I've often wondered if there was a way to detect bias in officiating. Naturally there's going to be subjective element to the types of penalties called, but I a

I've often wondered if there was a way to detect bias in officiating. Naturally there's going to be subjective element to the types of penalties called, but I also have wondered if there was a way to detect bias in the situations in which penalties are called and how they affect the probability of victory. Additionally, with the whole Tim Donaghy [0] NBA thing, I have always been curious if there was a way to detect referee influence on the outcomes of games based on the line. There certainly times when Vegas loses (a few weeks ago was particularly bad for them), but it would be interesting to see if there was a way to detect probabilities of officials, coaches, or even players deciding the outcome of matches beyond the course of the endeavor. But really, it'd be fun to have statistical backing to confirm or refute the whole "College Football has a pro-East Coast bias" or "this referee always gives fouls to the European soccer sides", or "the Patriots _always_ get those calls because ... Tom Brady." [0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2007_NBA_betting_scandal https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2007_NBA_betting_scandal