Fa Statement

[The Poker King]

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."

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

Nistlerooy be booked for diving. Can you imagine? That would just

never do. No no no. Shocking, just the thought of it."

[Black&Gold]

nominations for the least funniest post of 2005 -

entry one in after 11 days of the year

However the jealousy of uniteds sucsess is funny

[bluetooner]

I think it was very funny actually. If it was said about the OF youd be laughing. (well Celtic since we all know you Man U supporting Berwick fans all wanna support Rangers just chose the wrong one

[Black&Gold]

I think it was very funny actually. If it was said about the OF youd be laughing. (well Celtic since we all know you Man U supporting Berwick fans all wanna support Rangers just chose the wrong one

Got better things to worry bout than the OF mate, couldnt care less bout them.

as for choosing the 'wrong one'

[Guest Eric Tait Spurts]

That might have been marginally funny if you'd have posted it last week when it first surfaced on the net.... BTW, they're not called the OLD Firm for nothing.

[Guest Andyg121]

Does anybody ahve the pic with the bendy line with Carrol parrying the ball. if they do can they post here

[BerwickMad]

You mistake us for a Scottish town Bluetooner mate. Nobody down these parts support the Old Firm or even care about them.

[Reina]

First time I've seen that. Class!