Oh EPL, you’re so silly. You have the league with the highest paid players in the world (thanks, Euro notes and Dubai investors!) and then some of the rowdiest fans (Italy has you beat there, England). So when you had your players and coaches sign up for the Get On With The Game campaign to show the refs a little more respect, how long did you think it would take for any change to take hold? Because human nature is what it is, and when you’re playing for Manchester United and used to getting calls going your way, it might be a while until you start to respect anyone other than your moms if last Sunday against Chelsea was any indication.

It could be a very long project at this rate. Seven Manchester United players were booked on Sunday and the most damning statistic was that three of the yellow cards were awarded for dissent; so much for the promise to improve standards of behaviour. “I don’t think anyone expected an overnight avalanche of change,” said Dan Johnson, a Premier League spokesman. “It’s about working hard in a collegial fashion with players, managers and the referees.

Yes and singing “Kum Ba Yah” in a circle in the middle of the pitch while fairy dust falls from the stands. Or are those flaming rolls of toilet paper? Well, whatever it is it’s fair to say being a ref in the league is a tough gig, which means that they should hit ‘players where it hurts if they want to make any dent in the respect game. That’s right, hit ‘em in the wallet… which they’d put in the player’s crotch right before the ref punches them in the nuts when they get mouthy. That’ll learn them, not some lovie dovie campaign.

United dissent shows respect is still a long way off [Guardian UK]
Image [Guardian UK]