Last time I checked, nearly 5,000 people had signed a petition saying they did not want Noni Madueke to become a Gunner. Which, of course, is a complete waste of time.
Our billion-pound owners are not going to care about a few thousand signatures on the internet. As long as the Emirates is sold out, there is a waiting list for a season ticket over two decades, and merchandise is flying off the shelf, that is all the Kroenke family will care about.
Which begs the question, though – if you could petition for 10 things to change in football, what would they be?
Stop punishing celebration and protect the game’s integrity
No bookings for celebrations
Football is supposed to be about fun and passion. Fans invest a lot of money in the product. The least they deserve is to see players care about the shirt they are wearing. When a player scores, what is wrong with him or her enjoying the moment? Why the need to suppress how they feel?
I understand a booking if you have something written under your shirt or celebrate in a manner that could provoke the away end, but taking your shirt off? Harmless.
Stop clock
This works in the NBA, so why not football? The official or someone on the sidelines simply pauses the time whenever the ball is out of play. After 90 minutes, the additional time is added on. This would reduce many conspiracy theories, with fans able to see for themselves that the correct period of added time is being applied.
Maybe those in charge do not want to highlight how little the ball is actually in play? We could initially end up with 20-30 minutes of added time. Yet long term, any time wasting would be discouraged if players knew the time was paused.
Ban the cheats
Like many things in the world currently, there is an incredible sense of entitlement. Some fans suggest officials are cheating, yet say nothing when they see players doing the same. You might think a referee is corrupt, but you must have the same moral compass when you know others are manipulating the rules.
We cannot talk about improving standards in the Premier League, then watch a striker dive, a midfielder claim a corner knowing it touched them last, or a defender fake injury and say nothing. Worse, these are the same con artists who then criticise the very officials they are trying to deceive.
I do not trust VAR to issue straight red cards in real time, but why not have a panel of ex-professionals review incidents every Monday? Bans must be lengthy to act as a deterrent. At the moment, when a Havertz thinks about diving, the reward is worth the risk. Consequences need to be introduced.
Ban pre-season tours
Banning FA Cup replays, no extra time in the League Cup, five subs allowed, etc, every year, something changes in the schedule because clubs say they care about player welfare. Yet the same clubs take squads halfway around the world to play friendlies.
A day after the season ended, Manchester United were flying to Asia. Last summer, Spurs and Newcastle played in Australia just days after their campaign finished, despite a Euros and Copa América coming up.
I understand for fans abroad this might be the only chance to see their team live. I am not against clubs travelling, but you cannot then complain about being tired back in the UK.
So I propose this – if you tweak the calendar or competitions, you cannot have your pre-season outside Britain. Sports scientists might talk about climate benefits, but if clubs could make the same money playing locally, they would. Mentally, surely it is better to spend the summer with your family?
Restore competitive integrity and protect supporters
Stop diluting the competition
I struggle with change in general, but something is off when the opening group stages of a tournament make it harder to get knocked out. That includes both club and international football.
Some Gooners were excited by the idea of Arsenal finishing third in the Champions League League Phase. I could not emotionally engage. You would have to be poor not to finish top 24 out of 36 teams. It meant most fixtures had little jeopardy until the last 16.
At the Euros, you can fail in qualifying but still make the play-offs through the Nations League. You can finish third in a group of four and still make the last 16. UEFA want more teams, which means more revenue, but not at the expense of quality.
Simplify VAR
VAR was introduced to support officials. Ironically, criticism has increased. Fans, managers, pundits, and clubs all write statements now. There is more paranoia than when we accepted human error.
I would not scrap VAR entirely, but simplify it. The current issue is inconsistency – in some games the referee is sent to the monitor, in others not, even in identical situations.
Other sports do not have this problem because they use tech consistently. In tennis, was the ball in or out? That is why we rarely have issues with goal-line technology (when it is turned on!).
So let us keep VAR only for offsides. It is black and white, no grey areas.
Price cap
For the tenth year running, the Premier League capped away tickets at £30. But what about a cap for home fixtures, merchandise, and subscriptions?
If government ever regulates the sport, this should be a priority. No one is forced to buy tickets or shirts, but that does not make the pricing okay. Football is passion, entertainment, and escape for many. They will keep paying, but it should not be exploited.
We want football affordable for families. Pricing them out kills the atmosphere at stadiums.
Stop the ballot
For over a decade, I had a yearly direct debit for two memberships giving me access to tickets a month before matches. I would attend around one Premier League game per month, sometimes more if there was a home cup tie.
Touts own multiple memberships. If they pay £55 for Arsenal vs Everton, they resell access for much more. Three seasons ago, when we were top of the league, things got out of hand. Tickets for the final game versus Wolves were bought by touts and resold at ridiculous prices.
To combat this, the club introduced a ballot system. The irony? Now the team I love are competing again, I pay a yearly fee just to be entered into a draw. Back when we struggled, I was travelling from Plymouth, Poole, Wales, etc, to show my support.
Online racism
The UK has an issue where fans think the football bubble means they can behave however they like. Laws have tightened, but social media companies could do more. Facebook and X could require users to verify their name and email. Fewer people would abuse anonymity if they were accountable.
Zero tolerance towards racism
A few times a year, governing bodies post hashtags and slogans saying they stand against racism. But actions speak louder than words.
Football still cannot claim to have zero tolerance. That is why some players refused to stop taking the knee, tired of lip service.
This year alone, fans were pictured outside the Emirates making monkey gestures towards PSG’s coach. In France, a fan was filmed chanting racist abuse.
Zero tolerance means not accepting racism, ever. We must educate the next generation. If you make racist comments or gestures, you should face serious consequences. I am talking decades in prison and your name made public, so your family and employer know who you are.
What would you petition for?
Dan Smith
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“What would you petition for?” – a ban on petitions.
But would you need a petition for that lol
I wouldn’t sign it.
Bertie,
I’m going to sue, it’s not the first time you’ve made my sides hurt with laughter.🤣😂👍
No political message of any kind, including solidarity towards war-torn countries and religious celebrations/ signs
Let’s bring football back to its purest form as the e-sports were two decades ago, which is a pure entertainment without any political and religious agenda
E-sports?
Video game competitions
Crazy money in everything. Salaries, transfer fees, tickets, merchandise, subscriptions etc..
Players now play for money not trophies and that has taken out the soul of the game.
When I started watching football the game felt like it was its own being and its presence could be felt in players, supporters and even the stadiums.
Since capitalism and the money took over it has become to me just like a show. I dont see the passion I used to see before. The players look like they are just doing a job. A football equivalent of 9 to 5.
Not allowing Liverpool fans to post their opinions on Twitter
Independent timekeeper in the stands for timekeeping to take the pressure off the referee, especially after a goal is scored to save the ridiculous sight of a forward and defender grappling for the ball and the forward rushing back and putting the ball on the centre spot. It doesn’t make the other team kick off any quicker anyway as they just amble up to the halfway line.
In Germany and some other European countries, after a match, the Referee gives an interview and explains the reason for some of the decisions he in the game.
I would like to see that happen here and not just the EPL but in the lower leagues as well
1. Goal scoring is a major beauty of the game. I would like to petition for throw-ins to change to kick-ins to increase the opportunities for goalscoring. Eg. A player could kick in a ball from the touchline to goal or to further increase goal threats.
Ban VAR in The prem and take it back to what the ref saw or didn’t see
It works in the.lower leagues without it and the stop wait for the var check b4 celebrating is beyond a joke a time
Manchester United will be title contenders this season with your request.
To get Jon fox back on Just Arsenal 😂
I miss JF.
The abuse he used to hurl at me was quite funny.
I know where you can find him😊
Me too 😉
Already found him
Fairly obvious lol
Do tell. I made a conscious decision to stop posting about Artetaball during the season but I have plenty to get his goat up and I know s/he loves an emoji 🤣
.
I second that. I enjoyed looking out for Jon Fox’s comments and his capitalisation of CERTAIN words and used to find myself checking my grammar in case he pulled me up for missing a full stop lol
To make anyone who writes an article that is false, to publicly apologise and ensure they agree to wait for actual evidence before preaching to others the rights and wrongs of being a football fan in any future article, if they want to be taken seriously.
VAR to be Independant of the PGMOL.
Timekeeping to be Independant of match officials and time to be registered only when the ball is in play.
Referees to explain
controversial decisions after a match, in the same way that managers abd players are.
Players who are red carded for serious foul play to be banned from the game for as long as the player they injured is out.
Fans who are found guilty of any kind of abuse to be named publicly and banned from any professional football grounds for a minimum of ten years.
The PGMOL to be policed by an Independant panel and not in house.
Second DK’s suggestion, the best he’s had for a very long time!! 😂
Ken1945,
I agree regarding the timekeeping to be independent of match officials. In fact I agree with most of you post.
The one part I don’t really want to get involved in is your first sentence. Having read previous posts over time from you, I’m guessing your first sentence is aimed at someone specific.
I have an idea who it is, but I’ll say no more. If I’m wrong I apologize in advance.
He wants racism and physical violence and online abuse not to be mentioned
The irony is ….the person he wants to return
Lets just say Pat showed me certain things and there’s many reasons why he made a choice he did
The fact that someone wants him to return at the same time not wanting racism and online abuse mentioned tells you everything you need to know
I’ll leave it like that lol
I would say you’ve got it wrong. I would say the article Ken is on about is the one you wrote about the CL Final in Paris involving Liverpool.
So what about the other article does he take objection too ?
The PSG coach being met with monkey gestures ?
The arsenal fan racially taunting PSG fans in France ?
Roy Keane bring attacked ?
Threats made online to Xakah?
What has made him angry about any of that ?
Arsenal condemned the racial abuse ?
Why isnt he angry at the club for ‘ preaching ‘
I don’t think saying racism is horrible is preaching do you ?
Like I said, I reckon he’s on about the CL article. If I’m wrong I’m sure Ken will correct me.
Oh I know that
But I simply don’t see the connection
That’s like saying if I see / hear racism at Old Trafford I can’t write about it because of ……the CL Final in France or Hillsborough
Struggling to see the connection
Not going to let that one drop ,already mentioned it twice today alone .
Got another good suggestion for you Ken if you want it .
Then it will be 2 in a very short period of time .
Go ahead DK, but let’s not ruin a good relationship 😂😂
Having JF return would bring some great debates back and you gave him as good as he gave you, if I remember correctly?
I can’t remember who wanted JA not to celebrate black history month, who was it?
I’ll be amazed if it was JF!!
And no he never got the best of me that’s why he didn’t like me
Ken has brought up one issue, but you try bringing in other issues into it.
You say you can’t see the connection. Well there’s an old saying that goes: There’s none so blind that cannot see.
I didn’t bring up the issue
I literally wrote the article lol
So yes I expect comments about the article not a different subject lol
Be like me predicting Arsenal will draw with Man United and then someone saying ……..yeah well ….. Hillsborough lol
Go back to and read your last sentence in the article. “What would you petition for ?”
Ken, imho, gave his answer.
And I got a saying for you mate……
Why would saying racism is terrible make someone blush ?
Still, would that be a saying that you’ve just made up ?
No I got that bit it was the
before preaching to others the rights and wrongs of being a football fan in any future article, if they want to be taken seriously.
Saying racism is bad is preaching ?
Most would just say , yeah that fan was wrong ?
Arsenal condemned it
No mate commonly used when people don’t like racism being called out
Do you know there was once someone who wrote to Pat and campaigned for this site not to celebrate black history month
Pat showed me his / her email and you wouldn’t believe what they wrote
So in that instance me and Pat would say
‘ oh I’m sorry celebration black history month makes you blush ‘ lol
So yeah dude , I will carry on having a zero tolerance towards racism and if people want to bring up other things that won’t stop me
Zero tolerance
Can guess who that was 😂
I remember it well
Still, I see you omitted Ken’s previous words that make up the sentence, which gives credence to Ken’s point !
I have zero tolerance for racism, especially since I suffered from it as a child in the 60’s, but I have never, ever, heard that saying.
Well you heard it today mate
Yeah, one that you made up. Ever thought of having it Patented ?
Nah
Not really Derek – it took the Sun newspaper years to apologise, when, in actual fact, they knew it was a stitch up of Liverpool supporters from the very beginning.
The French FA and government showed what I’m getting at, as they came out with an apology and admitted they got it wrong, after insisting it was nothing to do with them.
It’s all too easy these days to say whatever one wants, knowing there will been no real
comeback.
I could write a book about the mistakes I’ve made, but I’d like to think I have the cojones to admit I was wrong.
I’m pleased you agree with the rest of my post, especially the example where I state that any fan who is found guilt of abuse, should receive the harshest sentence possible…. a view that others seemed to have missed!!
My point in the first paragraph was quite simple, to start calling out others, one needs to admit that they’ve got things wrong themselves,rather than refusing to address the issue, much like the establishment did regarding Hillsborough, while the French didn’t regarding the CL final… simple really!!
I’ll even admit that I got it wrong about your sense of humour, as you do make me smile every now and again 😂👍
So if I see people making monkey gestures or a fan being racist I can’t point that out unless I admit I make a mistake as well ?
I disagree with that completely
Racism is terrible period and I have as much right as anymore to point that out
As I will continue to do so I’m afraid
Don’t be afraid Dan, as I back you up 100%
Just show me the culprits along with the evidence and you’ll have my unconditional support.
I don’t want you to apologise, I want you to want to apologise, especially when your criticising others.
Yes I’m criticising others for racism like most would
Arsenal did as well
So your logic is ………
Arsenal can’t condemn racism because of the Super League ? Lol
Can I ask why do you have a problem all of a sudden with racism being condemned ?
Years ago you asked me , our of interest could I point out to you any vile chanting as you never heard it
So I pointed to the Adeybayore song , the RVP song , the Cole song
And you were like cheers Dan
But now , it’s almost like your saying
Fans are wrong for racism but …….
Or it’s wrong to wish a baby got cancer …although…….
Now if you want to write an article about Hillsborough or the CL Final in France then I’m sure that’s when people will comment
So its like this article ….it’s about 10 things you would change
Some have said VAR……shirt pulling …throw ins
Lots of fun we can have
You have said …….can Dan mention racism because of the CL Final in France and Hillsborough lol ……what ?
Just stick to the topic
Ken1945,
Thank you for your response to my post.
And thanks for your kind words regarding my sense of humour. I knew I’d break you.😂
Just to come back at you, your sense of humour does make me chuckle to on occasion. 👍
preaching to others the rights and wrongs of being a football fan ?
So you agree racism and online abuse and physical abuse shouldn’t be called out ?
No wonder you second DK suggestion lol
Dan, the simple fact is, that your article about the CL final was on line abuse about Liverpool fans who you castigated without a shred of evidence.
You did it again with reference to the spray paint, this time saying it was Arsenal fans.
Your trying very hard to say that I condone racism, violence and every other form of criminal activity at a football ground, but it just won’t wash my friend.
You asked for opinions and I gave you mine, that included what I would like to see happen to any fan who is found guilty of anything that brings our club and football in general into disrepute.
No I didn’t, I agree it might not be Arsenal fans doing vandalism ( unlikely but not impossible)
My point with the CL Final is it’s a separate topic .
It’s literally nothing to do with fans ( whoever they support ) breaking the law
I ( and Pat who showed me certain disgraceful emails off certain peeps ) have a zero tolerance to racism.
So if I say racism is bad there is no ….yeah but Dan you wrote that …or but what about this …
No to any readers past or present racism is wrong
What I wrote in a previous article , what I think , what the sun wrote about Hillsborough does not change that I’m afraid
But you accused the Liverpool fans of breaking the law!!
But tell me what that has to do with saying racism is bad ?
So let’s say I say , nah I don’t regret it or yes I do…….what has that got to do with the article I wrote ?
That’s where I’m lost
Or Hillsborough?
Tragic ? Of course ?
Does it make it okay for monkey gesture , wishing babies get cancer ?
Don’t think we will agree on this lol
And no Ken
Online abuse as a crime is what a fan last year got charged for calling Partey
Or when Xakha child was wished cancer on
That’s online abuse and again so important readers are aware of that lol
So you have no regrets about the article you wrote then Dan?
You have no regrets about what you said regarding Liverpool fans in that article?
You wouldn’t retract any single word of that article, when you accused them of running riot?
What you seem incapable of understanding is, that you abused those fans, simply because you jumped the gun and didn’t wait for the evidence… then when it arrived, you simply ignored it.
My observations regarding what I would like to see change, included, probably, much stiffer penalties for ANY kind of abuse, but only when the facts are presented and proven – it seems you don’t agree with the latter and, even when they are, if it doesn’t suit your views you ignore them.
I have no love for Liverpool, either the club or their fans, but after the lies that they have suffered from the establishment, the media and the pundits, I have great sympathy.
That doesn’t mean I condone racism as you imply and I’m 100% certain that whoever wrote the views that Pat showed you, didn’t come from me, or Jon Fix for that matter did they?!
Why not regurgitate the article in question and ask others if they think it’s on line abuse and whether an apology was required?
Well the fans who abused Partey online got charged didnt they ?
Why have I not been charged ?
That’s how crazy your statement is
It trivializes racism
Again ( and to be fair you know I have always been this way ) I will discuss the article I have written about
So for example , today I have submitted article about Isac so will talk about him , not the CL Final in France or Hillsborough
Dan,
Just to put my two pennies worth in you and Ken1945’s conversation.
Now I’m not taking sides here, I want to be clear on that. I respect both your views on this forum.
But being fairly new to this forum, I’ve noticed over time Ken1945, alluding to an article you did on the CL Final in France regarding Liverpool fans. I haven’t read your piece on that subject.
But hearing you say, but that’s a different topic to the one your currently writing I can get to a certain degree.
But at the risk of upsetting you, which is not my intention by the way.
Do you retract anything you wrote in that piece regarding the Liverpool fans, now that the French Authority’s have excepted the whole blame for the fiasco.
I’m genuinely interested to your answer, and if you do give an answer Ken1945, may just stop bringing the subject up.
But again as I said earlier, my intention is not to upset you or Ken1945. I enjoy reading your said posts, and your toing and throwing at each other. It can be both enlightening and entertaining. 👍
I think we’d all like closure on this subject Derek. I read the article – easy to find via google – last night for the first time and I’ve no doubt in my mind that a simple apology months and months ago would have brought that about. Most JA regulars and plenty of enraged Liverpool supporters were unimpressed as shown in their responses.
Where racism fitted into the narrative I cannot fathom
SueP,
As I said in my post I’m not taking sides or trying to offend, I’m just genuinely interested as to see if Dan would retract what he said.
It would help if one he answered it, or just come out and say he doesn’t want to comment on said article. At least then we would know one way or the other.
But I’m hoping he answer’s the question though. Fingers crossed.🤞
SueP,
I’ve just read the article and a lot of the responding posts. WOW!. Is all I can say.🤷♂️
Where peoples argument falls down
Is your desperate for me to apologise yet in the next breath want people to return to the site who have not apologized for fun and banter
So that tells me it’s who says what and the same few people trying to trip people up
I won’t be commenting anymore unless it’s relevant to the article
For anyone interested in why I keep referring to Dan’s article and ask why he diesnt issue a simple apology, please go to Google and ask for this from the 30/5/2022 at 9.45.
Title :
“Liverpool fans embarrass England once again in Paris ”
You’ll be able to read all the comments and know that, once the facts were known, the French FA and government apologised to both Liverpool and Real Madrid.
I’ll leave it up to each of you to decide if jumping the gun without the evidence is a foolish thing to do.
Ken, I did jump the gun in the article you’re referring to, as I was going on my experience of the French police in Paris in ’95 and ’06. I’m pretty sure when you wrote an article about the truth of what happened, I admitted that I was wrong.
HD, it was interesting to read what was being said and how many Liverpool fans responded as well.
I have nothing against Dan and I think he does a great job for JustArsenal, but the fact that he never actually apologised and then repeated the same mistake of judging fans before the facts are known in two more incidents involving fans of our club, got me going!!
Along with the fact that he , somehow, thought I was condoning abusive behaviour.
Now, if it is proven that these sickos are actual Arsenal fans, then I hope their named and shamed.
We all make mistakes.
My personal frustration concerns the wrestling and blatant shirt pulling which goes on ,largely unpunished by referees, at corner kicks.The blocking of Goalkeepers is another element of this problem which could be largely resolved by a simple change to the rules, whereby opposition players are precluded from entering the 6 yard box, until the ball is actually kicked from the corner flag.In the word of a well known Meercat, “simples”
Mine is a bit way out there but I would sign a petition to stop Sky Sports and BT sports having sole access to the TV rights to the Premier league. I think the clubs should be able to sell and stream their own games considering the ballot system at the Emirates is atrocious and it is near impossible to get a couple of tickets if you are not in the know.
Arsenal TV season ticket and I would pay for that.
Good shout
Captains of each side get two challenges to refereeing decisions per match to reduce the influence of var on games.It works in Cricket.
No subs after 85 minutes to stop time wasting tactics by managers.
Var deliberations made audlble to the crowd and TV audience.
An Independent visible time clock that is stopped for injuries etc.
Game stops on 90mins when the ball goes out of play.
The premier league should implement ideas from other sports on how to make Video technology decisions transparent.
Give the fans a good degree of control or change ownership structure of clubs in the Epl and ban all middle east countries pumping national resources into football
Offside rule to be discarded. I hate it when defenders run away from defending.
Offside is part of defending.
I would prefer to see the idea that Wenger has come up with, that there has to be clear daylight between the two players for a player to be given offside.
Agree with gotanidea, scrap all political messaging, it’s divisive and has nothing to do with football, for 90 minutes people want to forget the problems in the world and enjoy the football.
Rodrygo is far more better option than madueke who can argue with me
Jestliže jsou hráči trestáni za prohřešky, je jim pozastavena činnost na několik zápasů, tak by měli být trestáni i rozhodčí za své nepovedené výkony. Pokud budou chráněni tak, jak doposud, budou stále se množit spekulace o jejich objektivitě nebo spíše o jejich zaujatosti proti konkrétním týmům….
I agree. Referees should be held accountable for their bad decisions.
Players rolling on the ground and acting like they were shot in an attempt to get the opposition player in trouble. (Cucurrella in the CWC) for instance.
Goal keepers collecting a simple ball and falling to the ground to waste time. These two instances make my blood boil whether effected by our own players or the opposition.
Police say 18 percent rise in disorder last season
Hate crime, reported at 420 matches last season, was the most common incident while 287 were related to race, 140 to sexual orientation, 20 to religion, 19 to disability and three to gender identity.
So yeah we need to cover it peeps
I’ve read on the BBC Website that Arsenal have been banned from European competition for 10 years for match fixing.
But don’t worry fellow Gooner’s, this is the Montenegrin Arsenal Tivat.
PHEW! that’s a relief. 🤣😂👍
Doping examination must be intense rigorous pre, during and post match. I feel there are free riders in there in the EPL. EPL is weak in that respect. If nothing detected it means the offenders didn’t fail the system is. Teams might be winning trophies due to doping. Rio and the Chelsea Ukrainian case is the tip of the iceberg.
Like players and coaches, refs should be obliged to give pressers before and after the matches they officiated. This helps to promote transparency and accountability. Reduces refs biases.
I would petition for nuking Manchester, Tottnumb and Chelsea. The whole city/boroughs. All of them and their monkey inhabitants.
Kind of proved my point about online cowards mate
While the same 3 or 4 people will defend you ( probably mention Hillsborough or the CL Final?)
Let me educate you
You wouldn’t have the gumption to go to London or Manchester and say that
We can’t help the likes of you but for younger readers that’s why I call it out and have zero tolerance
Because this isn’t normal
i will petition for a replacement for a player who receives a 2nd yellow card, that de facto turns into a red card. its unfair to play with a less player unless the player in question makes a terrible foul deserving a straight red card. The same would apply for a last defender straight red card. play with numeric inferiority destroys unfairly the balance and the spectacle of the match/football match. Unless a terrible, dangerous play, a red card would not apply or instruct a replacement of the booked player