Parliament Takes on Those 'Appalling' Refs

LONDON (Reuters) - A British member of parliament is calling on his fellow lawmakers to denounce England's soccer referees as "appalling," claiming an "incompetent" official cost his local team possible promotion to the coveted premier league.

Gerry Steinberg, MP for Durham in northern England, put down a motion to the House of Commons on Wednesday attacking referees after his side Sunderland lost out to Crystal Palace in a first division play-off semi-final on Monday.

Palace won on penalties after drawing level in the tie's second leg with a controversial last-minute equalizer.

Echoing the moans of many supporters, Steinberg's motion read: "This House... believes that the standard of English refereeing is appalling as seen every week in football grounds and on television where inconsistent and wrong decision are made by incompetent...referees."

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=573&ncid=757&e=7&u=/nm/20040519/od_nm/referees_dc

I guess he lives in Sunderland. I guess this is better than running on the field and beating the piss out of the ref. Ahh, the good old days.

eom