Steve Bennett.

[Lapskaus]

Originally Posted by Ged B

Except he didn't.
Bennet's appaling performance may not have helped, but we would have lost anyway.

Negative dribble. Playing 10 against 12 gave us no chance. We might have still lost, but we might have won as well, you'll never know because the ref is either on the take or buckled under the pressure of being bullied by ferguson. It was a disgrace.

[Faustus]

Steve Bennett is a disgrace to his profession.

I was at the match yesterday and at the time, I thought he was right to send Mascherano off but when we got back and watched the incident on the telly, I realised it was an absolute ridiculous decision. Fuck's sake, even Andy Gray said he shouldn't have gone.

There was no aggression and no swearing. You could clearly see him just ask "what was that for?"

For Torres to be booked for saying "that's the third time I've been fouled" is a joke.

All week long we've heard how referees deserve more respect. Well here's an idea, how about they get respect when they make the big calls and get the big decisions right? Bennett's performance yesterday was abysmal and may as well have put a red shirt on. He's a fucking shithouse.

Before the Torres booking and Mascherano sending off, Scholes should have been booked for yet another snide challenge that he always seems to get away with. It seems to be a running joke that "poor old Scholesy can't tackle, it's not his fault" and you always see his shithouse challenges go unpunished every single week. Bennett well and truly fucked that up.

When Rooney was put through on goal and miscontrolled the ball and caught Reina, he knew what he was doing. No way was that accidental, the horrible fat cunt knew what he was doing. Again, Bennett failed to see that. Maybe it wasn't a booking, but he should have had a word with him at least.

Once again, the old pisshead got to the referee with his words in the week about respect and protection. Where the fuck was the protection for our players? Torres was within his rights to ask for protection when he was booked and I can't see how that equates to dissent.

And what's going to happen now with Bennett? He'll get a game next week such is the arrogance of the refereeing hierarchy in this country. They must be the only group in the country who escape criticism week after week. Even when a manager constructively criticises the referee in his post match interview, you see him get a touchline ban. It doesn't make sense. Obviously that doesn't go for the alcoholic twat down the M62 as he seems to be able to question the integrity of a referee and get fuck all.

The referees should get respect when they have the bollocks to make the big decisions. Bennett well and truly bottled it yesterday.

[redrosetints]

Originally Posted by Moschops II

We sound like Everton, we really do. The Mancs turn us over, and it's automatically because the ref's bent. If the Blues were saying similar things after being done 3-0 by us, we'd be wetting ourselves laughing.

What was going on when we kept beating them under Houllier then? Had there been a cock-up with the direct debits to the referees?

cheers Mosser, was wonderring if anyone was going to put the thread straight. We took a beating, deal with it. Regroup, heads down, work hard beat the smug cunts in Moscow.

[joey54]

he was the 4th official during the ashley cole rant at riley...and copped some flack from hackett...and as hackett was in the stands yesterday it was a sure thing someone would walkand 80% chance they would be wearing a white shirt

[MLB]

Moschops is talking sense there. We do sound like the bitters. It was unquestionably a dire refereeing performance though.

[Holy Joe]

Originally Posted by Paul

What are you referring to, Pete?


Agreed.

On the whole refereeing issue, the arrival of the FA's first independent chairman gets its first test of whether anything will change when Fergie and his assistant go before the disciplinary panel this/next week. A touchline ban for both and a big fine would send out a strong message about both the FA's determination to face down the bullying of the game's biggest characters as well as to strengthen the standing of its referees.

Do you think that will happen Paul? I think we've as much chance of seeing Rooney, Terry et al being cautioned for what Mascher did yesterday

[Neil G]

I'd like to defend myself, and the people who think Bennett was actively favouring the Mancs, against accusations of sounding like the bitters.

I, and most of the other posters in questions as far as I can tell, am not blaming Bennett for the defeat. The vitriol aimed at Bennett isn't an "ifitadnabinferthatcuntofarefwe'davewon" type bitter rant. We were second best yesterday: our defending was woeful, we had no confidence as a team and most of our players didn't turn up. But that doesn't let that prick off the hook for a shameful performance, nor does it negate any questioning about the Mancs' practice of getting referees in their corner.

[Lapskaus]

Originally Posted by Neil G

I'd like to defend myself, and the people who think Bennett was actively favouring the Mancs, against accusations of sounding like the bitters.

I, and most of the other posters in questions as far as I can tell, am not blaming Bennett for the defeat. The vitriol aimed at Bennett isn't an "ifitadnabinferthatcuntofarefwe'davewon" type bitter rant. We were second best yesterday: our defending was woeful, we had no confidence as a team and most of our players didn't turn up. But that doesn't let that prick off the hook for a shameful performance, nor does it negate any questioning about the Mancs' practice of getting referees in their corner.

fucking spot on!

[greenoak]

Fact remains that rio and vidik were able to kick lumps out of torres the whole game and nothing happens. Fat bot slams into our goalie nothing happens. Ronny dives at every chance posible, nothing happens. Rio can swing elbows and nothing happens.

The linesmen also fail to spot offsides in their favour.

Every single decision needed went their way.

Our defenders get booked for the first mis timed tackle.
We dare to question ref for any decision and bang here's a card.

No way was it a level playing field yesterday.

[zigackly]

Bennett's performance yesterday was one of the worst I've ever seen. I don't think it affected the result because the likelihood is we were never going to come back from a goal down playing the way we were. He's still a shit ref though.

[King Kenny's Le]

Having just read the posts above I think its clear to say that Bennett is, beyond doubt, one of the worst referees that we have ever had.

Never thought I'd say this but Uriah Rennie would have been better yesterday. Or even Stevie fucking Wonder.

Why do they insist on giving high profile, high pressure games to referees who haven't got the strength of mind to stand up to the red nosed pisshead and his bunch of gobshites.

I don't mind losing to a better team, and I never have, but I hate being robbed! Bennett should have a fucking mask on and carry a pistol instead of a whistle!

All I want now is for us to beat the manc shitbags in Moscow!

And for the Arse to beat the cunts to the title!

[MLB]

I couldn't even read the match reports in the papers this morning because the site of Bennett was making me seethe. I can't fucking stand injustice - especially when it's doled out by smug, officious little pricks like him.

[Neil G]

Who's been at Wikipedia then?

Steve Bennett (referee) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[Mr Piechnik]

Steve 'I Love Men' Bennett

Haha thats good

[zico]

Ferguson asked for him and got him for this game...
We can all see why....
The FA has been in Utdīs pockets for so long now I canīt believe more people are not questioning it.

Call me paranoid, but when you do ask yourself if he will ever give such a soft red card to a man utd player - NO FUCKING WAY

Any unbiased referee not bought off would have called the captain over and asked him to have a word with the player, last warning like.......

Why did he not book Ronaldo for diving, itīs a yellow card offense which he committed 5-7 times, or his constant complaining when the freekick is not given? (2-3 red cards right there)

Bennett can burn in hell!!

[hamstrung]

Rafa Benitez wants Keith Hackett talks over Javier Mascherano red card - Liverpool Echo.co.uk

RAFA BENITEZ is to seek talks with referees chief Keith Hackett over the sending off of Javier Mascherano against Manchester United.

Mascherano was today expected to be slapped with a three-match ban by the FA for his refusal to leave the pitch after being dismissed by Steve Bennett.

The Argentinian picked up an automatic one-game ban for the two yellow cards he received on Sunday and he is now likely to be hit with a further two game suspension which would mean as well as missing this weekend’s derby, he would also be ruled out of forthcoming fixtures against Arsenal and Blackburn.

But should Mascherano request a personal hearing, there is a possibility that any such ban would be delayed.

Benitez is now keen to enter into a dialogue with Hackett in a bid to find “a solution” to the problems which occurred at Old Trafford.

He said: “I would like to speak to Keith Hackett because it is important that we find a solution.

“At Liverpool, we respect the game, we respect the rules and we respect the referee, and it is important to remember that Mascherano was the first Liverpool player to be sent off in the league this season.”

John Arne Riise believes his team-mate’s emotions boiled over because of his passion for the club. But backed him to learn from the experience.

He said: I don't know what was said (between Mascherano and Bennett) but I feel that the referee should have called Steven Gerrard to him before this.

“Mascherano boiled over, but he will learn from this.

“He is an intense player who loves the club and loves to win, therefore he probably got a little too hot in that situation.”

Meanwhile, Fernando Torres is likely to be fit to play for Spain in tomorrow night’s friendly against Italy despite picking up a number of knocks against United.

Liverpool’s top scorer underwent a scan yesterday which revealed several minor injuries to his legs and ribs, but none are thought to be serious enough to keep him out of action

[Lapskaus]

they will just answer: "Ferguson told us dissent is dissent, 5 match ban"

[Newport]

It's all there. He's the (red) devil, el diablo, Voldemort, a nazi, anti christ, whatever... A threat to society.

[Redexile]

Originally Posted by zigackly

Bennett's performance yesterday was one of the worst I've ever seen. I don't think it affected the result because the likelihood is we were never going to come back from a goal down playing the way we were. He's still a shit ref though.

That's exactly what I said in the office today. Mascher's sending off will , unfortunately, mask an inept preformance from Bennet who allowed Vidic, Ferdinand and Scholes to kick lumps off our players. I'll bet if you check his record most of his bookings and sendings off have been for verbals rather than bad tackles.

[Lapskaus]

SB: Rrrred carrrrrd , that felt gooood
Tommy: Get in the ring motherfucker!


(For Mascher lovers, feel free to avatar this one)

[Brownie]

That's class that pic!