The Voice - Match preview #28: Bradford City vs Doncaster Rovers Saturday 31st January 2026 12:30pm

Been waiting for a view from this side

 

The EFL needs to issue a very strong and prompt rebuke IF an iPad from the Donny bench was used to influence the 4th official - if not a very dangerous precedent has been set. That is the key to this episode, i have no problem with the ultimate handball decision as i think it was correct.
Equally important they need to get to grips with the constant surrounding of the referee by a group of players - I thought it was just supposed to be the captain?! Both Donny and Hudders did this in excess against us, not saying we don't but not to the same extent

 

IF and iPad has been used it will be more than rebuke as it is a clear breach of the Laws of the Game.

 

That's crazy if so.

It doesn't even rewind on SkySports Plus so pretty impressed if they managed to fiddle us out of an (albeit probably unfair) goal lol

 

Dave, I was at least 30 yards further back behind the 4th official, in C block Main Stand. I saw the handball as clear as daylight and so did everyone around me, which is why none of us celebrated the goal as we were sure it wouldn’t be given.
So it’s entirely feasible that the 4th official saw the handball in real time, unless his view was obscured by other players.
I don’t know if he was shown a replay. But I do know he was being harangued by the Donny staff for a long time before the ref overturned his original decision to award the goal.

 

Funny all this about the 4th official drama.

How many incidents must there have been in leagues without VAR?
How many blatant penalties, handballs have we seen at VP?

Key question
How many times have you ever seen a 4th official get involved and influence the refs decision?

This has to be a unique incident as not something I’ve ever witnessed before

 

have you never seen a manager sent off for something they have said on the touchline? Or the ref come over and tell the bench to calm down after been called over by the 4th official?

 

As yet I've not read anyone complaining about the verdict of a "hand ball" what they are questioning is how the officials came to the decision, the referee couldn't call it, the linesman couldn't call it, a good job the 4th official made the decision for the referee or we could still be waiting

 

I've not suggested anything else Steve, I'm using the same arguement that was offered to me, "the linesman didn't call it as there might have been players obstructing his view:, you said your elevated so I think you'd get an even better view of the incident than someone at pitch level, we certainly saw the incident clearly in our elevated seats. I actually posted on here "Get in Jackson it took so long for the officials to make the call.
In the end a fantastic volley from Tyreik and got us the win we needed and has hopefully given the lads a lift.

 

The high elevated angle your refer to is a totally different beast to ground level Staff.

 

A player goes down at 25 mins and 75 then watch em scanning over to the dug outs whilst they are being treated. The ref know exactly what’s going on and do absolutely nothing . Bailey did it yesterday after a goalmouth scramble at 0-0 and on replays nobody went near him , not even remotely .

Cramp is cramp, not life threatening so carry on regardless .

 

Bang.

Just one word needed?

 

Can only hope so, but does anyone know just what form any punishment might take? Fine? Points deduction? Banning analytical bods from the dugout?

 

It’s the officials who will face the music if there is to be any followup up.However I doubt there will be.

 

In slow motion the ball hits his chest. His arm was extended but the ball hit his chest and dropped. It looked like it hit his arm but dropped before his arm had chance to control it. It was a clear goal and the ref and linesman got it right before a weak ref was bullied in to changing his mind.

 

Ah, of course. Obvious if I'd stopped to think. And I have to agree with you regarding the likelihood of any disciplinary action, or at least any that we get to hear about

 

I hope it has given Tyreik a lift as we all know that he doesn't do what he can do.

 

Think 2 of the officials will have to justify their actions and could face suspension.

 

which 2?

the ref has been called over by the 4th official who has said he saw a handball. He then disallowed the goal.

not much explaining to do

 

What relevance is this to the on field incident?
That’s predominantly their main job