Human Error

The talking point from this weekend has undoubtedly been the performances of Rob Styles (the Referee at Anfield) and Ian Gosling (the Referee's Ass. at Craven Cottage), after they made incorrect decisions that affected the outcomes of both matches.

Styles, to the astonishment of Steve Finnan and Jamie Carragher (pictured), awarded a penalty when Florent Malouda 'fell' and handed Chelsea a point. Gosling failed to see that David Healy's last ditch effort actually crossed the line and Fulham were robbed of a point. Both Officials have been punished with a week's suspension.

Inevitably there have been calls for "goal-line technology" and "instant video evidence".

I have never been interested in either of these things... and so here we begin my list of 'What Makes Football Great'. Number One: Human Error.

Human error is imperative to football. Imagine this weekend's football where every contentious decision had been given correctly. What would we be talking about?

Controversy inspires discussion.

It incites emotion.

It makes football what it is today... the fact that one day you can be awarded a goal for a shot that never crossed the line... and two years later... you can be conceding penalties to diving French wingers.

That's the other great aspect of human error. What goes around, comes around. Liverpool suffered to a penalty that should never have been given this weekend, but they benefited in the Champions League Semi-Final in 2005 for a goal that never crossed the line. Can Liverpool fans really be that disappointed after an Official made a bad decision? Sure they can - but the cycle will come round again, when they will get a decision in their favour and it will be their turn to say 'I thought the referee did well'.

We live in a blame culture, and so losing sides have a tendency to blame Referees for their loss. However in truth, it is not one moment in a game, it is not one split second of a decision, that decides the outcome of a football match... but there are 90 minutes with which to decide the outcome of the match for yourself.