' SURELY THIS CANT BE RIGHT? ' APPALLING DECISION FOR CITY
Tue Apr 26, 2016 1:44 pm
' SURELY THIS CANT BE RIGHT? ' APPALLING DECISION FOR CITY
Football League appoint a linesman from SHEFFIELD for Cardiff City's play-off crunch with Sheffield Wednesday
Tuesday 26th April 2016
BY PAUL ABBANDONATO
League bosses have chosen James Bell, who comes from the steel city, as assistant referee for Bluebirds' must-win showdown at Hillsborough
Football League bosses have appointed an official from Sheffield for Cardiff City’s huge play-off chasing showdown with Sheffield Wednesday this weekend.
James Bell, who comes from the steel city, will be one of the assistant referees running the line for match-day man in the middle Paul Tierney, who comes from Lancashire.
Bell is one of the rising officials in the game and there is no questioning his integrity or impartiality.
However, the fact that someone from Sheffield itself will have such a key role to play in the Hillsborough clash will raise eyebrows amongst many Bluebirds fans.
The match has been dubbed Cardiff’s ‘cup final’ by manager Russell Slade and is the most significant fixture the Bluebirds have been involved in since a Premier League relegation six-pointer at Sunderland two years ago.
Bell was appointed to the Football League list last May and quickly received congratulatory messages from his local refereeing body, the Sheffield Referees Association.
“Congratulations to James Bell on his appointment to the Football League as an Assistant Referee for next season. Belly we are so proud of you,” read one tweet.
Former top official Keith Hackett, who also comes from Sheffield and has worked as general manager of the Professional Game Match Officials Board, tweeted: “I offer my sincere congratulations to James Bell.”
The young linesman has yet to referee a match at Football League level, but he did run the line in the Blackburn versus MK Dons Championship clash at the end of February.
He has also been assistant referee for eight League One matches this season – none involving Sheffield United – although he was involved in the Bradford versus Barnsley Yorkshire derby.
Also read: The inside dressing room story of why Cardiff City imploded in the infamous play-off collapse of 2009
Bell has also officiated at six League Two games, including York v AFC Wimbledon and York v Portsmouth.
At the start of the year, the SheffieldFA.com webstite featured a photo of Bell and congratulated him as a recruit to help out the Sheffield & Hallamshire County FA.
The website read: ‘Sheffield born James, who worked for three years as in the referees department at West Riding County FA said: “I am delighted to be given the opportunity to help drive forward the development of refereeing within the Sheffield & Hallamshire area.
“Refereeing at grassroots level is something I am incredibly passionate about and I am determined to do my upmost to help each and every official within the County to achieve their potential.
“Working at Sheffield & Hallamshire CFA is somewhat of a homecoming for me. We will be aiming to make Sheffield & Hallamshire CFA one of the best places in the country for the development of match officials.”
In 2010, Bell also helped officiate a Football Aid match dubbed as Sheffield Wednesday home versus Sheffield Wednesday away.
Cardiff have to win the match at Hillsborough to take the top six battle into the final weekend.
Peter Whittingham of Cardiff City celebrates with team mates after he scores an injury time penalty to win the matchPeter Whittingham celebrates with team mates after scoring the last-gasp goal which ensured the play-off hopes continue
Sheffield Wednesday currently have a four point gap over the Bluebirds and only need a draw to cement their place in the play-offs and deny Slade’s men.
WalesOnline has contacted the Football League for comment on Bell’s appointment.
Football League appoint a linesman from SHEFFIELD for Cardiff City's play-off crunch with Sheffield Wednesday
Tuesday 26th April 2016
BY PAUL ABBANDONATO
League bosses have chosen James Bell, who comes from the steel city, as assistant referee for Bluebirds' must-win showdown at Hillsborough
Football League bosses have appointed an official from Sheffield for Cardiff City’s huge play-off chasing showdown with Sheffield Wednesday this weekend.
James Bell, who comes from the steel city, will be one of the assistant referees running the line for match-day man in the middle Paul Tierney, who comes from Lancashire.
Bell is one of the rising officials in the game and there is no questioning his integrity or impartiality.
However, the fact that someone from Sheffield itself will have such a key role to play in the Hillsborough clash will raise eyebrows amongst many Bluebirds fans.
The match has been dubbed Cardiff’s ‘cup final’ by manager Russell Slade and is the most significant fixture the Bluebirds have been involved in since a Premier League relegation six-pointer at Sunderland two years ago.
Bell was appointed to the Football League list last May and quickly received congratulatory messages from his local refereeing body, the Sheffield Referees Association.
“Congratulations to James Bell on his appointment to the Football League as an Assistant Referee for next season. Belly we are so proud of you,” read one tweet.
Former top official Keith Hackett, who also comes from Sheffield and has worked as general manager of the Professional Game Match Officials Board, tweeted: “I offer my sincere congratulations to James Bell.”
The young linesman has yet to referee a match at Football League level, but he did run the line in the Blackburn versus MK Dons Championship clash at the end of February.
He has also been assistant referee for eight League One matches this season – none involving Sheffield United – although he was involved in the Bradford versus Barnsley Yorkshire derby.
Also read: The inside dressing room story of why Cardiff City imploded in the infamous play-off collapse of 2009
Bell has also officiated at six League Two games, including York v AFC Wimbledon and York v Portsmouth.
At the start of the year, the SheffieldFA.com webstite featured a photo of Bell and congratulated him as a recruit to help out the Sheffield & Hallamshire County FA.
The website read: ‘Sheffield born James, who worked for three years as in the referees department at West Riding County FA said: “I am delighted to be given the opportunity to help drive forward the development of refereeing within the Sheffield & Hallamshire area.
“Refereeing at grassroots level is something I am incredibly passionate about and I am determined to do my upmost to help each and every official within the County to achieve their potential.
“Working at Sheffield & Hallamshire CFA is somewhat of a homecoming for me. We will be aiming to make Sheffield & Hallamshire CFA one of the best places in the country for the development of match officials.”
In 2010, Bell also helped officiate a Football Aid match dubbed as Sheffield Wednesday home versus Sheffield Wednesday away.
Cardiff have to win the match at Hillsborough to take the top six battle into the final weekend.
Peter Whittingham of Cardiff City celebrates with team mates after he scores an injury time penalty to win the matchPeter Whittingham celebrates with team mates after scoring the last-gasp goal which ensured the play-off hopes continue
Sheffield Wednesday currently have a four point gap over the Bluebirds and only need a draw to cement their place in the play-offs and deny Slade’s men.
WalesOnline has contacted the Football League for comment on Bell’s appointment.
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Re: ' SURELY THIS CANT BE RIGHT? ' APPALLING DECISION FOR CI
Tue Apr 26, 2016 1:49 pm
I dont care how impartial he is thats a ridiculous apointment. He could cause a riot if he swings a vital decision! 
Re: ' SURELY THIS CANT BE RIGHT? ' APPALLING DECISION FOR CI
Tue Apr 26, 2016 1:49 pm
Total nuts decision what if he disallows a city goal? He should step down himself!
Re: ' SURELY THIS CANT BE RIGHT? ' APPALLING DECISION FOR CI
Tue Apr 26, 2016 2:02 pm
Hope he's a Blades fan, on the face of it a disgraceful decision.
Re: ' SURELY THIS CANT BE RIGHT? ' APPALLING DECISION FOR CI
Tue Apr 26, 2016 2:10 pm
Theres every chance he is a sheff utd fan which means we could be onto a winner.
Why is the glass always half empty lads ?
Why is the glass always half empty lads ?
Re: ' SURELY THIS CANT BE RIGHT? ' APPALLING DECISION FOR CI
Tue Apr 26, 2016 2:11 pm
Shocking by the football league! Even if you do assume impartiality, what's the point in risking it when there are plenty of others you can pick from!
Its one of my biggest problems with the organisation of rugby tournaments, clearly football doesn't have it cleared up either
Its one of my biggest problems with the organisation of rugby tournaments, clearly football doesn't have it cleared up either
Re: ' SURELY THIS CANT BE RIGHT? ' APPALLING DECISION FOR CI
Tue Apr 26, 2016 2:16 pm
From Facebook
David Bartlett,
Wasn't one of the Premier League referees removed from a Spurs game was from Leicester ?
Reza Davies,
YES DAVID HE WAS FROM LEICESTER ,THIS CANT BE RIGHT TALK ABOUT CONFLICT OF INTEREST
David Bartlett,
Wasn't one of the Premier League referees removed from a Spurs game was from Leicester ?
Reza Davies,
YES DAVID HE WAS FROM LEICESTER ,THIS CANT BE RIGHT TALK ABOUT CONFLICT OF INTEREST
Re: ' SURELY THIS CANT BE RIGHT? ' APPALLING DECISION FOR CI
Tue Apr 26, 2016 2:16 pm
Even the Wednesday fans don't seem particularly happy with this decision as it could easily work against them instead if he tries to over compensate for being from Sheffield, or if he's a United fan, etc.
Re: ' SURELY THIS CANT BE RIGHT? ' APPALLING DECISION FOR CI
Tue Apr 26, 2016 2:29 pm
moz-dublin wrote:Theres every chance he is a sheff utd fan which means we could be onto a winner.
Why is the glass always half empty lads ?
Yes he disallows a wed goal ! Can see headlines now?
Re: ' SURELY THIS CANT BE RIGHT? ' APPALLING DECISION FOR CI
Tue Apr 26, 2016 2:43 pm
Forever Blue wrote:From Facebook
David Bartlett,
Wasn't one of the Premier League referees removed from a Spurs game as he is from Leicester ?
Reza Davies,
YES DAVID HE WAS FROM LEICESTER ,THIS CANT BE RIGHT TALK ABOUT CONFLICT OF INTEREST
no, he was removed from the game because he is a Leicester fan
Re: ' SURELY THIS CANT BE RIGHT? ' APPALLING DECISION FOR CI
Tue Apr 26, 2016 3:06 pm
moz-dublin wrote:Theres every chance he is a sheff utd fan which means we could be onto a winner.
Why is the glass always half empty lads ?
More likely to be a Man Utd fan
Re: ' SURELY THIS CANT BE RIGHT? ' APPALLING DECISION FOR CI
Tue Apr 26, 2016 3:42 pm
I think the Wednesday fans have more to complain about, particularly as Dai Hunt has been confirmed as the match referee.
Re: ' SURELY THIS CANT BE RIGHT? ' APPALLING DECISION FOR CI
Tue Apr 26, 2016 3:57 pm
Poor decision by the Football League on several levels 
This decision could also be hugely unfair on Mr Bell himself, as he will either be accused of bias in the event of a Sheffield Wednesday win or be vilified by his own townsfolk if they were to lose (and we all know how petty and insular those South Yorkshire folk are)
This decision could also be hugely unfair on Mr Bell himself, as he will either be accused of bias in the event of a Sheffield Wednesday win or be vilified by his own townsfolk if they were to lose (and we all know how petty and insular those South Yorkshire folk are)
Re: ' SURELY THIS CANT BE RIGHT? ' APPALLING DECISION FOR CI
Tue Apr 26, 2016 5:35 pm
The linesman has been stepped down and a new linesman from Worcester has been appointed.
Updated new story viewtopic.php?f=2&t=171960&p=1802889#p1802889
Updated new story viewtopic.php?f=2&t=171960&p=1802889#p1802889
Re: ' SURELY THIS CANT BE RIGHT? ' APPALLING DECISION FOR CI
Tue Apr 26, 2016 7:37 pm
carlccfc wrote:The linesman has been stepped down and a new linesman from Worcester has been appointed.
Updated new
story viewtopic.php?f=2&t=171960&p=1802889#p1802889
..................originally from scumsea
Re: ' SURELY THIS CANT BE RIGHT? ' APPALLING DECISION FOR CI
Wed Apr 27, 2016 2:11 pm
paulh_85 wrote:Forever Blue wrote:From Facebook
David Bartlett,
Wasn't one of the Premier League referees removed from a Spurs game as he is from Leicester ?
Reza Davies,
YES DAVID HE WAS FROM LEICESTER ,THIS CANT BE RIGHT TALK ABOUT CONFLICT OF INTEREST
no, he was removed from the game because he is a Leicester fan
Paulh,
Spurs were going head-to-head with the Foxes in the title race, and the authorities stood Friend down, despite the fact he is actually a Bristol City fan.