Psychologist: Refs favor the home team
 

OK, it's a soccer study in England, but they're interpolating this to be applicable to all sports.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17935260/

Good statistics, but bad science.

Example: "More significant, away teams received more penalties, suggesting referees make calls in favor of the home team, possibly as a result of the influence of the crowd, Boyko and colleagues speculate. A separate study last year reached the same conclusion."

The previous statement showed that away teams score less. Wouldn't teams that are behind be more likely to commit infractions?

The thing about Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson was that they could look at the same information, but Watson would be clueless, while Holmes always solved the case.

This Ryan Boyko seems to be another Dr. Watson.

How about correlation does not imply causation?

I'll withold any other judgement until I read the actual study.

Teams play better at home because of the crowd support and familiarity with the facility. When teams play better, they induce more calls because the other team can't keep up. Very simple. It has nothing to do with officiating.

There are a ton of variables that aren't being considered, such as how a team plays in front of its own fans as opposed to being in frong of "hostile" fans.

This study is nothing but a crock of horse manure; actually horse manure is worth infinitely more than this report. I can remember how many times each year the home team's accuses my of homering him on his own home court or diamond. I just love it when they boo.

MTD, Sr.

On 2-3 occasions over the past couple years I've had visiting mainland HS teams imply that the local Hawaiian HS teams get home cooking. I love telling them "Not by me...I'm from Tennessee." They never say another word. :)

I never homer a team. I might bart or lisa them, however. :D

Just don't violate their dribblers.

Couldn't have said it better myself, Snax!!

We're talking about European soccer here. Have you seen video of those idiots? Hell yes I'd help the home team. I want to get out of their with all my limbs attached and I'd like to get through the game without a brick thrown at my head.:D

Can I violate their Dieblers? :eek:

You can try, but I don't think Sir Diebler would let you get to first base.

I hear that Diebler doesn't sleep -- he waits.

also he doesn't do push ups -- he just pushes the earth.

all thanks to chuck norris of course who allows us to live our paltry lives.

I heard that one time Diebler's team was losing late in the game but he flew around the Earth against it's rotation forcing it to spin backwards and reverse time. He then entered the game (he was late because he was out saving Lois - that's why they were losing) and scored 400 points in the final minute to win.

Man - I would have loved to have been working that game. ;)

So here's a rules question:

A1 is in the back court for 9 seconds when time begins reversing. Should the official continue his count to 10 and call a 10 second violation or should he start counting backwards?