So, about this whole ref bias thing.....
I wish it would go away, but there's little chance of that happening. I can see both sides. On one hand, I've seen Chelsea get jipped on countless occasions this year, mainly penalty non-calls. I understand why Mourinho, or any manager, would feel slighted. Yes, it happens to all teams at times, and that is surely what JM needs to accept. But, it has happened a lot to Chelsea this year.
On the other hand, the Blues have a lot of European players, quick, skilled and shifty. They get fouled a lot, but have this habit of stopping, or falling over, when they feel they've been fouled. I've seen this type of play from Barca and RM quite a bit over the years. I think the average fan of English football is easily frustrated by this habit, myself included. The ref is naturally swayed by this behavior, often calling things he might have let be, and conversely at times not calling fouls because he is sick of the ploy. On top of that, you have Mourinho, who seems to invite controversy every time he opens his mouth. I read his comments, and much of what he claims is dead on, yet he never misses a chance to twist the knife, and he now is treated with suspicion by almost every neutral in the game. I didn't get a full look at that scuffle after Barry got his second yellow. I saw Ivanovic kind of horse collar McCarthy, but I really wouldn't describe what followed as a head butt. I could see that deserving of a yellow, but I don't think it was given. I've read some reviews, all suggesting he'll likely get a 3 match ban for that, and it seems harsh. I'll stop short of calling it a "campaign" against Chelsea, but I do think the fact that Ivanovic plays for Chelsea will factor in to the decision.
You have to take the good with the bad when it comes to Jose, but it would be nice if he could find a way to de-escalate the situation.
And I would like to see a bit less of the simulation that occurs when selling a foul, and that goes for everyone, okay?
