Quote Originally Posted by Fancydan View Post
Also think the ‘big players’ get decisions that others don’t. Hazard got a free kick today for an apparent foul that I’m sure no other player on the pitch would have got! I think the referees get a bit star struck.
Not true. Players like Hazard get free kicks because they have the ability to put themselves in situations where they may get fouled. He's creative, runs at players and defenders find it difficult to get the ball from him, he puts himself in that position many times during a game, he is more likely to get fouled or give the impression he is being fouled. Can you imagine a defender who likes to go to ground alot when tackling, it's a dangerous game to play and at some point he'll get done because he's putting himself at risk by giving the impression that he is fouling. It's not about the officials being star struck, it's about good players being clever, there's a big difference.