Psychologist: Refs favor the home team

[Jimgolf]

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.