As the World Cup grinds on with all of its skill and talent on show, with surprises around every corner, I am wondering if the punishment represents the crimes we see on the pitch. It isn’t fair is it?
The Ghana team demanding money should have, in my opinion been good enough to pull the plug on the team. Not by FIFA but by the Ghanian government who were blackmailed. There wasn’t any consequence to their actions. But I suppose it’s to be expected from a group of players wanting as much as they can get.
The real disparities are plays like Neymar getting kneed in the back which as bad as it was resulted in a light penalty. Basically an outing for Zuniga. The rough play against this man in previous games had resulted in him playing with nagging injuries. He was targeted for rough play no doubt about it and now he can’t continue.
In a previous game we saw Suarez bite an opponent. A habit he has shown to the world twice before. None of these bites caused his opponent to miss a game.
The best players are targeted. We all know that and yellow and red cards get shown due to play against them. But rarely do we see a suspension from this type of play. With no real penalty given out it has become the norm to harass these players unfairly.
I’m not condoning biting any more than I condone unfair play but shouldn’t the penalty be equal to the damage done? Was Suarez’ penalty and suspension due to the social mores of our civilization? More than the damage done to the opponent? Something needs to be done to restore a more fair way of punishment.
There is too much leeway in the way referees conduct a game. It’s as if they run a game to their liking. Not the rules that have been set up. There are too many areas of the pitch for a referee to see all the infractions that go on. There are too many players taking advantage of blind spots. Too many infractions that have become fringe infractions. Too much diving!
Is it fair for club play and international play to be intertwined with the penalties and suspensions that are handed out? For players to have two managers? For one manager to have a say in the behaviour of a player that is a detriment to the other and more so the other team and consequently the fans? For a red card to travel to other competitions?
Is it possible for the yellow and red card system to be used unfairly? To give other teams a leg up in the standings? There are enough infractions seen to not think that manipulation of the rules is also used for advancement.
Chin up lad, lets hope your fractured back heals OK. Nasty bite there. Lets hope it’s OK tomorrow. Which infraction is worse?
The Author
Ian
I'm an Aston Villa fan who lives in Magna Bay BC CanadaComments 59
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Great post Ian, agree with everything you say, whatever happened to the rules ? either you play to them or your off, not on the whim of some idiot who has never kicked a ball in their life.
Happy birthday Frem, don’t eat all your sweets in one go.
Right, Steamers track of the day in honour of Ian Gibson, a Canadian band –
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lvdQEQc4GMw
Ian, you have put before us an interesting perspective but one (I would say) that relates to a much greater spectrum: the world at large and people’s attitudes in general.
When something goes awry in sport or society, the question is inevitably what law or rule needs to be made or adjusted to cope with the infringement. The question rarely is: “What do we do to change ourselves?” Yet it’s that i.m.o. that is the first and most important issue. If each person were to seriously ask questions of himself (before infringing the rules (in sport or society :
1. Will I be causing harm to someone else by my actions.
2. Will I be causing harm to myself by my actions.
… and make corrections accordingly, then there would be far less need to think of extending the punishment system.
As in the days of Sirs Matthews and Finney (I know, here I go again!) there needs to be self-control applied to any situation. It may seem the harder course to take … but it’s the only one that really works. Each person in whatever line of work or play needs to be their own policeman/referee. We should actively seek to determine ways by which this may be achieved and examples set by those who carry responsibility.
excellent piece Ian, and brings out all sorts of arguments, which include the immediate reactions of horror from pundits, press and fellow players, to which the authorities react.
Perhaps if these matters were properly covered by the laws of the game with fixed penalties for the acts of aggression, professional fouls, there would be a more fair system, rather than the hotchpotch we have now.
It does have to be taken in to account that there have been three public biting incidents that we know of, and ALL carried out by the same player.
I do agree that the fouls that injure a player should be looked at with greater depth.
Randy has now made a statement which clarifies the club situation, and the guy has said that now is the time to concentrate on the team and the football, but as soon as there is a definitive sale in place he will make a further statement.
Happy Birthday once again Frem, if you missed last night’s.
Roy Keane’s involvement in Ashley Young’s return to Villa seems to be confirmed. maybe more will follow now.
PP,
I do agree with you but its ironic that one of the most infamous examples of blatant thuggery came from our newly appointed AM. Disgusting assault and even worse taunting, then writes an incredibly blase account in his autobiography about the incident. All the evidence you want for a clear conviction and jail sentence, what happened ? not even interviewed by the police, same with Cantona, Alan Shearer kicks Lennon in the head, threatens to withdraw from the WC and escapes, are these not criminal acts anymore ? if i walked down New Street and booted someone in the goolies i’d be arrested, why not these tossers ?
Whats Lerner have to say now Paul ?
Got it, i would think it’s more a non-statement, no better than a blank page, nothings changed at all, still one foot in the grave.
Sounds like he’s just seen the ST sales.
Steamer,
Yes, I agree. Little said, little done by the looks of it. Not that something is not brewing sales-wise, but we could be a long way from its completion.
That statement tells you absolute jackshit except he is having the manager committed and not before time I hear you all yell, quick start the car lets get to VP while there are still some season tickets left they will go like hotcakes after that revelation from Lerner, his father Al must be spinning in his grave thinking I left all my money to this clown, and we thought Blackburn got a rough deal with the Venkys.
AVFC RIP.
A short but interesting leader Ian.
Let`s face it,I write from the centre of a Neymar pityfest,it`s like being in Liverpool,with his elbow across Modric`s throat versus Croatia forgotten.Brasil were brutal against Colombia,aided and abetted by a weak referee.Colombia dished it out too.If Neymar`s injury had happened to a player from Honduras then we wouldn`t be having this discussion.So, weak referees,a weak FIFA pandering to the needs of the hosts and others,hypocrisy from all quaters,diving, cheating and no one taking responsibility for their actions,we a have a reflection of the modern world in the game of football.Say no to Racism,indeed,but I wish we could say no to FIFA.
B6,
I disagree that we’re not concerned about less-known players getting illegal treatment. There have been several comments about the general laxity of discipline in the players and we keep on harping that it’s FIFA and the officials that are at fault.
No – it’s the players that are at fault!! It’s they that do what they do. The officials may have been lax, but the big problem is that the game is about money and too many players are rarely concerned about what’s morally right – the objective is to win and by whatever means is possible. And the officials are often too scared about upsetting the crowd or the likes of Murdoch and FIFA.
And that injury to Naymar was bad. It was just a heavy push in the back that could have resulted in something far worse. Nothing to do with a “pityfest”, B6. It was a bad foul on principle, regardless of who received the treatment.
The only *real* answer to the prevailing ill-discipline is for players – and society in general – to start believing in a proper set of values.
Ashley young coming back to villa !! Is there a certain world cup dutch centre half part of the deal i wonder?
Proxopera
That sounds appropriate.
JL
I agree about the values thing. The love of money and pursuit thereof drives the game. Indeed, it drives the world.
JL
I disagree almost entirely.Of course the players are at fault,my point is they are allowed to get away with their actions due due weakness from the authorities.It has everything to do with the wallowing in pity for Neymar.Thankfully he will be well soon,and no player or person deserves that treatment,but Brasil can dish it out but can`t take it.I am not taking any pleasure in Neymar`s circumstances,but a lesser known player with less powerful sponsors would hardly have received a moments coverage.All players should be protected not just the well known ones.I applaud the Colombian GK for not going down and rolling around after being blocked by Silva,but this has been overlooked as a lot of good,honest sportmanship is.After all the headline “Colombian keep doesn`t feign injury” will not attrract many readers.
AY coming back,?gGive me Senderos and Cole all day long ,over this diving, cheating, vermin.
I’m against you on this one, John. If the rules are lax, a person is perfectly within their right – whether onlookers care or not – to exploit gaps in conduct. If FIFA and UEFA et al do not sanction fairly, consistently and justifiably then discipline issues will always exist within football, albeit this branches into cultural values, norms etc.
However, Suarez is a rare example here, especially considering he is – to my knowledge – the only footballer in modern history charged with biting, and more than once. Diving and those facets of the game are outside the rules, but are not consistently sanctioned and when they are they are often deemed too weak. Increase punitive action and the result will be decreased cheating. Otherwise, they are well within their right to do so. It’s a sporting edge, a desire to gain advantage in any way possible, that I sort of commend. Except for dives without any contact at all. They’re more humorous than anything else.
Does anyone actually believe that we will pay the sort of money that Young will ask for, he was reputed to be on £120k a week at Untied and we hear we are now offering max £20k a week, we are in the bargain bucket boys and girls so lets just get used to it, oh by the way Happy Birthday Frem.
UTV
The entire world is corrupt though not just football, when former Tory lowlife Norman Eejit glosses over paedophiles within Westminster as “part of the system” then you know what a sordid society we live in.
FIFA is run by brown envelopes and our own FA by Ferguscon, the more twisted you are the more likely you prosper. Unfortunately barring a stray meteorite we all have to live in this rancid environment, thankfully, in my case, not for too many years.
SWV,
BS, just to sell ST’s.
I’ve been a Robbie Robertson fan for years. I can remember sitting at the lake and listening to the weight back in the 70’s. Nice pick for a tune Steamer.
There is a different set of rules for the players and it all depends on how high up their importance is. Players are like pets. They will push the limits of your patience or rules until you either give up and they get the extra treats or in football’s case a free get out of jail card. Everyone pushes the limits, some a lot more than others.
Steamer,
Do they actually think that the Villa fans will be rushing out to spend their hard earned with a dirty little rumour being spread by Faulkner, in fact they probably do the respect for the fanbase is virtually non existent.
UTV
Josh: I’m against you on this one, John. If the rules are lax, a person is perfectly within their right – whether onlookers care or not – to exploit gaps in conduct.
B6 Of course the players are at fault,my point is they are allowed to get away with their actions due [to]weakness from the authorities.
Aaaaahhhh…. Yes, but we know, do we not, that Newton said that for every action there is a re-action!! That is, whatever goes around comes around. Steamer refers to it as karma.
All it takes is for knowledge like that to be told to the players (and citizens) on a regular basis. After awhile it will sink in and life can become self-regulating.
Where I agree with you B6 is that the authorities in all modes of life are guilty of taking the easy options instead of the tough but better ones. Maybe because they don’t have much character – and that does make sense after seeing what’s being going on amidst the Tory party for goodness how long.
So, yes, the authorities and elders do not need to take proper action – but the best option they should take is to teach the new generation what is the right standard. Our William McGregor and Fred Rinder used to – and the approach produced good results.
Now tell me that that was then! Yes, but the principle hasn’t changed – it’s we that have slipped and need to change back.
Sorry – for “the authorities and elders do not need to take proper action… ” read “the authorities and elders *do* need to take proper action…”
Oh this football club. Randys statement was utterly pointless . Probably found out Shefield have sold more season tickets than us. He says the focus is on the season now, so can we expect 40 million to spend?
Hutton and Bennett at training today. Our full backs for next season? Oh dear oh dear. Bent was there on he pics, no Zoggy though. No future
Here’s Canadian band for you Steamer
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gFdHnh3iKe0
Ian
what!? players cheating whatever next 🙂
If Learner breaks open his wallet I’ll believe him, his selling the club does nothing but limit funds and player confidence so why stop if your not gonna spend. or its Guff.
JL
would be nice if everyone took responsibility for there actions prior to or after the fact but this universe is one of duality for every action there is a reaction for every positive a negative, yin and yang. nature seeks balance and that may come at the expense of us all in the end. we are the only species to my knowledge with morals yet we are the only species that takes more than it needs to live.
Oh! forgot ST75, SWV, Steamer and B6B totally different species “selfishicus shortarmicarum” is the Latin name I believe.
Even Maradona said there were only three players on the podium, Maradona, Messi and this genius –
http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/alfredo-di-stefano-dead-video-of-the-football-legend-in-action-9590341.html
How many centre forwards do you see behind their own defence, winning tackles and scoring that number of goals ? todays value ? £1b deposit.
JL
I believe the refs are akin to a weak teacher,if the pupils sense the weakness they walk all over her/him.In the BRZ-COL game,once the players saw no yellows were shown early on,the violence and diving steadily increased.Sad,but I think true.On that basis I expect the BRZ-GER game to be a contest of kicking,diving and very little flowing football,a truly ugly contest.
As much chance of a good game as me ever seeing my £20 notes back from Mark King and his cronies.
Steamer
I think he was born in Argentina,but played for Colombia and Spain also,I remember my dad telling me this.I`m not sure if it`s right,or if my memory is playing tricks on me.RIP.
Ok guys. Everyone send me 20 quid and be done with it. I promise not to bother you again. And free beers at the Copper Island Inn–tonight only. Be there.
Yes he did Brazil
So Randy has confirmed what most of us knew or feared, there is no white knight riding in to take us over, and Randy has showed just how poor a businessman he is, by even managing to fuck the sale up.
Looking at the pre season pictures today really brings home how shit this squad really is. It is overloaded with cheap players who are nowhere near good enough for the top flight, add to that we’re putting our faith in Lambert, a complete imbecile who should have gone ages ago and would have done at any other club.
It’s embarrassing, just what we’ve become under this leach of an owner. Where is the TV money??? We are in the black and just received the biggest payout in our history, and yet we bring absolute garbage like Sendross. I feel cheated by the club, they are scum just taking our ST/ticket money and not giving anything back in return. RL and PF have become blues legends
Blimey Ian, i thought they were Oirish, ‘spose Prox and co will be slagging me off for that comment.
B6,
True. When he went to Spain he actually signed for Barcelona but before arriving from Colombia he signed for Real too, the case went before the Spanish FA who ruled that he should play alternate seasons for each club beginning with Barca, he didn’t play well though and they after a few games they sold him to Real, the day after he signed Real were at the Camp Nou and won 5-1 wIth di Stefano scoring four.
Mark: would be nice if everyone took responsibility for there actions prior to or after the fact but this universe is one of duality for every action there is a reaction for every positive a negative, yin and yang. nature seeks balance and that may come at the expense of us all in the end…
Sorry, Mark, that sounds like a bit of a cop-out. What that says (or can be made to say) is that because nature is such-and-such then we have no choice about the matter.
Whilst accepting the concept of yin and yang I by no means think that the buck stops there. Similarly when you say: we are the only species to my knowledge with morals yet we are the only species that takes more than it needs to live while you’re right, it appear to be saying that’s how it is and we are supposed to just go along with it.
There are options open to us if we would accept them. But we don’t and go with second or third best instead.
Ian,
We’ll surprise you one day.
Mark,
We were coming to watch your band play this Sat but someone organised a barbi, so you can give me the £20 when i see you. Thought that was you on Ians vid actually, you dress like them too.
Bands
Well as everyone else is naming names I’ll present my own – a family member called Chris Lerwill. Died 2011. RIP.
See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gbabrXOGqAY
di Stefani
Watching that ’63 Rest of the World match it struck me (after I’d done my maths) that I was watching a 37-year-old!!
JL
no cop out, just observation and a consequence of where our duality has taken us thus far. capable of great compassion and great atrocity in equal measure. mankind has the sad idea we are somehow above and apart from nature courtesy of the worlds great religions and corporations. Possibly the situation could be retrieved but the vast majority will not be there to see it IMO.
Human nature seems to become pretty ruthless once we get into competitive mode —- the game is a lot safer than in years gone by , but the world cup refs have put in some shocking performances this time around
Sepp Blatter seems to be the untouchable man at the top of the game that is dragging the game down imo —-
JL,
The banjo always seems a happy instrument, dunno if it was growing up watching the Beverley Hillbillies ( no not S75 and SWV ), but i always think of Buddy Ebsen talking about Earl Flatt and Lester Scruggs. Showing my age now. All have to listen to is S75 in the caff warbling ‘She’ while strangling himself.
Mmmmm..
Some interesting points raised.
We all know that footballers in general are unable to police themselves on or off the pitch; with the odd exception they are Neanderthals. Off the pitch they are supposedly governed by the laws of the land, like the rest of us. Rarely though, or so it seems to me, are they challenged for their behavior, when they are; they have to have done something really serious to even get a mention.
On the pitch they are supposedly governed by the referee and his assistants, unfortunately refs are human and the standard is unequal dependent on the country they are from.
We can’t have refs who have played the game, any more than we can have criminals as policemen, (even though most police appear that way). What we need is a constant, a standard of refereeing worldwide. Kinda like a maccie dee, no matter where you go a macdonalds always taste the same.
Whats the answer?
remove the ref from the game and have video judgments….good luck with that. It’s the injustices on the pitch that gives us something to moan about on Monday so lets not take away the human element altogether, just get all referees up to the same standard, and FFS make them all professional.
Another thing that winds me up about footy is the play-acting, the player that gets shot every time he gets a hand off. This sort of cheating is corrupting the game and has increased as the foreign players have increased in the PL.
As soon as the FA start coming down hard on all the silly stuff then it will stop, coz the way its going at the moment is stupid. I wonder if any ref has been warned not to red card certain stars in the world cup because of the financial and social repercussions?
UTV
steam — di steff was a true great indeed , puskus was amazing too — pele gets on the podium for also
Mark
I understand … but I believe life has a purpose and therefore take the +ve view.
The other line is too existentialist for me, I’m afraid.
Steamer
I would probably be making a BIG mistake if I said I’d love to hear S75’s rendition of She! 😉
Oh, and Chris plays (played) the guitar as well … further on in the video.
Happy Birthday FREM …..tc’s cake for you was bloody luvly , finishing it off today ,
l have had a few requests to join something called Linklde (think thats how its spelled ) well l was asked yesterday” why are you on this site ? its for professionals ” , “l am a professional electrician “” no your not your a professional Nob ” and dont you dare get putting any crap on here ”
just to let you know ,l dont even know how to get on the page , !!!!
steamer l think Marks gig is later on in the year ,
Di Stefano , a true legend , R.I.P
i truely think l would struggle to even put one name from todays players who could be classed a legend ,
A Steamers BBQ saturday , god help the neighbours ………… (mind l think his neighbours need a word )
Rod We all know that footballers in general are unable to police themselves on or off the pitch; with the odd exception they are Neanderthals….
Yes, you’re generally right, of course.
So it’s got to be down to education … obviously coaches don’t instill much by way of humanity or gentlemanliness into their players – the theme is just to be successful, period. But that’s where change needs to be – in education of the players.
As to ruling the game by technology rather than officials my mind boggles. Surely someone has to blow a whistle to stop to see the video! 🙂
Runtings Sepp Blatter seems to be the untouchable man at the top of the game that is dragging the game down imo
There you may have it.
And I believe he had promised to step down next year but is now threatening to carry on.
JL
that may be true and it may be part of that purpose to take a fall by our own hands to learn but it saddens me to think we will have to or are to arrogant to care.
steamer/ST75
reindeer gig is this sat night
JL
for instance are guts have at least 10X the cells/microbes that our body has and we are killing/changing them with anti-biotics and diet. they could eventually work against us as their DNA is altered. the same is happening with soil bacteria and soil quality all because it makes money( don’t get me started on GMO). are anti biotic overuse has already caused changes in the pathogens we seek to kill. we are a symbiont and more reliant on nature than it is on us
Symbiont ? Never heard anyone from Kingshurst use a word like that before.
Right, as some one once sang, its a new dawn, a new day, so Steamers choice today is for Jenny …
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ks7FLXKozj8
SWV might remember this too, the cassette was on in my Capri going to every away game in the 70’s and 80’s.
Regarding Villa ………………………………………………………….
That fucking capri and then your dolomite, remember going to Maine Road on a new years eve ko 3.00 it was pissing down with snow on the way back, we all went in Jammies triumph 2.5 injection, we came down the M6 at about 120 mph with snow hitting the windscreen none of us could see was shitting myself, left Manchester at 4.45 got back in Brum for 6.00 ready to go out on the sherberts, mental days.
UTV
Paul Faulkner has stepped down as CEO.
Let the breathless speculation and shouted celebrations begin!!!
Mark,
Your view is the straight physical scientific one, methinks, though I’m not knocking your concerns. Diet *is* important, but while I would be a bore and point to classical spiritual philosophy as providing the answers, I’ll instead point to people such as Gregg Braden and Dr. Deepak Chopra who are helping people come out of the maze that you describe. Look them up on Google.
Braden is remarkable as he (like others I could refer to) has a scientific/technological background and yet has entered a different realm to seek answers to today’s deep conundrums.
If you read it closely he was sacked without a doubt. Good riddance, only three more to go.
I bet that Faulkner has a job to step into, probably the FA, otherwise he’d have stayed.
Wonder if the situations so bad that he preferred jobseekers allowance.
Faulkner steps down, (good news).
Even though its raining….its not raining in my heart!
UTV
Only Randy and Lambert to leave now
Hopefully we will get Courtese in now
Matt has posted a new article…