Swizz referee needs police protection because of British Press

[Jome]

MERK BACKS MEIER

Euro 2004 final referee Markus Merk has lambasted the way that his fellow official Urs Meier has been treated by sections of the English press for his decision to chalk off Sol Campbell's "goal" in the quarter-final with Portugal last Thursday.

Meier was vilified by sections of the English media when he penalised John Terry for impeding Portugal goalkeeper Ricardo's attempt to beat Campbell to the ball but the referee has been given full public support by UEFA's refereeing committee while his fellow referees also queued up to defend him.

Merk, who has been appointed as the referee for Sunday's final in Lisbon, was furious at the treatment meted out to Meier who was retained as one of the last four referees in what is seen as tacit approval of his handling of the game at the Estadio da Luz which saw Sven-Goran Eriksson's side eliminated in a penalty shoot-out.

Merk said: "We have to say in life that there are always some people who are responsible for such things and all the referees and officials are very angry at the behaviour (of certain English journalists).

"There can never be a perfect match and the sad thing is that it was a wonderful game of football.

"It is not even a question of whether a referee is right or if he is wrong - that is not the issue.

"It can not be right for the press to harass a person who is trying to do his best and we can not accept that people follow him into his private life, follow him into the hotel - we are all very angry about it."

Merk was joined in his criticism by another high-profile official Pierluigi Collina, the best-known referee on the planet, who also considered some elements of the media had exceeded the bounds of decency.

Collina, who never criticises other officials as a matter of policy, said: "I don't want to make any comment [about the decision]."

However, he added: "The only thing that I want to say is that the difference between the public figure and the private person should be respected.

"The private life should be respected."

Meier had earlier made it clear he could not understand what the fuss is about.

The Swiss official said: "I am mostly concerned that the whole world could see that I made the right decision and I am just disappointed that the English media does not seem able to see that."

UEFA's refereeing committee had thrown their full support behind Meier and produced a video analysis of the incident to support their view that the official had made the correct decision.

The committee's German president Volker Roth said: "We are disappointed at the behaviour of some of your colleagues - as the German referees' boss I sometimes I have to deal with the press, even the yellow (tabloid) press - it is not very nice.

"But in the case of the English press to blame Urs Meier for what was a correct decision was unacceptable.

"To go into his private life, show his wife, put an England flag on his house - this is really unacceptable - we are really unhappy.

"If the press reacts in this way we must reconsider and let's say clearly and openly this is not a good way."

He was backed by referees' supremo Kenneth Ridden who said: "The referees committee discussed the matter thoroughly and we believe he made the right decision.

"The feeling of the committee after looking at the incident several times is to support the referee and his decision.

"Holding is an offence and must be punished according to the laws."

[Jome]

What this article forgets:

British tabloids printed the referee's adress, phone number, pictures of his house, wife, family, kids etc..
And has since received several threats, which made him acquire police guards in front of his house.
They have also reported on the referees failed marriage and mistress.
When asked if he will ever be ref in a England game again, he answered briefly: "My career is soon over".


British Press = Scumbags

[Don Seer]

yeah the tabloid part of our press is nuts.. they try and outdo each other.

lmao @ putting an England flag on his house.

[Don Rizzle]

haha gutted

[mauzip]

The poor man. Maybe it wasn't his best game, but he didn't make big mistakes.

[Leggy Hendrix]

the press need to get over it.the fact is, he made the decision, which he felt/feels is the right one, and all this bullshit they print about his personal life aint gonna change that...

it seems that they will blame anyone but theplayers...lets face it, they didnt play particularly well and hit some poor penalties, thats why they lost the game...

[Don Seer]

i'm really of the opinoin that if the game had been lost over that goal alone (it had remained 2-1 with that goal disallowed and we hadnt caught back another...) that fans would wrecked the place.

[bez]

Thats just wrong really.  It could of been given but really the right decision was made I think.  Terry had his arm on the keepers shoulder, it was probably a foul.

[...'BfCfC'...]

hes lucky its only the english press harrasin him

[T-Dogg]

hes lucky its only the english press harrasin him

Then again, the British tabloids are the worst as far as harrassing press goes, so...

[Jome]

hes lucky its only the english press harrasin him

That's not lucky at all, it's the worst kinda press there is.
English journalist says that American journalists are pussies, and never challenge the "hunted" or interview object.

[Don Seer]

what i think the actual problem is that the journo's dont work for any particular paper (but of course have connections) and will go out and do crazy shit to get the best picture etc.. risk themselves.. but as they are indepedents trying to get a crazy shot they then hawk around the tabloids you cant make a particular paper responsible.