monday to respond to the charge but it is likely that he will be fined.
Reader Comments (91)
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2 Posted 04/05/2022 at 18:20:00
What's that line from "A Few Good Men"?
"Maybe we could get him for the Kennedy Assassination."
There is another line from Bergman's "Wild Strawberries" which is even more apposite (I saw it in French: "Vous etes coupable de culpabilitie")
I suppose this was as inevitable as Richie soon to be hauled over the coals.
3 Posted 04/05/2022 at 18:21:04
4 Posted 04/05/2022 at 18:30:21
Maybe a system of investigation and fines for transgressions is justified when the other side of the relationship is similarly held to account. Would be nice to see them investigate what is causing a feeling of bias.
5 Posted 04/05/2022 at 18:36:49
6 Posted 04/05/2022 at 18:39:11
About as apt as you get by the corrupt bellends.
7 Posted 04/05/2022 at 18:40:47
Well done for speaking out Frank. Let's have the balls to resist this blatant favouritism.
8 Posted 04/05/2022 at 18:42:27
Jurgen Klopp faced no action after his comments aimed at the referee after their 2-2 draw with Spurs, including about a penalty that wasn't given.
Lampard gets charged for his post-match comments about the referee after the Liverpool game, mentioning the penalty decision we never got.
There is only one conclusion to make!!
9 Posted 04/05/2022 at 19:02:26
They can't be mates with everyone so they choose their buddies in an increasingly unsubtle way.
The our lots of great people refereeing, sacrificing their time at lower levels to allow kids and amateurs to enjoy playing. However, to make it as a top referee requires a certain type. Every singlge aspect of their personality that leads them to be Premier League referees should actually disqualify them from it.
Name dropping, limelight seeking nonentities is what they are. Working for an organization utterly devoid of integrity, competence and decency. Perfect for Sky and the Premier League.
10 Posted 04/05/2022 at 19:09:31
But I cling to Plato "He who commits injustice is ever made more wretched than he who suffers it."
11 Posted 04/05/2022 at 19:15:57
The whole thing is a farce. Why can't the FA introduce a system that allows clubs to question why particular decisions were made and actions taken to prevent future injustices?
12 Posted 04/05/2022 at 19:24:46
Publish the Minutes of the meeting and expose them for their bias and lack of integrity.
13 Posted 04/05/2022 at 19:29:10
14 Posted 04/05/2022 at 19:31:50
Instead of letting the Six Turds try to fuck up the game with their European Super League closed shop, the rest of the clubs should break away and form a new league. Be an opportunity to reset the beautiful game in a more sustainable and fair way.
15 Posted 04/05/2022 at 19:44:57
The EFA, and The Farce of VAR, is a permanent stain on the English game.
I hope Frank backed by the club use the examples of the City game at Goodison, the penalty not given, the pathetic dive by Jota at Palace, of how corrupt the referees and the translation of the rules of the game are misled every week.
The so called top 6 teams, get more gains than most and the fact that no teams gets a penalty at our old ground for 15 months tells its own story.
Year on year the pompous fonts of no knowledge of the game at the EFA are getting away with murder and bringing the game into disrepute.
The football agents are mercenary and out for their cutof the dough, the EFA, hide and deflect and should be held to account on an annual end of season audit.
For all the screwed up decisions, they should pay a fine to a charity close by to the club impacted by their corrupt descisions and processes.
Objective the clubs should drive for VAR to be pitch side adjudication and make the descision making transparent.
Now to recuperate and get the Team ready for Leicester.
UTFT!
They cab
examples of cheating
16 Posted 04/05/2022 at 19:48:04
Anyway, well done Frank for calling out the useless sods and taking one for the team. I'm sure he can afford it.
17 Posted 04/05/2022 at 19:48:42
Lol!
18 Posted 04/05/2022 at 20:07:50
Michael 14, Great post and agree with you on a different League. I wanted the top 6 to go and form a Super League with the other clubs who were for it. There are so many great clubs in England with big fan base that they would not be missed.
19 Posted 04/05/2022 at 20:13:21
Need to make an example, but can't make it against the so called big six - so whose next in the pecking order?
20 Posted 04/05/2022 at 20:14:23
Mike Riley stole a living as a referee, and now presides over the massive collection of Teflon coated fuckwits that officiate in the Premier League. In any other walk of life, you would get sacked if you continued to be that shit at your job.
21 Posted 04/05/2022 at 20:35:36
The bias is almost subconsciously applied by referees nowadays for the likes of Liverpool. It's polluted their mindset before a game even starts. The fact that VAR didn't even review speaks volumes. Because if they did review they would have had no choice but to give a penalty. Avoid the review and no unwanted decision necessary.
It's another sad day that shows us nothing is going to change.
22 Posted 04/05/2022 at 20:57:58
Take the evidence, in fact release it all in a press conference prior to the hearing. Go on the offensive. Bringing the game into disrepute... what's that saying, "Better to get hung for a sheep than a lamb"!
Bringing the game into disrepute is a charge that's not confined solely to clubs or its employees, the joke is sour, the VAR, the officials on the pitch and those adjudicating from afar have done more damage to the game than any manager has or ever will, because, with each example, each singular decision they are compounding the lie of fairness.
To condemn, charge or fine an individual with "Bringing the game into disrepute" is a lie in itself. You cannot bring a game into disrepute when the officials show clear bias or favour and the consequences are so huge. Disrepute must include those officiating and must be seen to be even-handed. It is a basic concept of fairness.
The facts speak for themselves, the bias is real not the domain of keyboard warriors, the application of rules and their interpretation is made to suit the offender, one rule for a few, another for the rest. With respect to officials, blatant errors go unchecked, lives, careers, financial survival, truth, all are damaged without consequence to the cause, yet wo betide anyone daring to question.
It's time a manager, a club and the media told them where to go and darn the consequences. It's called the truth, you're just not allowed to talk about it.
23 Posted 04/05/2022 at 21:01:12
Integrity of the referees!! How can they use their integrity when they haven't got any to start with?
24 Posted 04/05/2022 at 21:10:11
25 Posted 04/05/2022 at 21:16:19
26 Posted 04/05/2022 at 21:16:25
27 Posted 04/05/2022 at 21:21:59
28 Posted 04/05/2022 at 21:24:09
29 Posted 04/05/2022 at 21:33:00
30 Posted 04/05/2022 at 21:34:46
But owners don't do this. Parish at Palace is the only chairman I've seen do it this season.
Attwell and Friend are really poor at making decisions under pressure. They rush to judgement, rather than taking a moment as Oliver, Tierney and Marriner do, and then stick to their guns even when they shouldn't.
31 Posted 04/05/2022 at 21:44:01
The only way of bringing about change is for the clubs to get together and bully the FA into action. As with the Super league, Everton could take the lead but unless we have the backing of the others it will not go very far. I simply can't see that happening meaning that the circus will go on.
32 Posted 04/05/2022 at 21:59:28
However, evidence...
33 Posted 04/05/2022 at 22:03:45
Probably tax deductible as well, Mike.
34 Posted 04/05/2022 at 22:18:18
35 Posted 05/05/2022 at 00:08:01
https://backpagefootball.com/why-liverpool-wont-win-the-premier-league-this-season/126313/
There's loads on line about who they've hired and their methods.
36 Posted 05/05/2022 at 00:33:23
I just read that article... no reason to doubt it but it has shocked me. For me the first thought that came to my head was I hope we don't have anyone using the same methods... probably not as we are at the wrong end of the table was the thought that came to mind!
Seriously, this is drug abuse. Not training support methods, not player care. Why isn't anyone in the game addressing this? We should hang the banner "Drug Cheats" when we play them next... dreadful!
37 Posted 05/05/2022 at 00:39:39
If the line was at 'no supplements or medical exemptions' then I suspect every professional sportsperson would be over it.
I hope that over the next 5 games our sports scientists are extracting every bit of energy from our team. Legally.
38 Posted 05/05/2022 at 00:45:56
The FA is right to fine him. They should also look into whether there's any truth in the matter and whether the current VAR implementation makes that bias worse (it definitely does!). And the fine will be worthwhile. It's the cost of getting it on the record.
39 Posted 05/05/2022 at 01:30:35
I'd be worried the FA would find a way to deduct points if we got too difficult with them.
40 Posted 05/05/2022 at 01:31:22
I brought this allegation to a forum on the local red rag (AKA Echo) some time ago
One Neanderthal responded by saying that the asthma sufferers at his school didn't do very well at sport
Totally missing the point that the sufferers at his school really did have asthma and the medication was given to bring them to a level of relative normality.
RS on the other hand…
Run around like nutters for 90 minutes and sweat less than the banned old Duke of York
41 Posted 05/05/2022 at 02:44:00
Are you kidding??
Wow, the Dalai Lama is on TW.
42 Posted 05/05/2022 at 03:00:17
Is our squad fed only organic products? If so, why? It's clearly not helping them!
43 Posted 05/05/2022 at 04:07:45
Frank should punch the FA investigator in the face. End of.
44 Posted 05/05/2022 at 06:00:40
Don't we have David Prentice on the staff? Surely there must be a story here for the Echo, at least. But this must now be made a matter of public interest, no hiding behind closed doors but a time for both barrels!
45 Posted 05/05/2022 at 06:11:12
46 Posted 05/05/2022 at 07:43:19
47 Posted 05/05/2022 at 07:44:38
At present, the Premier League, the way it organises fixtures and its refs implement rules is clearly attempting to placate the big clubs. The big clubs guarantee big worldwide payments from large audiences.
The pressure on the refs wherever the so-called big boys are involved is in the background. The media will make more fuss if the ref gives us a pen at Anfield, potentially denying their darlings the Title, and the hordes of ex-Liverpool media pundits would continue the outrage. The result is refs afraid to give penalties, cards, etc against certain teams.
Klopp, in particular is a law unto himself. Running onto the pitch after Origi's winner at Anfield a couple of years ago. No ban, no fine. If anyone else had done it, there would have been action taken.
Frank is right to make his feelings known. Whatever the FA do, he must continue to expose unfairness. It will encourage others to do the same and increase pressure on Riley and Co to rethink their flawed system.
48 Posted 05/05/2022 at 08:25:52
Hope I've got it wrong, but looks like Craig Pawson is the ref on Sunday.
49 Posted 05/05/2022 at 09:10:38
There is a lot of money in football so we shouldn't be surprised at the corruption. We also shouldn't just accept it either and good on Frank for telling it how it is.
Everton need to back him now and we should present all the evidence etc. Make this a very public fight.
50 Posted 05/05/2022 at 09:29:11
In fact we should post all these comments to them instead. 🤷
51 Posted 05/05/2022 at 09:41:47
There is definitely corruption. The law of averages supports that (penalties, red cards etc). But I don't think it's so blatant that they are ordered to “fix†matches, it's far more subtle than that. There is more likely a tacit agreement between the officials and the PL/sponsors to support the structure of the competition which is driven by money/greed (a powerful motivator). And this is how the bias manifests itself.
If they want to improve “transparency†and make the competition more accessible for all, then they should be mic'd up so we can all hear the decisions, especially with the VAR. That they aren't, in a game awash with money coupled with the fact that it's taken so long to bring in new technology tells you that something is wrong and things are being hidden for reasons unknown (we speculate money). And by operating a closed shop that is not accountable to anyone, and anyone questioning their integrity is silenced, they continue to show themselves up for the mafiosa-type organisation they are.
52 Posted 05/05/2022 at 10:53:53
I am unsure of it's veracity - not a publication I am aware of with any notable track record and some of the evidence seems... circumspect. Still, the seed of doubt is there - but why is no one else talking about it? It's easy to say anything in this bizzare era where PR has took over, but proof, evidence will always help confirming the story. I wish it to be true, as I am sick to the death of all the moral high ground from them and other factors.
Everton should hire a forensic expert when it comes to all the decisions that go against them by the FA. Compiling a greatest hits of comparison decisions... be a big job. We seem to get punished for just being Everton or - being in the same city as that lot.
53 Posted 05/05/2022 at 11:05:19
The comments beneath from the Kopites are the best bit though. Their usual bleating on about people having the audacity to dare to question their integrity. It's hilarious. Using caffeine I don't doubt. It's in a lot of pre-mix gym supplements but the use of inhalers is - if true - cheating. Having over 60% of the squad registered asthmatic is just astonishing and should be investigated. However, the media won't touch them because 1. Most of them are out of town kopite glory hunters born in the 70's and 2. The post Hillsborough Sun reaction means they're totally off limits (see total lack of reaction and press fawning over Suarez/racist chanting/ticket price hikes/furlough as a few examples). I hate the bastards. There's a higher power at work at that place.
Oh and Everton apparently used “drugs†in the 60's but I can't verify this. Anyone else care to expand?
54 Posted 05/05/2022 at 11:08:07
Ironically the fact the author is Russian-based might give it some credence: after all is not doping (literally) an Olympic sport in Russia?
Not saying the article is wrong but more verifiable data needed…
55 Posted 05/05/2022 at 11:18:50
Seriously though, the bit in that article that got me thinking was the dortmund dip - how Klopp's last season there was a bit of disaster which they just about salvaged, if I recall. Then of course, last season for them, when they suddenly because the worst team ever - so that does make you think because the body would naturally have a come down after so much abuse.
There are atricles online about how a lot of Olympic winners are asthma suffers - and wasn't there an American who was like in his forties who won Olympic gold?
56 Posted 05/05/2022 at 11:26:14
Albert was a local lad and a good goalkeeper but was a heavy gambler and got himself into debt through his gambling and his story got him a good pay day, his article was about “ Purple Hearts†a tablet that kept many people going those days and made them hyper active,so I believe, never touched them myself, pints of Brown bitters was enough for me.
Anyway Albert said some of the Everton players were using them, whether they did or it was something Albert threw in to garnish his story nobody really took it up except the Redshite who just loved to repeat the story, the team was certainly good enough to win the title that season and in those days there were plenty of teams capable of winning the league because every player received the same basic wage of £20 per week, now they are on £20 a second at least!!
57 Posted 05/05/2022 at 11:36:46
Finn - agree on the Dortmund dip. They all said he burnt out the team (with his nauseating gegenpress bullshit) and then left. Looks like he's found a way around that, partially at least.
58 Posted 05/05/2022 at 12:02:51
38 games X £30k = £1.14M, pull them up at every post match Interview - just a (relatively small) cost of doing business, but in reality - priceless.
They will over react and make a martyr and maybe the other 13 will speak up too...not holding breath on that one.
No more Mr Nice Guy*
*assuming we stay up, which we will...just, despite VAR and Reffs.
59 Posted 05/05/2022 at 12:03:53
I guess we shall see if next season or the season after they have another bizarre dip. Even City have proved that they are human with the odd surprising defeat (last night a classic example.)
Football is now so protected in terms of PR and media departments... the truth will probably remain hidden.
Meanwhile the nauseating propaganda is pumped out... nothing is ever what it seems
60 Posted 05/05/2022 at 12:22:37
Sadly the best chance to sort this bias out has passed when the "Greedy Six" threatened to leave for their so-called Super League!...that was THE perfect time to force them out through sheer numbers (14 is greater than 6, after all) but they all bottled it big time (including us Blues),we spoke out of course but it will never be enough without the concerted effort with the other 13 clubs!...so now unless a team walks off the pitch after a major injustice verses one of the Sky/BT/Amazon darlings,this bias shite will just continue for years to come!
Btw,the best Refs I've seen are in the Welsh league,even in N.Ireland refs are pretty decent too...time to rotate them...maybe?
61 Posted 05/05/2022 at 12:27:09
'Can't beat the Ref, Frank. '
62 Posted 05/05/2022 at 12:27:45
This is all about the FA not liking us having a manager now who will speak up, complain and question what he thinks is not right. They want us to be plucky little Everton as usual who never say boo to a goose and let them get away with what Lampard pointed out in the Derby (and other things that have gone against us this season which were obviously wrong).
It is actually the refs who make these questionable, illogical decisions (I'm putting that very mildly) that should be pulled up for bringing the game into disrepute.
Hope this doesn't put Lampard off from continuing to speak up and stick up for us. About time we had a manager who won't just let us get shafted and say nothing about it.
63 Posted 05/05/2022 at 14:59:53
It's not unimaginable: look at what's going on in Government, Yorkshire Cricket Club board, the Metropolitan Police… is it really unfathomable to believe that some of these large associations are on the take given the huge amounts of money in the game?
Problem is that it's a closed shop with no accountability.
It's dirty, corrupt and ugly. This is our beautiful game….
64 Posted 05/05/2022 at 16:21:07
Although I don't think there's brown envelope corruption at Premier League and refereeing circles, I think it's a 'word of mouth' campaign to damage us, the amount of decisions and non-decisions the same teams get is unfeasible.
Re the asthma subject, Bradley Wiggins and his Tour de France 2012 win has been tainted due to his Therapeutic Use Exception for his asthma; he does vehemently deny any wrong doing regarding taking substances for gaining advantage.
If you can win arguably the world's toughest sporting event using certain stuff, what's kicking a ball around for 90+ minutes?
65 Posted 05/05/2022 at 19:56:15
66 Posted 05/05/2022 at 20:20:29
There have been loads …. and loads forgotten like Graham Poll when he blew up just as the ball was about to cross the line ... vs the amount of injury time played for the ridiculous Origi fluke goal. There are so many. So many.
We need some fans on our board so they can remind owners of these injustices, because we remember and we care more.
67 Posted 05/05/2022 at 21:02:18
You're spot on regarding Albert Dunlop, he was in financial troubles and gave The People information regarding Everton's alleged use of Purple Heart tablets.
I was at Molineux in the early Sixties on a really foggy afternoon. From my position on the Wolves Kop, it was impossible to see beyond the half-way line. Fans behind the goal kept shouting to Dunlop "What's going on" he informed them as best he could.
A St John's Ambulance man had to tell Dunlop that the game was over, and he left the pitch grabbing his cap and gloves. In his article, he said that he was so high on drugs, he had made a dive at the feet of the St John's man, a very good goalkeeper but a despicable man.
You'll also recall the 'Purple Heart derby' when a Kopite planted a Purple Heart placard in the centre circle before the kick-off, but we had the last laugh – a 4-0 win with a weakened side.
68 Posted 05/05/2022 at 23:25:35
Klopp ran onto the pitch, while a game was still being played, a few years back, in the Derby, no further action taken.
Lampard speaks the truth and gets a fine.
I called it out a couple of weeks ago that we would get nothing after we got an apology for the Rodri incident.
Since then we have 3 players sent off and the two penalties against City and the shite not given.
After the latest incident I also said that nothing will be done at Goodison by the officials against Chelsea, but they will come after us in the away games.
Do not be suprised if we get a player sent off, or Leicester get a poor penalty awarded on Sunday, they want us gone for sure.
69 Posted 06/05/2022 at 01:47:36
70 Posted 06/05/2022 at 02:39:10
And what is happening to the club's debt over FFP and possible points deduction? Is Moshiri going to sell the club? Is Frank's job now safe following that wonderful support last week ? Eckuy-Thump – I wish this season was over!!!
71 Posted 06/05/2022 at 07:41:37
The club should back him to the hilt here. Have a voice. Challenge the status quo Everton.
It will be over soon Bernie, but Leicester on Sunday first then Watford midweek!!!
72 Posted 06/05/2022 at 18:06:18
If memory serves, didn't we get an apology for the penalty that wasn't against Man City. The FA have a short memory which is very convenient.
73 Posted 07/05/2022 at 03:57:43
74 Posted 07/05/2022 at 07:42:15
That's one thing, but the most important factor that should increasingly be under scrutiny is the accountability.
They consistently make poor decisions. But they aren't held accountable. They are afforded the luxury of hiding behind a protective screen and not being challenged to explain.
Speak out about their incompetency and players / managers are charged and fined. How dare people who play or have played the game challenge a decision? That's the mentality of the authorities.
It's all managed behind behind cloaks and daggers of those who control the game. The leagues and the competitions. Corruption and influence by stealth, even though it's obvious to most.
75 Posted 07/05/2022 at 08:21:39
76 Posted 07/05/2022 at 08:35:16
77 Posted 07/05/2022 at 09:04:09
Martin Atkinson has just come out and slaughtered Stubbs, and after trying for years to understand why he hates Everton so much, maybe he's just told us one of the reasons why?
78 Posted 07/05/2022 at 09:14:54
The EPL is the most wealthy league, they can surely afford to bring in the best Fifa ref's in the world. The EPL can also afford a panel of 3 refs to monitor VAR for each match. The FA could, should do so much more to level the playing field. Do they publish the reasons for their decisions or simply announce the result of their enquiry?
A second win on the road tomorrow please, COYB.
79 Posted 07/05/2022 at 09:16:33
When? How?
80 Posted 07/05/2022 at 09:24:14
81 Posted 07/05/2022 at 10:16:57
82 Posted 07/05/2022 at 10:25:02
I get the point Rob, would it stop wrong decisions being made? Nothing will ever be 100%, I get that and it would take time. But if they are accountable and have to explain, it will make them think twice and be more considered in their decisions because they have to answer to them.
Probably going off on one here, but it's a bit like the Alan Shearer argument that "if you give that, you'll be giving them every week". No, how about if you start pulling up fouls (which they are), players will stop doing it because they know they won't get away with it.
83 Posted 07/05/2022 at 11:20:08
None at the last world cup for a reason.
84 Posted 07/05/2022 at 12:26:48
85 Posted 08/05/2022 at 06:17:02
May be next season VAR officials are appointed from the best technicians in the world but even that is only a step toward improving referees
on-field performances. As a matter of interest, or should that be ridicule, should one or two Premier League games lose connection to VAR does it void those results as games are played under differing conditions? Rules are rules no matter how ridiculous, aren't they?
86 Posted 10/05/2022 at 15:09:03
Did Frank actually say the referee was biased or just imply that referees in general are susceptible to being swayed by certain factors, in this case the ‘reputation' of renowned teams?
How else are people expected to interpret such farcical decisions as the Rodri one (for which we got an apology, didn't we?) or the latest one, which must have had a VAR review even if it that has never been acknowledged?
If the authorities really believe their refs are immune to unconscious or confirmation bias, unlike pretty much all other humans to some degree, then they should back themselves by making all the decision-making available for scrutiny.
87 Posted 11/05/2022 at 10:51:24
Be very interesting to see if he is charged too…..if not, the only logical conclusion must be corruption over incompetence.
88 Posted 11/05/2022 at 10:54:38
Atkinson was in the press last week saying Stubbs was the hardest player he ever had to referee, a pure moaner, who tried to intimidate, and was also hard as nails.
89 Posted 12/05/2022 at 08:03:52
90 Posted 13/05/2022 at 11:32:28
91 Posted 13/05/2022 at 11:38:21
But watch the Arteta post match interview from last night.
He was raging and states "I cant comment because I will be fined for my opinion".
The FA must at some stage be held accountable for what amounts to bullying and coercive control.
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1 Posted 04/05/2022 at 17:56:30
His comments to the players to follow up with another big performance are spot on too.
COYBs !!