- Aug 16, 2003
- 8,274
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For a while I have been thinking about the fact that ballboys are from the home team and what an advantage that can cause at time is not fair. And when a ballboy become a hero in CL semi-final because he "tricked" the opposing team it's time to look at the role those ballboys plays.
I would suggest that in the CL and EPL - and other main leagues - the ballboys should be neutral. Yes, it will cost a bit extra and one can never guarantee they're totally unbiased but home teams do have an unfair advantage due to the ballboys being drilled into how to help their home team.
https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football/9051471/mourinho-man-utd-ballboys-barcelona/
Mourinho told RT: "You want a quick throw in, the ball boys need to know you want a quick throw in.
"The ball must arrive fast. I had a club where the club never understood how important the ball boys are.
"Even if you are winning, that speed is important. The goal kicks, the tempo of the game, the ball boys, in a good structure, can also play a part.
"People don’t know that a real football club, every detail is very, very important. In this game, the kid, very intelligent, very bright.
"I don’t know if he’s an academy player or not, but the kid knew what he was going to do."
I would suggest that in the CL and EPL - and other main leagues - the ballboys should be neutral. Yes, it will cost a bit extra and one can never guarantee they're totally unbiased but home teams do have an unfair advantage due to the ballboys being drilled into how to help their home team.
https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football/9051471/mourinho-man-utd-ballboys-barcelona/
Mourinho told RT: "You want a quick throw in, the ball boys need to know you want a quick throw in.
"The ball must arrive fast. I had a club where the club never understood how important the ball boys are.
"Even if you are winning, that speed is important. The goal kicks, the tempo of the game, the ball boys, in a good structure, can also play a part.
"People don’t know that a real football club, every detail is very, very important. In this game, the kid, very intelligent, very bright.
"I don’t know if he’s an academy player or not, but the kid knew what he was going to do."