United's Chris Smalling pulls Chelsea's Branislav Ivanovic to the ground in the Manchester United penalty area. The ref did not award a penalty spot kick. Photo: EPA United's Chris Smalling pulls Chelsea's Branislav Ivanovic to the ground in the Manchester United penalty area. The ref did not award a penalty spot kick. Photo: EPA
United's Chris Smalling pulls Chelsea's Branislav Ivanovic to the ground in the Manchester United penalty area. The ref did not award a penalty spot kick. Photo: EPA
William Lai
Opinion

Opinion

The Rational Ref by William Lai

Rational Ref: Culture of cheating means no honesty

Players, coaches and supporters always want justice when they are victims, but if they are guilty looking the other way is common

William Lai
William Lai

Updated: 2:54pm, 20 Jul, 2018

Why you can trust SCMP
United's Chris Smalling pulls Chelsea's Branislav Ivanovic to the ground in the Manchester United penalty area. The ref did not award a penalty spot kick. Photo: EPA United's Chris Smalling pulls Chelsea's Branislav Ivanovic to the ground in the Manchester United penalty area. The ref did not award a penalty spot kick. Photo: EPA
United's Chris Smalling pulls Chelsea's Branislav Ivanovic to the ground in the Manchester United penalty area. The ref did not award a penalty spot kick. Photo: EPA
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William Lai

William Lai

William Lai is a qualified soccer referee, instructor and assessor, and has also officiated in England and Australia. As an educator, scientist and social scientist, he is also interested in human behaviour which is why his column offers an alternative and rational commentary of what happens on and off the pitch.