In the very limited amount of Europa League football I've seen this season, I still can't work out what the point of the two extra officials is. They stand behind each goal-line, looking thoroughly bored, and having absolutely no impact on the game whatsoever. It occurred to me, whilst watching Liverpool v Lille last night, that I'd seen the use of two extra officials before. This is how the conversation would've gone last night, between Liverpool goalkeeper José Reina and the official stood behind the goal:
Official: Alright 'keeper, what's the score mate?
Reina: 2-0 to us.
Official: Ahh right, who are you?
Reina: The Reds are Liverpool, the Whites are Lille.
Official: Oh right. You having a good season?
Reina: Yeah not ba- CLEAR IT JAMIE! Sorry about that. Yeah, we're doing OK thanks, couple of lads working today though, we're not quite full strength.
Official: I'll let you get on. C'mon Triggs!
Of course! It's the typical man-behind-the-goal on a Sunday morning! 5th and 6th officials have been working on parks up and down the country for years, and UEFA have only just realised it! Perhaps the official should have a dog to walk behind the goal and a flat cap, then the image would be complete. It might keep the poor guys warm if nothing else. Being a referee, it's hard enough to persuade two people to run the line on a nice day in April, let alone getting two more people to stand behind the goal for Spartak Moscow v Dinamo Kiev in mid-February.
So on that basis, I hope that UEFA see sense, and knock this whole idea on the head, before the officials behind the goal get blamed for talking to the 'keeper when he should have been clearing a backpass...
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