: Sun May 10, 2009 10:18 pm  

See above. Mintball

: Sun May 10, 2009 10:24 pm  

Sorry FA. i've successfully steered this thread off topic. Where are the mods? You tube links and everything and they wonder why this country's going down the pan?!?!? Anyway I agree soccer players and fans need to realise what's important in life and it isn't a game of football no matter what the code is. You'd think a bunch off millionaires would have more important things to think about. the thing is that soccer has now become so consumed by money and keeping up with the Jones' whether that be players, officials or fans that it is no longer a sport and more a sports entertainment like Wrestling.

: Mon May 11, 2009 7:16 am  

quality videos!

This behaviour in soccer isn't exactly new though is it? I know the FA have brought in a "respect" campaign but I haven't seen too much of it from players and managers alike.

: Mon May 11, 2009 8:27 am  

phillgee wrote:

quality videos!

This behaviour in soccer isn't exactly new though is it? I know the FA have brought in a "respect" campaign but I haven't seen too much of it from players and managers alike.

They all paid lipservice to it at the start of the year, but really, unless the FA actually realises that THEY are the ones in power the situation won't change.

Surely the threat of a team losing their european spot (even though I don't think the players care enough about the team they play for to care about the club stature) would be a significant kick in the wallet, the only true way of penalising these people, to make them sit up and take notice

: Mon May 11, 2009 9:52 am  

Whilst I agree with what's being said in principle, I think you are taking a non-emotional view of it. Reaching the final of that competition is the highest worldwide accolade a player can have. For some of the Chelsea lads, it may be the last chance they have.

A couple of points for consideration:
1. The referee was never actually touched.
2. I'd like to see anyone else put in that situation just smile, shake hands and walk off. Has anybody else experienced the adrenaline of a night like that?
3. Whilst RL players are on the whole better behaved, they aren't perfect in similar situations. E.g. Jimmy after the 2002 GF and Harris after MM 2007 to name but two.

Just to re-iterate here, I am by no means condoning what happened post game on Wednesday, but I think there's an element of viewing this through "perfect world" glasses.

: Mon May 11, 2009 10:00 am  

Wigan Bull wrote:

A couple of points for consideration:
1. The referee was never actually touched.

No, but he was screamed at in the face then chased by the players

That's still a form of intimidation and it's completely unacceptable at any level in any sport

: Mon May 11, 2009 10:33 am  

Wigan Bull wrote:

Whilst I agree with what's being said in principle, I think you are taking a non-emotional view of it. Reaching the final of that competition is the highest worldwide accolade a player can have. For some of the Chelsea lads, it may be the last chance they have.

No, I am suggetsing players keep a lid on their emotions like men, not run around screaming like little girls.

What are you saying - that what Ballack did was OK "bcause he was emotional"? Because "he wouldn't be reaching the final"? I'm sorry, but that's just disgraceful.

What you are suggesting is that because these players could not change the fact that they were out, and were very upset, they should in those circumstances be allowed to bully, abuse and vilify the referee.

Let's say that the match was the semi-final of your local schools FA Vase, and let's say that Ballack, or indeed Drogba, was your son. What would you have said to him?

Wigan Bull wrote:

A couple of points for consideration:
1. The referee was never actually touched.

And your point is? This is only relevant in how long bans are given out. It has no bearing, at all, on the behaviour in question.

Wigan Bull wrote:

2. I'd like to see anyone else put in that situation just smile, shake hands and walk off. Has anybody else experienced the adrenaline of a night like that?

Yes. I remember feeling utterly cheated out of at least 2 Finals following Bradford, for example. I was as gutted as it gets. But I did not pursue the officials or run around screaming and carrying on. In fact (as you'd expect from RL fans) we all left the ground talking about the game like adults and we got over it. You're just making abject excuses for the inexcusable. Adrenaline does not make you lose control of your emotions or actions.

Wigan Bull wrote:

3. Whilst RL players are on the whole better behaved, they aren't perfect in similar situations. E.g. Jimmy after the 2002 GF and Harris after MM 2007 to name but two.

I would not condone any such outrageous behaviour at any time, but I wasn't claiming saintdom for all RL players, and your point does not in any way change the fact that RL players' behaviour towards officials is in no way comparable to footballers; and compared to the Chelsea fiasco, it is closer to sainthood.

Wigan Bull wrote:

Just to re-iterate here, I am by no means condoning what happened post game on Wednesday, but I think there's an element of viewing this through "perfect world" glasses.

The opposite. The tougher the call, the more of a man you have to be to take it on the chin. This is what earns respect. Unfortunately, these grown men cannot behave as such as they have been irretrievably spoiled, and have an infinitely inflated sense of their own importance and, in truth, do not have the slightest respect for the official at all. They are too big for their boots, and UEFA / Chelsea or whover has power to exact discipline has an opportunity to mark that fact by exacting appropriate punishments. If they do impose severe penalties then it might just strike home with these posturing prima donnas how absurd they actually are.

: Mon May 11, 2009 10:43 am  

To bring it home to the players it may have been better if the Chelsea team had all gone and berated Drogba when he missed that sitter.

: Mon May 11, 2009 10:44 am  

I'm not going to get drawn into a sparring match with you here FA. You obviously have a strong view on it and I know from experience, you're never going to back down regardless of responses back to you.

I just think it is easy to criticise the players for what they did (and rightly so), it is however understandable (note: not acceptable) for them to react in the way they did. And again, you have never been in that situation and being a player in that situation is different to being a fan.

: Mon May 11, 2009 11:27 am  

Wigan Bull wrote:

I'm not going to get drawn into a sparring match with you here FA. You obviously have a strong view on it and I know from experience, you're never going to back down regardless of responses back to you.

I just think it is easy to criticise the players for what they did (and rightly so), it is however understandable (note: not acceptable) for them to react in the way they did. And again, you have never been in that situation and being a player in that situation is different to being a fan.

... if it was your son?