THE WRONG PREMIER LEAGUE INNOVATIONS

WHEN WILL RICHARD MASTERS GET SERIOUS ABOUT PGMOL?

Not a lot brewing this weekend, my friends, but I will dig deep and find a way to give you some value for your attention.

The Premier League has looked at the falling ratings and taken decisive action to try and stem the flow…

• Halftime interviews with players/managers
• Interviews with players who get subbed off
• Dressing room broadcasts

You gotta salute it. I’ve been GAGGING to see players in the dressing room at halftime. Need some flipped tables and some flying boots. The added drama at halftime will ensure I pass on a fresh beer and just wet my pants on the couch.

Jokes aside, I find this sort of innovation a bit unnecessary. It’s a new way for Arsenal to get into trouble with overly emotional mid-match histrionics, and I’m not sure it adds much to the sporting drama of the game. It’s a layer of reality TV in a sport that already has enough drama baked into how they do analysis.

I also HATE the dressing room bit. Players should have space to be themselves. Coaches shouldn’t have to worry they’ll be perceived as playing up to the cameras. And no professional athlete should fear that a dressing down from a coach becomes the viral moment of the game.

I have dealt with players and dressing room cameras — they live off their reputations as much as you and me. They don’t want to get caught up in an off-the-cuff scandal. The point of those dressing room cameras is also very clear… they’re supposed to blend into the background so players forget, and the drama unfolds.

When there’s an All or Nothing documentary crew in town, players are coached about what’s happening, and most clubs get assurances from the production crew that the club will have final say on what gets aired. That’s why you rarely get something career-limiting in those shows. You get just enough action to understand the gist, but never the full reality of what happens.

I have serious doubts about how managers like Arteta, Slot, and Guardiola are going to feel about having their tactics boards live on Sky — or having private moments blasted around the world. So we’ll see how this is implemented, if it actually moves forward.

But let’s get to the core here… what are we doing?

The biggest improvement to the Premier League this summer should, without doubt, be a complete overhaul of PGMOL.

They weren’t solely responsible for Arsenal losing the Premier League title, but they were completely responsible for making a tight title race far looser and less interesting because of their despicable actions against Arsenal earlier in the season.

I don’t want to be sticking my neck out for Aston Villa here, but PGMOL obliterated their campaign with a disgusting decision that was brushed under the rug at the end of the season. That decision will have consequences for their summer budgets, contracts of players, maybe even how they staff next season — all because of refereeing ineptitude that has been the hero in too many Premier League games.

Where is the independent review?
Where are the firings for those that fell below the standards?
Where are the reforms?
Why has no one been held accountable?

Arsenal are going to be in the same position next season if things don’t change. I really hope Tim Lewis is working the system to get Arsenal a fairer season, because it is absolutely clear we are treated differently by a group of refs that have conflicts of interest — and at least one disgraceful scandal that blew up, which they knew about for years.

Halftime interviews feel like bragging about opening a new Starbucks as Rome burns.

We need to keep the focus on things that’ll genuinely thrill Premier League fans… a league that is perceived as fairer, officiated by better referees and VARs.

Ok, that’s me done. See you tomorrow. xxx

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