[iadom]

FA release statement


An FA spokesman after the game absolved the linesman of any
responsibility
for the apparently mistaken decision not to award a goal to Spurs after
a
shot from the halfway line crossed the goal line by at least a metre.


"The shot came in from an unusual distance and as such caught the
linesman
out of position forcing him to race back towards the goal as the play
developed", explained the spokesman, "As he ran, the United scarf he was
wearing under his shirt came loose and fluttered up into his face
obscuring
his view and preventing him from making the call. It was just one of
those
things."


In response to further questions from the Press the spokesman explained
"If
they don't already have a United tattoo most officials on game day try
to
wear a scarf or a replica shirt under their regulation kit to show their
support for the worlds greatest club. The linesman in this case had
chosen
to wear a United scarf, a common choice that is in keeping with FA
guidelines. The root cause of the problem lies not with the linesman but
with the players and management of Tottenham Hotspur Football Club who
broke one the most important unwritten rules of the English FA: They
placed
a shot on target at Old Trafford. Martin Jol is new to this country and
perhaps he s not yet familiar with some of our finer traditions.
Fortunately if he doesn't yet understand that for the greater good of
the
game visiting teams, by tradition, are not expected to try to score at
Old
Trafford then our officials are in a position to help Mr Jol make that
cultural adjustment."


Chuckling to himself the FA spokesman added "The goal had to be
disallowed
to avoid us descending down a slippery slope that would be bad for the
national game. It's a fine line the officials have to walk. If they
award a
goal this week, next week someone might expect a penalty or ask that Van
Nistleroy be booked for diving. Can you imagine? That would just never
do.
No no no. Shocking, just the thought of it."