Hi ho, dodgy linesman

  • by Staff Writer
  • Thursday, 7th February 2019

The assistant who failed to spot that James Milner was in an offside position in the build-up to Liverpool's goal on Monday night has been given the weekend off.

Simon Beck was the errant official who so infuriated West Ham supporters during the 1-1 draw with the title-chasers after Milner was allowed to square the ball for goalscorer Mane during the first half of the televised encounter.


Linesman Simon Beck [pic: Mirror]


Fortunately for West Ham, Michail Antonio's swift response meant that United didn't leave the OS empty-handed - although many felt that one point should've been three, including manager Manuel Pellegrini who argued that his team had been hard done by.

Now, following a review of the incident and others in the match, The Mirror report that Beck has effectively been afforded a weeks' gardening leave; a source stating that the linesman had been "given the weekend to go shopping".

There is however no news of any action being taken against Beck's fellow assistant referee, Matthew Wilkes, who allowed Divock Origi to continue with play and fashion a goalscoring opportunity in the dying seconds of the game when also in a clearly offside position.

Since then, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has been asked by the FA to explain his reasons for remonstrating with the match officials, including referee Kevin Friend, immediately after the final whistle of Monday night's match.

Embed from Getty Images


During his post-match press conference, Klopp argued that Friend and his team may have been influenced to give any "50/50" decisions to West Ham in the second half of the game having been made aware of their gaff during the half time interval.

ICYMI: Liverpool fans also had plenty to say about the game after their team's title challenge had been stunted - you can read a round-up of views from Merseyside in the latest edition of the OV.

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