Published: Monday, 09 February 2026
Well, we hit rock bottom this weekend. What on earth was John Brooks (VAR) thinking? What an absolute farce. And if you didn’t believe our refereeing was in crisis - as I suggested last week - you’ve got to now surely?
Why? Where was the common sense? What was Brooks saying to Pawson at that monitor? We need to know. This is why we should be able to listen to those conversations. Pawson should’ve told Brooks to fuck off and been strong enough to stand by his decision to give City that goal.
What if….? What if Liverpool had equalised in the time left? What if City miss out on tittle by a goal? A long shot I know, but possible. What if Pawson had just used his head and applied common sense?
He gave the goal as we know. And this is significant - he didn’t see an offence in real time. How do I know? Because he didn’t wave play on. He didn’t apply the advantage law. If he had done Szoboszlai stays on and he can allow the goal.
Read this -
Law12 fouls and misconduct Advantage -
If a referee plays the advantage for an offence for which a caution/send off would have been issued had play been stopped, this caution/send off must be issued when the ball is next out of play. However if the offence was denying the opposing team an obvious goal-scoring opportunity the player is cautioned for unsporting behaviour
There you go. But Pawson wasn’t doing his job properly so none of the above applied.
Just give the goal and blow the final whistle. Then VAR don’t need to get involved.
As that circus was unfolding at Anfield I wonder where Howard Webb was? Packing his pj’s for another night away is probably the answer. Look at this. I couldn’t believe this when a friend sent it to me this weekend. He found it on Google.
To get in touch with Howard Webb for professional, commercial, or speaking engagements, contact booking agents such as Champions Speakers (0207 1010 553 or
[](mailto:Howard.Webb@championsukplc.com)This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.), NMP Live (020 3822 0003 or [](mailto:booking.agent@nmp.co.uk)This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.), or
MN2S. He is not accessible for fan mail or autographs. ®
I don’t know how old this is, but it appears Mr Showbiz has got himself new agents. He’s looking for corporate work/after dinner dates. Why? Isn’t his £250,000/year salary enough? And what about the line that reads ‘he is not accessible for fan mail or autographs’. You couldn’t make it up.
It’s incredible. How is this allowed? If Webb spent more time doing his job properly and less on his showbiz career we might just get out of the mess our refereeing is in.
As for the game - well played City. We desperately need a title race this season and let’s hope whoever wins it makes a better fist of defending it than Liverpool.
Has any coach ever been given more than Lost on the back of a title win? £400m to make a title team better.
I’ve always said they were poor champions. They crawled over the line last season and won it largely because there wasn’t a challenge. How many times have I said that?
When Liverpool finally sack Lost I wonder who will take the blame? Michael Edwards? Richard Hughes? Of course not - they’ll both run for the hills.
Have you seen the bottom of the C’ship? 22. Blackburn. 21. Leicester. How sad. The only two teams to have shaken up the usual order of things in the PL and taken the title off the big boys. Both are now in serious trouble.
And did I read this story correctly? West Ham are currently paying salaries to three managers? Lopetegui until his deal ends in June 2926, Graham Potter until June 2027 and of course. Nuno. The cost is reported to be £10.5m/year. Scandalous. Remind me - who is in charge of football affairs at West Ham?
Before I go this week I’d like to wish my friend and former colleague Dr Tareq Hamad Al-Jalahma all the very best in his new life as a Minister of State for Youth and Sports in Kuwait.
It was a pleasure getting to know Tareq these past 13 years. Like me he’s decided it’s time to move on. Good luck my friend.
There has been no fall out between myself and beINSPORTS. I’ve loved every minute of my time in Qatar - a country that means the world to me. I have a deep affection for it, but it’s time for me to move on. I’m not retiring - simply changing course. There’s a whole lot more to come yet. 👍🏼.