The Official Soccer/Football/Futbol/Calcio thread

[Jason]

Originally Posted by theycallmedan'lboone

no gerrard dove, fell, slipped on a nanner peel... but I honestly can say thats the first time I've seen someone carded for diving in the EPL. ever.

Gerrard's just got lucky I guess.

Originally Posted by theycallmedan'lboone

I'm not sure how you can say Gerrard should have been sent off, nor alonso.

Yellow for diving and a red for hammering the ball into Bosingwa's jiggly bits from a foot away after the whistle had gone.

Alonso had the yellow for the studs-up straight-in and there was another obvious yello that should have been given him, I recall thinking it at the time but can't recall exactly what it was. I was glad to see him remain however, he's an outstanding player and a gentleman.

Originally Posted by pnoon

I am in the minority when I agree with the Lampard send off. Lampard did come in with studs up just above the ankle. Easy to break someone's leg and possibly end a career. I think officials need to crack down harder on this sort of play.

Originally Posted by theycallmedan'lboone

Alonso did hit Lampards foot, but lumps was playing in a dangerous manner.. (studs high) worse case scenario a yellow for both.

As I understand the Laws of the Game there is only intent-to-injure or violent-conduct that are taken into account to determine if a red card is warranted in these types of situations?

As I understand the unwritten rules that refs seem to go by traditionally in the BPL, lately anyhow, it tends to change, there is consideration given to (1) studs-up (pointing at the opposition), (2) straightness of body and line behind the tackle (momentum and weight for max payload) and the (3) height of the challenge (on the opponent's body).

Laws-wise I don't think Lampard or Alonso should have been tossed, they were both honest attempts at the ball. Unwritten rules-wise I think Alonso's was the more violent of the 2 due to the fact the he landed studs into the metatarsals with the straight locked body and angle of challenge behind it delivering large payload (I was suprised to see the Chelsea boy get up and continue). Lampard on the other hand was a sweeping motion (no locked straight body, knee was flexing) and his studs were not pointed at the opposing player. He was however higher than Alonso in the challenge but that's where the ball was, and he got it clean. Alonso actually swung at the ball, missed, and made the contact with Lampard! Rough justice. I'd have a hard time giving Lampard a yellow for that much less a red. To be honest however, it looked nasty in real time and I don't blame the ref too much, his angle on the incident made it look even worse.

Originally Posted by pnoon

Can someone clue me in on the Boswinga incident? I don't recall what you are referring to.

Last few minutes Yossi took it to the corner flag to kill the clock and Bosingwa stuck his studs in the small of his back, pushing him out of bounds and the ball with him. Throw in to Chelsea Wasn't a kick to do damage but it was definitely a red card beyond a shadow of a doubt.