Lampard fined for comments following Anfield derby

Sounds to me like he refused to apologise. Excellent, good on him.

Speaking the truth to the FA or Premier League powers is an expensive business nowadays. How dare Frank speak the truth that every supporter outside of the Sky 6 knows. Just look at the penalty stats for/against Liverpool at that place.

I hope he told them to fuck off and pays the fine in pennies.

Unless the quality of refereeing in the Premier League is sorted out, they can't claim to be the ‘best league in the world'.

We may well have the best league but, without a doubt, we definitely have the worst officials anywhere in the world.

Even their own said as much. Mark Halsey, ex-ref, admitted they were encouraged to give the big money global earners for the Premier League (ie, Liverpool) the big decisions.

Honestly, it's unbelievable in a free society that you have no freedom of speech, for basically being open and honest. Remember the old saying 'the truth hurts'…

What do they do with this money – pay it out in expenses to themselves I suppose. It should at least go to grassroots football in Merseyside.

In the close season, shame the FA for their treatment of Everton.

The club should pay his fine (whilst also making comments on all the injustices that have come our way) and tell the world that it has done exactly that and why it has and back him up.

We all need to be united, and freedom of speech should be allowed and encouraged! Dark forces.

I can understand the FA don't want anarchy but, if nobody says anything, nothing's going to change.

In the absence of any kind of explanation from the officials themselves as to why a penalty was not awarded, and the decision making that went behind that, then Lampard is absolutely entitled to hypothesise about the reasons why – until such evidence is provided to shut him up (the explanation).

However the only evidence that exists is the incident itself, which the majority of people who have viewed it, including ex Liverpool playing pundits, agreed should have been a penalty.

Officiating is a ‘policing' of the game almost. And this Policing system, where decision-making cannot be questioned or you're met with severe punishment, seems almost like a policing style of East Germany!

On a purely ‘need to know' basis … any close season club gossip from ITK contacts within Finch Farm or your Calderstones Park dog-walking circuit?

Frank, I know it will never happen and I know it's not £30k, but I'll buy you a drink if I ever meet you. Keep speaking out against the warped establishment.

Fuming. The poor dogs. They are looking at me with concern.

Sometimes in life, a bit of brinkmanship is required.

He will write the check and be quietly reimbursed by his owner.

I can only applaud Frank for speaking the truth, the game is brought into disrepute every week with a global audience by the bias and incompetence of those appointed to act in a fair and impartial manner. It's simply not right and is impossible to justify.

Danny Murphy maybe!

Couldn't agree more…those two penalty decisions against little Huddersfield were beyond belief. If that happened against Liverpool it would end the referee's career, it would be the first news item on every outlet for weeks and there'd be questions raised in Parliament.

The VAR has just introduced a much easier way of favouring so-called bigger teams. Rather than having to favour them on the spot, in the full glare of the stadium and tv, they can carefully craft their bias by selectively choosing what to focus on whilst hidden hundreds of miles away.

The penalties we've been denied recently compared to the VAR telling the referee to look at the Jota penalty against Watford. If you looked hard enough, or not, you could give a penalty every time a corner goes in the box.

I just hope Frank keeps up the pressure on this institutionalised favouritism towards Liverpool. Every time anything slightly goes against them, Klopp is screaming from the rooftops bringing massive pressure on the officials for the next game.

When I was much younger, and the prizes were less linked to the astronomical figures they have reached today, I was of the opinion that if the referee "didn't see it" then it didn't happen.

My faith and trust in the game now has reached rock-bottom, when blatant fouls and other incidents are overlooked, by not only the referee in charge of the game, but also the VAR.

The game has always been fraught with mistakes, but I believe that they were honest mistakes. It reinforces for me, the saying, "Where there's money there's corruption" and I echo the views of those who consider that speaking your mind should not be punished.

I'm not aware of any other manager, who has (according to those who administer monetary punishment) received a £30,000 fine for questioning the performance of a referee.

It's no wonder that Everton supporters believe that there is a vendetta against the club, I also believe that the club should do everything they can to have that fine rescinded. So much for the "Beautiful Game".

Good post, Do you think in 1977, when Thomas denied us the win against that lot in the FA Cup Semi Final, was a mistake or corruption?

I believe it was corruption and I think the same in 1984 in the Milk Cup Final with the Hansen handball, I was at that game.

Has Gerrard been fined for his comments after the recent game against that lot, when he slagged off the referee??

Didn't Klopp say to Tierney after the Spurs game this season, "I've no problem with referees – only you" and no action taken by FA, double standards.

I think we all know the answer to that one. His comments could have precipitated more dangerous consequences than anything that Frank said.

2) I think that we as supporters of Everton should 'club together' to pay as much of this fine (and may be more...) as we can for Frank. Not because he can't afford it – we know he can – but to show solidarity with an Everton manager who has had the guts to comment upon what we have experienced for decades.

How do you start a Crowd Fund for this sort of thing? Anyone help?

Christine - your comments are always so incisive and apposite, and never more so than in your posts on this thread. Thank you.

This would, for the first time, take matters out of the control of the corrupt and incompetent FA and its minions at PGMOL.

Couldn't have Frank asked to be heard in the presence of this independent commission and state his case there, bringing the evidence of the incident where Everton were denied a penalty which seemed to be pretty obvious to most people including many neutral observers?

Is this decision final, can it be appealed against?

Why is the fine so big, seems bigger than any previous football fines?

Is Everton FC going to question this penalty?

Are we, as a club, being victimised for some reason, being blackmailed into silence?

Are the club's solicitors having a look at this very heavy penalty for just stating an opinion based on fact?

Are the club looking to do anything about this decision or just meekly accept it like Philip Carter did when we were banned from Europe because another club's supporters misbehaved (?) at a game?

I think we all know the answers to the questions I have asked.

Would be interesting to see the response, should they receive dozens/hundreds of emails about an occurrence. It obviously won't change anytime soon at Premier League level unless they feel some discomfort.

'Perhaps we should lodge a case with the Court for Arbitration for Sport against the FA for failing to ensure that matches are officiated in an unbiased manner and for showing persistent bias in the application of its rules concerning post-match comments.'

Hear Hear!! Excellent suggestion – but who lodges the case?

I too attended both games, maybe I was naive in thinking that the Clive Thomas decision was a genuine mistake, although I can recall reading that the linesman queried the decision only to be told to "Watch the television tonight and you'll find out".

Regarding the Hansen handball, I was at the tunnel end of the ground but subsequent television coverage has proved that it could or should, have been a penalty.

I believe that any corruption, if that's what it amounts to, was the result of the Premier League's participation with Sky Television, and I was disappointed when the Breakaway Six decided to abandon their greedy plans.

“I never comment on referees and I'm not going to break the habit of a lifetime for that prat.”

Steven Gerrard avoids FA punishment despite calls for referee Jon Moss to be investigated

David @ 35 - Hansen still has the imprint to this day.

In at least nine derbies over the years, we have been denied by a ref – and that's not bitter, just a fact. I can reel them off starting with the Alan Waddle derby at Goodison.

It's my opinion that the worldwide popularity of Liverpool and Manchester United etc, is the direct result of Sky Television, and I believe that, if the truth be known, Sky would have hated Leicester City winning the title.

I'm not one to claim knowledge of television and advertisements, but I would hazard a guess that they would have preferred one of their more popular favourites to have clinched the title.

"Transparency in business is the basis for trust between a firm and its investors, customers, partners, and employees. Being transparent means being honest and open when communicating with stakeholders about matters related to the business."

Change the business for football and what is transparent is that it doesn't exist within the confines of the FA.

In not allowing transparency, they open themselves, rightly in my opinion, to accusations of match-fixing or corruption. Sound ridiculous? If Everton drew against Man City because of the decision not to give a penalty, City would have lost the title. That's match-fixing.

Corruption? The brand. Football as a showcase must have its brand leaders, they are protected by those with vested interests, especially the FA and Premier League. Sky pays the money, gets the brand, Sky sell more, Premier League get more.

Christy, spot on, what did the breakaway group get fined for the most disgraceful show of two fingers to the FA and the Premier League? Massive, biggest ever, show of disrespect to other clubs and breaking of rules. Disrepute? The word doesn't even come close. Result? Not a penny.

That's why the game now is corrupt.

John Snr. Absolutely agree, honest mistakes or those not seen have been eradicated by the VAR. But bias is now clear to all.

Never has a finer line even spoken.

Oh Everton, oh we love Everton.

Great day out but Kenwright done us over the dirty parasite.

Need more of this next season.

Even worse is that our so-called leaders have not come out in support of Frank Lampard probably because they have accepted our place as also-rans in this two-horse race.

Makes you sick and actually puts you off the sport altogether.

Plenty more evidence: Brazil v Sweden 1978 World Cup. Mere mention of the horrible man's name makes my blood evaporate.

Read this if you can but make sure there are no breakable objects within reach.

Same ref in 1975, another Lyons goal v Fulham in the FA Cup which would've been the winner.

And of course the 1977 FA Cup semifinal at Maine Roadv them again. Both linesman had ran to the centre circle but he had to make a name for himself once again.

Put him with Clattenburg Graham poll, Robinson etc as robbing us of derby wins. Robinson was the Milk Cup and in the 1986 FA Cup Final, Sharp dragged down by Nicol when we were one up.

Am I mentally scarred? Probably.

I know you are strong-minded – but here you are really outspoken! Must say I agree with every word in your posts.

I keep saying there is corruption at the top – there's too much evidence proving it. I hate the way it is always 'behind closed doors' – clearly hiding how they protect the favoured Sky Six. It was always thus in the Premier League.

Keep hitting those computer keys, Christine – you say it as it is.

So they're creating a system where you cannot even challenge them, or their decisions.

Sounds familiar that. ;)

Just who are the members of the FA?
How were they elected and for how long?
Who wrote the Rules governing the Premier League?
It is time for a change so everyone has a fair deal?

Why not a board, comprising of say 5 members elected from the current FA Members - plus 5 members elected from clubs from the lower part of the Premier League - and 5 neutral members from other Sports such as Cricket, Rugby, etc? All members elected for a limited period – say 3 years.

All meetings are to be open and transparent, and any person charged with a breach of rules, to be allowed to appear, bringing a "Friend of Court" with him as we did in the Police back in the day when I was a member.

And how about putting a ceiling on transfer fees and players salaries? Plus the number of players a Club is allowed to have. It would be a fairer playing field for the smaller clubs.

I could go on but really – what's the point?

Watch out though, just warming to the challenge!

Now, once he's paid the £30k, maybe the FA could set about understanding why he made that statement and how they can fix their broken refereeing system.

At present, our club are so nervous about upsetting the powers-that-be (due to us treading on eggshells over our FFP fiasco) that Lampard is left to fight on his own.

We are not the only club to receive dodgy decisions and there are millions of fans who feel the same as we do.

It has got me to the stage that, when the lad scored for Real Madrid, I just couldn't raise even a smile until the check had been carried out. The spontaneity has gone.

The opportunity for meddling and corruption is there for play to be brought back for tiny margins early in any move.

Once again, I use Rugby Union as an example of how it can be used with the ref's mike allowing us to hear the chat with the video ref and explanations for awarding whatever they decide.

The current VAR system stinks, and it actually opens-up officials to be accused of taking back-handers because of its obtuse nature. Or is Mike Riley (one of the most odious and inept chinless wonders of the past) to stand behind whoever is watching in Stockley Park and give the thumbs-up?

Will 49, We were cheated out of a win that day.

John Mc Snr 52, I wanted the so called big 6 to leave and form the Super League. English Football would have been fine without them.

Pete 56, If it wasn't for Everton, I would never watch the Premier League and now only watch our games.

When Leicester were top of the league that season, the man in charge of the Premier League (Peter Scudamore?) said he would rather have Man Utd winning the league as it was better for the “brand”.

Take with you all that stinks as well as your hoardes of plastic armchair, self entitled consumers who increasingly make the game a less authentic experience.

I was here; just not a member of theT offeeWeb Club. Having my heart problems! But I still read all your posts. Looking forward to seeing you get all fired up again!

I can only assume the rest of the footballing world knows how totally incompetent they are!

Mr Bean springs to mind.

I will believe it is honest when penalties are given against Liverpool at Anfield, or not given to Salah and Co at Anfield, not before.

It is akin to finding a large amount of money taking it to the Police Station and being arrested and jailed for theft, if you can't speak the truth without fear of censure then you cannot challenge anything concerning the FA.
If that is not a dictatorship of empty headed morons then I don't know what is.

Keep up the pressure Christine in fact anyone going to the FA Disciplinary should take you with them.

But it leaves me in a difficult position. I can't condone it. But I also wonder whether it's the act that finally gets the people behind the VAR system to actually consider what they've done.

They had all the technology in the world to get that decision right and they didn't. Because they have implemented a system that promoted the ref not making a decision, and the VAR not being able to correct it.

They seem to think they're protecting referees from embarrassment or loss of credibility due to having decisions overturned. They're not, they're instead ruining a game that millions love deeply.

And they may now realise that fans complaining, managers complaining, players complaining, pundits complaining... Was the bit they should have listened to rather than censored.

The idiots who did this are responsible, but those behind the VAR played their part.

Gerrard basically called Moss incompetent but he cleverly didn't say he would have given decisions the other way.

Man Utd and Liverpool were internationally known and supported before Sky and the Premier League came to be.

I don't disagree with what Frank said but the authorities are never going to admit their refs are poor enough to not be able to view things purely objectively. You will see similar things in society all the time.

Tell people they have made a mistake and you might get a mea culpa; insinuate they are fundamentally flawed and not up to the job and they will close ranks.

It's not just Everton, many clubs are at the wrong end of decisions in a season but few, if any, are in the Top 4. Does this mean they are so much better at the game that it would be hard to believe they would commit a foul because they are Man City or Liverpool or Chelsea?

Decisions go against clubs with poor players probably because they commit more fouls, it's common sense, but clear-cut decisions should be impartial. So are we just unlucky?

When you see how the Top 6 clubs are treated by the FA, the media, and referees, you cannot dispute there is an agenda to ensure the brand is preserved. I said it before and I firmly believe, we are the perfect patsy for an FA without transparency, to show they are doing a job without harming the brand of the Top 6.

Sometimes we don't help ourselves.

Richarlison and Gordon have dived or gone to ground far too easily at times and deservedly picked up needless yellows. Sadly they haven't won the free-kicks they deserve because of this. We as fans get fed up with it so I'm sure referees do too.

I take comfort in that, compared to what goes on in many other national leagues, ie, South America, Asia and other European countries, we have a pretty high standard of referees and fairness.

But there's always room for improvement.

Just how many British Referees have been chosen for the World Cup games? The answer is ZERO — that's how good they are!

There isn't an anti-Everton agenda per se. There is just incompetency amongst officials in the game on an increasingly obvious and industrial scale that impacts most clubs.

Even given previous misgivings over the years, it's on a scale that I've never previously witnessed. They appear totally star-struck and seemingly beholden to the media. Until they are held to account and made to explain their decisions (live or post-match), they will continue to hide behind the protective screen they are afforded. If managers have to do it in the heat of the moment, then why not officials?

I would predict that, if they did have to explain decisions, they would, over time, think twice about the decisions they make. Especially with the benefit of video technology that should make it clear and obvious. But they've even messed the implementation of that up. Call me paranoid, but I can't help thinking it keeps pundits in a job. The VAR system should be simple. I can see it. You can see it. We can see it. But what would the pundits do without the drama?

So to your point. It's not just Everton that suffer. It is the many whilst the few benefit. It's obvious. It's not the technology. It's incompetence bordering on passive corruption to the favoured few.

Start-struck officials backed by a star-struck media.This is our game.

Just as we took our club back this season, we need to take our game back from the grip of those who have jumped on the Sky generation bandwagon.

Sorry for the morning rant.

incompotent star-struck officials backed by a star-struck media sums it all up perfectly.

Too many errors to mention but the one that typifies what you say is the Allan red card awarded by the VAR. How that was not reversed on appeal defies belief.

You say, “Richarlison and Gordon have dived or gone to ground far too easily at times and deservedly picked up needless yellows.”

Correct, they have. But how many ‘deserved' yellow cards have been issued to Salah, Sterling, Jota etc for similar performances? Salah in particular has made diving an art form yet how many cards does he get?

Referees show, maybe subconsciously, a slight bias to some 'big' Clubs to prevent the tsunami of criticism that they would receive if they were to administer a second yellow to Salah et al for ‘simulation'.