The Beautiful Game: No conspiracy in non-call against Reds

Brits love conspiracy theories, so last week made for interesting times.

It wasn't exactly JFK territory, rather something that happened in Arsenal's enthralling 1-1 tie with Liverpool in the first leg of their Champions League quarterfinal in London.

In the second half, Arsenal's tricky midfielder, Alexander Hleb, performed a Houdini act to get into the box, and once there, went down under a challenge from hardworking Dutchman Dirk Kuyt. Everyone in the stadium, including the Liverpool players, judging by the look on their faces (check out Jamie Carragher's reaction), knew it was a spot kick. Except, that is, for the referee.

Now it just so happens that one Pieter Vink is Dutch, hails from a place five miles from Kuyt's hometown, and officiated a number of Kuyt's games when he played in the Netherlands. Hmm.

"It's ridiculous to say I made the decision because I'm Dutch," Vink insisted. "There are many nationalities playing in every team nowadays -- Spanish, French, Italians, Brazilians -- and it's not an issue. It's a completely ludicrous suggestion."

Agreed.

Still, Vink choked the biggest call of the game, which was a shame, considering he was otherwise stellar. He was unfussy and let the game go.

That made it three consecutive matches in Europe where the Reds have been on the receiving end of some generous calls. Remember that Marco Materazzi was ridiculously sent off when Liverpool met Inter in the first leg of their clash in the round of 16, and Nicolas Burdisso was harshly shown a red in the second leg.

Oh, guess what happened Tuesday night in the second leg against the Gunners?

Liverpool got a contentious penalty in the last five minutes, converted it, and advanced.

HAHNEMANN'S HAND: Former Seattle Sounder Marcus Hahnemann figures he can make a few extra bucks after he undergoes hand surgery.

The Reading keeper broke his right hand on the final day of last season and had to have a few screws inserted, though he's still not 100 percent. He's going under the knife when the season ends to fix the malaise once and for all.

"I think I'll take them to a hardware store or something -- because titanium screws are expensive," Hahnemann said.

All things considered -- including playing behind a leaky defense -- it hasn't been a bad season for the 35-year-old. And at least he'll be in the Premier League come August.

If he sticks with Fulham, Lacey's Kasey Keller will most likely be playing in the second-tier Championship. The Cottagers, armed with a defense that would make Reading's look rock solid, at least recently, are six points adrift of the final safety spot in the division with only five matches remaining. Sunderland's third goal in a 3-1 win at Fulham on Saturday was as comical as you'll witness.

DRONING DROGBA: Didier Drogba, just leave Chelsea already.

Drogba, probably the best two-way forward in the world, has said more than once this season he'd quit southwest London at the end of the season, only to take it quickly back. Now, it seems, his teammates want him out.

According to the News of the World, Britain's best-selling Sunday tabloid, the Ivory Coast international -- also one of the best divers around -- clashed with Germany captain Michael Ballack before a vital win over Arsenal last month and has also had bustups recently with two of the more mild mannered Blues, French midfielder Claude Makelele and Czech keeper Petr Cech.

It's no secret Drogba was tight with Jose Mourinho, who left Chelsea in September, so expect him to join the Portuguese next campaign at whatever club he's managing, probably Inter Milan.

His departure would see many a Premier League defender rejoice. too.

CROWING CASSANO: You want humble? Steer clear of Antonio Cassano.

Sure the Italian is a genius on the ball, but he's also far too inconsistent, has a hard time getting along with teammates and coaches, and isn't averse to clashing with referees. He's just back from a five-game suspension for throwing his jersey at one of them.

Anyways, he couldn't help lavishing praise on himself after his Sampdoria beat Livorno 2-0 in Serie A on Sunday.

"Do I feel second to Cristiano Ronaldo or Kaka? I have said it plenty of times, I am not second to anyone," Cassano boasted.

Cassano was a flop at Real Madrid, so it's little surprise he doesn't want to return when his loan deal at Sampa expires at the end of the season.

REELING THEM IN: If you're a lower-division club in Scotland and based in or around Glasgow, the stronghold of domestic giants Rangers and Celtic, it can be hard to attract fans. Albion Rovers, in the bottom half of the fourth division, came up with a novel idea to get more to show up.

All Polish nationals were allowed to attend a recent game against Dumbarton free.

In the past few years, more and more Poles have emigrated to the U.K.

"The Poles in the area won't, we hope, have an affinity to any other club, which is more than can be said for the folk born and bred here," said Rovers director Pat Rolink. "So why shouldn't they support us? We've been trying all season to get more people in the community interested in Albion Rovers, but Old Firm fans are not for changing."

Note to Rolink: One of Celtic's most popular players, keeper Artur Boruc, is Polish.