Dermot Gallagher feels sorry for referee as Aston Villa goal ruled out v Manchester City
Dermot Gallagher has admitted it is the assistant referee to blame for Philippe Coutinho’s goal being disallowed in the Aston Villa draw with Manchester City.
The Brazilian fired in a wonder strike that would have handed his side all three points, only for it to be wrongly ruled offside, with the whistle going just before he shot.
Ex-Premier League referee, Gallagher, insisted that he felt sorry for the referee, who would have thought that nothing will come from Coutinho dribbling away from goal before his strike.
Speaking live on Sky Sports’ Ref Watch, as shared on their website, Gallagher shared his verdict on the latest controversy to face the Villans.
“It was an error by the assistant,” he said. “I don’t think it was an error by the referee.
“The assistant has flagged when he is not offside. They are encouraged to let the game glow, but bear in mind Coutinho came six or seven yards backwards, so he wasn’t going towards goal.
“In your mind, you are always going to whistle as there is no chance of scoring, he then went across the field, and when he had shot, the whistle had long gone.
“It’s the referee that I felt sorry for.”
Rubbish.
This will mean absolutely nothing to Steven Gerrard and the Villans.
Not one person feels sorry for any officials, whether at the game or on VAR in the Premier League, especially after the weekend of horrors they have just had.
The standard of officiating is getting worst in England, and the consistency is the main reason behind that.
For weeks, we have had to endure officials waving play on for ages before the flag goes up for clear offsides, but when a tight one, which was actually onside is to be debated, the flag goes up instantly.
Things have to seriously change and Gallagher can feel sorry for as many referees and try and defend them, but the truth is, they are not good enough.
Communication and consistency are the two main things missing right now, and who is going to feel sorry for Gerrard if he eventually loses his job? None of these officials, who won’t actually care.
In other Aston Villa news, £30million worth of shares have been pumped into the club to ensure any debts can be cleared heading into the meat of the season.