Rafael Benitez has arrived in Newcastle, presumably in order to take over from Steve McClaren at the Magpies, but I guess it’s possible he’s just meeting a few mates for a furious weekend of lager and vindaloo.

Whatever the reason, it’s that sort of cayenne spice that Benitez will be bringing back to the already chilli-infused Premier League. Spiky, fiery and not a man disposed to making a lot of friends amongst the managerial fraternity. Or at least, a man with a fair few enemies. We’re certainly excited for his return. It gives an already interesting league just that little bit extra. Nando’s chicken may already be spicy, but Benitez is, today at least, the footballing equivalent of a dash of peri-peri sauce.

After all, we now have a Tyne-Wear derby in a few weeks between a Newcastle-led Benitez and a Sunderland-managed Sam Allardyce – as if the derby wasn’t tasty enough, it’s now become a relegation scrap and a street fight between two managers who hate each others’ guts independently of the clubs they work for. Like the Power Rangers, the Tyne-Wear derby is already cool, but bringing in this extra narrative sees that entire rivalry morph into some sort of hypable Premier League Power Ranger megazord.

And that’s far from the only Premier League fixture that will receive the Sky treatment if Benitez is installed in the Toon.

Next season, if he manages to stay in the Premier League (far from certain, though, I might add) the league could have Pep Guardiola, Arsene Wenger, Claudio Ranieri, Antonio Conte and possibly even Jose Mourinho as well as Benitez himself. Which would make for hype and narrative at every turn. A little slice of rivalry to go on top of the rivalry already created by the fact that two opposing football teams are playing a game against each other.

But this is the Premier League, dear friends, everything is sensationalised, hyped beyond recognition and probably to stratospheric levels of ridicule and hyperbole. And why not? After all, the football’s still there, the sporting achievements are still valid, so why not have a bit of fun along the way?

Benitez’s arrival will certainly do that. Whether or not this is the right appointment for Newcastle is deliciously irrelevant to the Premier League hype machine. We crave the storyline running through the matches, transcending and arching over the season, like a Hollywood TV series or professional wrestling. Every game from here on in takes on that extra dash of spice, morphs into something bigger than one game of football.

Are we moving to an era of football Sports Entertainment? Who cares? The relegation battle just got very tasty indeed.

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Regardless of where the Red Devils ultimately finish in the Premier League this season – whether that be among those all-important top-four slots or completely out of the picture for European qualification altogether – the upcoming summer transfer period looks bound to be a rather telling one for Manchester United one way or another.

Louis van Gaal is largely expected to step down at the end of the current season, with Jose Mourinho set on becoming the next high profile manager to try his hand in the famed Old Trafford dug-out, and several big-name players have subsequently been linked with an illustrious switch to the Red Devils.

So then, as the Man United hierarchy are reportedly ready to point a staggering £40 million in the direction of Benfica’s 18-year-old midfielder Renato Sanches this summer, are the determined Red Devils about to embark on yet another ill-conceived transfer quest? Or could this up and coming Portuguese talent actually help transform the sleeping giants back into genuine title contenders?

Well, based on the midfielder’s undoubted flashes of brilliance throughout the domestic campaign thus far, this is one player who could set the Premier League alight next season.

The rapidly emerging 18-year-old may indeed fail to offer the greatest goal threat we’ve ever seen, but when it comes breaking forward with sheer tenacity, displaying a truly wonderful ability to shield the ball in even the most testing of circumstances and simply helping his team-mates to make something happen, Sanches definitely looks like one to keep a close eye on over the coming seasons.

Manchester United’s recent interest in the Portuguese youngster therefore arrives as very little surprise with all things fairly considered. Whenever an exciting up and coming talent suddenly crops up on the European footballing circuit with a vast amount of potential locked firmly under his belt, the Red Devils are always waiting in the wings, ready to blow the rest of their competition out of the water with yet another sizeable offer.

The Old Trafford faithful could certainly do with an added sense of flair in their first choice starting XI. A player of Sanches’ growing class would most probably fit into Jose Mourinho’s desired course of action down at Manchester United that’s for sure, and as both Michael Carrick and Bastian Schweinsteiger clearly aren’t getting any younger, perhaps the current Benfica star could become something of a necessity.

But is he really worthy of the £40m price-tag? Even the most unrealistic of Red Devils supporters would have to raise an eyebrow or two over such a hefty valuation, especially as the club have been heavily criticised for wasting large sums of cash on several ill-fated transfer schemes in the past.

Unless Manchester United can negotiate a more suitable asking price for the Portuguese midfielder throughout the upcoming summer transfer window, then perhaps the Red Devils should ultimately look to point their hard-earned resources elsewhere. It’s not as if there aren’t any other equally talented alternatives out there to choose from after all…

Although Renato Sanches certainly looks like a really promising talent at this particular stage in his career, he has nonetheless failed to prove his ability for a sustained period of time, and on the basis of such a conclusion Manchester United must think twice before deciding to shove the vast amount of their summer budget in the direction of yet another inexperienced teenager…

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It’s been the most awful of seasons for Aston Villa, but finally the supporters have had something to cheer about in the last couple of days. Dr Tony Xia has agreed to buy the Claret and Blues for around £75m and the deal is now waiting for Football League approval.

But with potential new owners comes the potential for new summer signings and Dr Xia, who is a massive football fan, has promised Villa a serious transfer kitty, which if you believe the Chinese investor, could transform the fallen giants.

It’s good news for Villa fans and after the season they’ve just had they could do with some good news. So with money on the very close horizon, here are FIVE names Villa could do with bringing in ahead of the Championship season…

Joey Barton

A slightly controversial one, but Joey Barton could be an excellent signing by any potential new manager. He’s battled and scrapped in the middle of the park with Burnley this season and his quality ensured the Clarets were automatically promoted back to the Premier League. He’s been linked with a move to Rangers though, so Villa might have to get in there quick if Barton is in fact on the agenda.

Roberto Di Matteo

Di Matteo is the man that has been linked with the vacant managerial hot-seat at Villa Park, and what a signing that could turn out to be. The Italian has had good spells at both West Brom and Chelsea, and was most recently at FC Schalke in Germany. The Italian has a gentle giant approach about him, and this may be what Villa need after years of turmoil.

David Faupal

David Faupala is one of Manchester City’s real gems. He’s come through the academy and was given his first taste of first team action when City travelled to Chelsea in their FA Cup fifth round replay. They lost the game 5-1, but he was one of a handful of young stars that caught the eye, and some first-team action at one of the biggest clubs in the Championship would be excellent for his development.

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Jordon Ibe

Jordon Ibe is widely expected to leave Liverpool at the end of the season due to a lack of first team opportunities, but his destination is yet to be decided. He’d be a real coup for Villa too – he’s quick, has excellent vision and is willing to chase down loose balls. Whether he’d drop down a level to the Championship is yet to be seen, but he’s one Villa should keep an eye on.

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Abel Hernandez

It’s taken him a while, but Hull City striker Abel Hernandez is finally showing the form he was renowned for at Palermo. 22 goals in 44 appearances for the Tigers this season have helped them on their way to a play-off final at Wembley, and should Steve Bruce’s side fail to get back to the Premier League, Villa should make a move. He’s ridiculously quick and knows where the goal is – they’ve missed that this season.

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According to reports from The Daily Mail, Arsenal captain Mikel Arteta is considering offers to join the coaching staff at Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur.

The Spaniard has registered 148 appearances across all competitions for the Gunners, captaining them since Thomas Vermaelen’s move to Barcelona in summer 2014.

WANT MORE? >> Arsenal Transfer News | Spurs Transfer News

But after finding a goal from the bench against Aston Villa yesterday afternoon, the 34-year-old exploded into tears upon the final whistle.

Arteta’s Emirates contract expires at the end of the season and having struggled with continuous injury problems in recent campaigns, he now looks set to hang up his boots and move into coaching.

As quoted by The Daily Mail, the veteran playmaker told reporters after yesterday’s game; “I am going to leave (it open) by one per cent because in football one per cent is a lot and things can twist very quickly.

“But I have different options now to be related to football which I am very grateful for. It is very unusual to have opportunities at this level.

“As well, that made me think it was probably time (to retire) and the way I have been watching football in the last few months – or probably over a year – it was not as a player, it was more as a coach. Then you have to think about it.”

According to the British newspaper, Arteta has three options to kick-start his coaching career. He could join the staff at Arsenal, join Pep Guardiola at Manchester City or controversially switch allegiances to north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur.

He said; “I don’t want to say clubs but I have three very different options and I am very proud because it is not common.

“I have so much respect for this club, what they think about me and what they have shown in the last few weeks that they want to do with me, that I cannot talk about any other things.”

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Jose Mourinho needs to make an impact at Manchester United this summer.

As if his arrival on the scene opposite his sparring partner at City wasn’t enough, Mourinho knows that the Etihad club will be spending big to win the title next season.

Therefore, the new United boss will have to match him and go like-for-like. As with all clubs at this time of the year, some players will go and some will come in, so it’s more the who is coming in that excites the Old Trafford faithful.

There are a number of good players at United, but Mourinho will want them playing his way and that will mean bringing in his own targets.

With a reported £200m to spend, just who will Jose bring in?

They will need to be quality, to add the extra ingredient that was missing last year and he will need to build a spine that he can trust.

Here are five players that Jose just can’t miss out on this summer…

Zlatan Ibrahimovic

The 34-year-old Sweden international is a winner and Mourinho has worked with Zlatan before, so he knows the player inside and out.

The striker has won more titles and trophies in various countries than most and more importantly, he scores goals. Manchester United lacked this commodity last season, but Zlatan is a virtual guarantee of the ball hitting the back of the net.

His charisma and arrogance isn’t to everyone’s liking, but he is an experienced striker on the European and world stage and brings qualities to United that just aren’t there currently.

Former Manchester United coach Rene Meulensteen calls him “the perfect fit” because of his record as a serial “winner”.

Peter Schmeichel claims the striker is “born to play for Manchester United”.

The man has a reputation that would put the fear of God into most Premier League defences.

Paul Pogba

The Frenchman isn’t having the best Euro campaign, but there are flashes of why teams like Manchester United and Real Madrid want to spend millions on him.

The Juventus midfielder is likely to leave Turin this summer with Real leading the way, but Pogba has unfinished business at Old Trafford.

With Mourinho at the helm, Pogba may be swayed by his charm into signing and being a part of a new dawn. Jose wants Pogba so badly that he is willing to offer Matteo Darmian as part of the deal.

£60m is what United want to pay, but Juve want more for the 23-year-old.

John Stones

If ever there was dead cert transfer this summer, Stones to United is probably it.

Mourinho couldn’t buy him when he was at Stamford Bridge, as Everton dug their heels in, but now the England defender is sure to move away from Goodison Park.

Stones is seen as a special talent and full of potential by many in the game. However, last season under Martinez, his game took a decisive nosedive and whilst the cultured youngster likes to play out of defence, that is where he got caught out so many times.

He has the poise and the quality and only Mourinho at this stage can knock him into shape.

N’Golo Kante

The Frenchman is someone that Mourinho really doesn’t want to let slip from his grasp. The Leicester sensation is on course to depart The Foxes and a host of top clubs are eyeing the 25-year-old.

Not only Manchester United, but PSG are now interested and Mourinho will need to fight hard to win his signature.

Kante was the heartbeat in the Leicester team and works hard with his tireless running. He was key to Leicester’s system by winning the ball before attacking players had the chance to do anything with it. T

his is exactly where he thrives. Kante also spends quite a lot of time out on the wing, helping to protect full-backs and when he noticed space out wide to be exploited, he was there.

As Ranieri says: “He never stopped running in training. I tell him, ‘One day, I’m going to see you cross the ball, and then finish the cross with a header yourself”. He’s unbelievable.”

Former Manchester United star Paul Parker believes Jose Mourinho needs to make at least three more signings or the club could finish the season outside of the Premier League’s top four.

The Portuguese has certainly been busy during his first transfer window at Old Trafford, already splashing out the best part of £150million on four new players.

WANT MORE? >> Man United Transfer News | Latest Transfer News

That includes a world-record £89million deal for Paul Pogba, who returns to United following four years at Juventus.

Likewise, Zlatan Ibrahimovic arrived from PSG on a free transfer and has already opened his Red Devils account with the third goal in a 3-1 win over Bournemouth last Sunday.

Mourinho has revealed his plan for this season is to challenge for the Premier League title, which would be the fourth of the former Chelsea manager’s trophy-laden career.

But former right-back Paul Parker, who made over 100 league appearances for the Red Devils, believes that United could even miss out on Champions League qualification unless Mourinho makes more signings.

Paul Parker, speaking exclusively to 888Sport, said; “They still need a centre forward and a centre-half and another midfield player. Manchester United aren’t finished yet; they can’t be because that present squad just isn’t going to win the league and Mourinho is all about winning the league.”

“Would you say United can even finish top four after what we saw in the Bournemouth game? I’d have to say not really. Liverpool look good and Arsenal will improve. Tottenham and Chelsea are hard to break down and will be in there. So United have some work to do between now and the end of August to bring in at least three players to guarantee a Champions League spot and maybe win the league.”

Read the full 888sport interview with Paul Parker, including his thoughts on how Paul Pogba may not live up to the price-tag 

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Whilst Liverpool’s attack is one frightening the rest of the Premier League and has reaped the most goals in 2016, their defence is far less assured.

This weekend’s match versus Leicester City exposed some of the weaknesses of this current Liverpool side. After finding themselves in a commanding 2-0 lead, Lucas Leiva inexplicably gifted Jamie Vardy a gilt-edged chance which he simply couldn’t refuse.

The Reds reasserted themselves on the Champions though and went on to win 4-1 in very impressive style but there is very little defence of Liverpool’s leaky defence!

However, manager Jurgen Klopp is aware of that too and has tried to address the problem this summer by signing the impressive centre-back Ragnar Klavan from Augsburg.

The 30-year-old Estonian has made over 350 league appearances in a number of countries and Klopp will be hoping his experience can sure up their porous defence.

The enigmatic boss knows the centre-back half well from his time in charge of Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund and is obviously fond of his talents.

We here also think it’s a shrewd signing for the reds, and here’s why…

His experience

Klavan is not someone Klopp has signed with the view to a promising future.

The German has brought in the centre-back to shore Liverpool’s leaky defence and he wants that sorting immediately.

Klavan is expected to settle quickly in England given his experience elsewhere. He has been at Augsburg for four years and led them to their highest ever finish in the German Bundesliga.

If Klopp can help the centre back adapt to the rigours of English football, we may be seeing a wise head at the back of Liverpool’s defence.

His strength

The Estonian has forged a reputation for his tough tackling back in Germany.

The centre-back starred in his former side’s 0-0 draw with Liverpool in the Europa League last season and Klopp was clearly impressed.

In fact, Klavan and co kept Liverpool largely at bay during the second leg too, but eventually succumbed to a 1-0 aggregate defeat.

He is very muscly and big in build and will be hopeful of bullying some of the Premier League strikers this season.

His reliability

The centre-back is not just a brute tackling machine, though. He is actually very reliable and is a calm head to have as leader of the back four.

On average last season, Klavan made less than one foul per match and picked up just two bookings.

For someone who’s job it is to tackle and stop the attacks, that is an astonishing record and all the Liverpool fans will be hoping he can emulate that form this season.

His height

His height and aerial prowess again make him a defender you wouldn’t want to mess with.

Klavan stands at 6 ft 1 and whilst not the tallest centre-back in the Premier League, he tends to be dominant in the air, winning the majority of aerial duels he finds himself in.

There’s definitely still work to be done with Klavan to make him a perfect Premier League centre-back but Liverpool can be confident they have a one in their ranks.

His goalscoring

Not something crucial for defenders but always a nice bonus when it comes along.

Klavan has been known to pop up with a few goals in his career, netting nine during his Augsburg career. He also scored nine times whilst at AZ Alkmaar so don’t be surprised if he makes the net bulge at Anfield a few times.

He attacks the ball very well in the air and will certainly be a threat from set-pieces this season.

Newcastle have taken to the Championship like a duck to water with Rafa Benitez’s side sitting comfortably at the top of the table. Much was made of the Magpies’ controversial relegation last term but Benitez has ensured the club remains in a position to achieve promotion after an inconsistent start.

After a troublesome and somewhat frightening beginning – the Toon failed to win their first two games before the visit of Reading to St. James’s Park in August – Newcastle’s despair turned to delirium as a run of 11 wins in 13 games has catapulted them to the summit of the league and the last 16 of the EFL Cup.

Preston are presented with the task of bringing down the in-form Tynesiders, with Simon Grayson’s side in a similar run of form. The Lancashire club have beaten Norwich, Huddersfield and Aston Villa in recent weeks despite their poor start to the campaign.

Even with both teams in good form, it’s still Newcastle who remain clear favourites for the contest. Rafa Benitez is an expert in such situations, so with that in mind, here is our expected Newcastle XI to beat Preston.

GK: Karl Darlow

Karl Darlow has become one of the best young goalkeepers outside of the Premier League following his consistent performances for Newcastle in recent months.

Despite Newcastle’s relegation, Darlow remained at the club with Benitez committing himself to securing promotion. He originally struggled to maintain a foothold in the Newcastle squad but is undeniably their best goalkeeper at present.

Darlow started the last two EFL Cup games so hes’s expected to start for Newcastle against Preston.

RB: Vurnon Anita

The consistent Anita may come in at right-back for Newcastle.

Preston will present no easy task for Newcastle, so a number of experienced players such as Anita will be expected to line up for the Toon.

CB: Grant Hanley

Hanley made the move from Blackburn Rovers to the North East this summer as Newcastle aimed to secure promotion at the first attempt.

The Scotland international has not been ever-present for the Magpies with just four league appearances in 13 games. But Hanley has played in the previous two EFL Cup ties so his place in the team looks all but assured ahead of the visit of Preston.

Should Hanley provide a solid performance, it may secure his place in the starting XI this weekend.

CB: Chancel Mbemba

Mbemba has proven his quality in England over the past 15 months and has become a key component to Newcastle achieving any success recently.

The DR Congo international defender was signed in 2015 and formed a partnership with Fabricio Coloccini before the Argentine departed the club in the summer.

LB: Achraf Lazaar

The Moroccan left-back could be set for a rare start for the club following a summer from Palermo.

Lazaar was highly thought of in Italy before his move to the North East, but the form of Paul Dummett has kept him warming the bench as Newcastle have continued their push up the league table.

A first appearance for the club came in the third round tie against Wolves and he will be hoping for a similar victory to secure his side’s place in the next round.

CM: Jack Colback

The ‘Ginger Pirlo’, Colback has become a pivotal part of Newcastle’s success this year and the Geordie remains the highest profile local player currently in the Newcastle squad.

Colback famously made the move from Sunderland in 2014 and received a lot of abuse for his career choice, but his dedication and commitment to Newcastle cannot be questioned.

CM: Mo Diame

This is now Diame’s second season in the Championship after he turned down Premier League football with newly-promoted Hull City to move to St. James’ Park.

Diame has been a colossus for Benitez’s boys this season and his ability to play in a number of positions makes him the perfect squad player. After making two appearances in the previous rounds, Diame is being tipped for a return to the first-team this Tuesday.

His ability to defend and attack will ensure Preston’s midfielders will need to remain at their very best.

RM: Christian Atsu

It wouldn’t be harsh to state Christian Atsu’s career has failed to live up to expectation as of yet.

The Ghanaian winger has been impressive for his nation since making his debut in 2012 but is currently struggling to find a club willing to provide him with the platform of regular first-team football.

Rafa Benitez opted to make a loan move for Astu this summer to strengthen his squad in the hope of achieving promotion. Atsu has struggled to make much of an impact but will probably get his chance to shine against Preston.

CAM: Ayoze Perez

When the transfer window slammed shut it came as a surprise to see Perez continuing to represent Newcastle.

Although the Spaniard is certainly inconsistent, his ability is endless. Perez was devastatingly good for Newcastle against Ipswich on Saturday and is expected to be given an opportunity to continue to impress against Preston.

Five goals in 12 games in all competitions is not a bad return for the 23-year-old.

LM: Yoan Gouffran

When Gouffran scores for Newcastle, they don’t lose. The French winger recently made his 100th league appearance for the club and continues to score important goals for the Toon.

Gouffran was expected to be frozen out of the squad this season but he has played in both EFL Cup games as well as 11 league matches.

His three goals have all come at crucial times, and the Newcastle faithful will be hopeful of another against Preston.

ST: Aleksandar Mitrovic

The Serbia international has rarely been witnessed near the first-team in recent weeks as the form of Dwight Gayle has been that impressive.

Mitrovic’s Newcastle career has regularly been halted due to conduct issues on the pitch but it’s now time the giant centre-forward focuses on scoring goals instead of clocking up red cards.

A goal or two against Preston this week and Benitez will have some selection headaches this weekend.

A lot of criticism has fallen at the feet of Sir Alex Ferguson for allowing Paul Pogba to leave United in 2012 on a free transfer.

Pogba returned to Old Trafford for £89million this summer, and many consider the deal the worst business ever made by a football club.

Sir Alex Ferguson was a major contributor to Pogba leaving four years ago, but the Scottish manager was correct to allow the midfielder to leave despite the fact that Pogba achieved resounding success post-Manchester United.

United’s position under Ferguson was a far cry from the mess the club currently finds themselves in. Four years ago, Ferguson had United at the summit of the league, which was a position they spent two decades at. Re-signing Pogba was a must for United this summer as the club were required to make a statement of intent.

But here are three reasons why Sir Alex was right to wave goodbye to the French midfielder in 2012…

Played under better managers at Juventus

At Manchester United, Pogba would have been guided by Ferguson’s tutelage for just one season before the Scot retired. David Moyes famously replaced the United legend before being sacked just months later. Louis van Gaal was expected to be saviour. when the reality was he was even worse than Moyes.

At Juventus, Pogba was guided by tactical masterminds such as Antonio Conte and Max Allegri. Their outstanding success at the Old Lady proved Pogba would learn from better managers in Italy, than in England.

Mino Raiola’s control

One thing that ensured Ferguson’s supremacy at United was the fact he never beckoned to player demands during his 26-year stint.

Pogba’s agent Mino Raiola was dictating situations behind the scenes in 2012, which is something the United boss refused to tolerate.

Raiola’s demands for his client not unreasonable at the time, but they left a sour taste in the manager’s mouth. Ferguson could never have lived with himself had he let the Frenchman and his agent overrule him.

Italy improved his overall game

The Italian league is notorious for player development and turning average players into world class performers. This was certainly the case in Pogba’s situation, as the French international became a household name for his performances at Juventus.

Marcos Alonso recently branded Italy a “footballing University” and in Pogba’s case, he graduated with a first-class honours degree. He has returned to England a far better player, with the foundation of his success being based on the Italian approach and defensive strategy.

During the north London derby on Sunday afternoon, you may have noticed Jan Vertonghen tug on the shirt of Arsenal’s Granit Xhaka in the Tottenham penalty box as the ball came over from a corner. This time last year, we may not have thought too much about it afterwards, but thanks to a new start of season initiative to penalise shirt pulling in the box – and its application, most notably by Mike Dean, in the first few weeks of the campaign – you may have heard BT Sport’s commentators wonder what on Earth had happened to that new direction given to referees.

‘It seems to have died a death,’ remarked main commentator Darren Fletcher, whilst co-commentator Steve McManaman lamented, ‘I liked it when they gave penalties for those,’ as though pining for some far off erstwhile reality in which Mike Dean was a figure of reason and hope.

Whether or not you think that ‘grappling’ should be worthy of a penalty or not, we can probably all get behind the idea that two months ago, that Vertonghen shirt pull would have been penalised – or at the very least, been the catalyst for a moan about the consistency of refereeing.

So, what happened?

The new initiative was talked about at the start of the season, before it all kicked off in Manchester City’s 4-1 win over Stoke City at the Bet365 Stadium on the second weekend of the season. That, at least, meant that players knew the risks they were taking before they did it.

The difference the application made – two penalties given in that City Stoke game – was drastic, and it seemed to make Mark Hughes change Stoke’s approach to dealing with set plays. They switched to marking zonally for a few games, presumably to prevent Ryan Shawcross from grabbing hold of a man he was supposed to be marking.

But recently that crack down does indeed seem to have ‘died a death’ since then. Stoke and champions Leicester City, who had been some of the most high profile offenders in that area last season are now starting to pick up more points than they did at the start of the season (that’s probably not solely due to the relaxation of the rule, but both sides did concede heavily from set-pieces at the start of the season, and perhaps the fact that penalties aren’t being given as readily means they are more confident at dealing with corners and free kicks as a result).

There’s no doubt that it was farcical at the start, but perhaps that’s the problem with making change when it comes to any of football’s ills. If you give red cards for diving, or if you give penalties for shirt pulling, what you’re trying to do is stamp out a side of the game no one wants to see. Cruel punishments in the short term to make the game kinder in the long run.

The problem isn’t with the theory, though. Remember that in England, referees don’t come out after the game to explain themselves, they come to referee the game and stay away from the spotlight. Only, any dodgy call thrusts them directly into the spotlight without any chance to defend themselves – and anger only breeds more anger.

We can’t stamp out the things we hate about the game until we give referees more respect, or until we stop fetishising their mistakes. It’s time to grow up. It is too easy for fans and media cheerleaders to blame their team’s defeat on a dodgy decision – referees are humans and make mistakes, just like footballers do in every game. When footballers make mistakes, we criticise them and that’s fair enough: but we don’t hang them out to dry in the same way as we do with referees, and we almost always try to explain why they did what they did, even if it doesn’t excuse them. We do not afford the same respect or understanding to referees when we criticise them

The media scrutiny and the pressure on referees to be robots and get every decision right without recourse to the technology that ‘rips the soul out of the game’ is why bad things happen to good initiatives. This is why we can’t have nice things.

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