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Now I've just
returned from the Villa v Arsenal game at Villa park the visitors
winning 2-0. Both goals from set pieces, a penalty and free kick.
Villa must feel downright robbed by two very dubious refereeing
decisions.
The first free kick resulting from some very
good diving skills that could have won a gold medal at The Olympics. What
followed became farcical. The ball was placed down by Henry, the referee
was clearly seen ushering the Villa wall back 10 yards, Sorensen was busy
lining up his wall as Henry took the chance to take the free kick early
and scored to the disbelief of the Villa players. Protests by Delaney and
Allback resulted in 2 yellow cards.
Now I'm aware that the attacking team has
the right to take the kick early and not insisting on the opposing players
standing 10 yards back but once the referee has asked the wall to step
back 10 yards then the free kick should wait for the whistle.
The penalty
decision was another awful decision that cost us dear. Kanu simply ran
into Mellberg with Olof simply having no where to go. The resulted
theatrics that followed by Kanu certainly warrants a nomination for an
Oscar.
To top the day off I witnessed some of the
worst flagrant cheating by supposedly professional sportsmen I'd seen for
a long time. Henry's song and dance when he was feigning his face injury
was at best laughable at worst downright unsporting.
This brings me to
our supposed professional referees. Now I no what a difficult job it
can be but at this level a lot is at stake. Today the referee made 2
awful decisions that resulted in both goals.
The FA also has an
obligation to take a long hard look at the issue of diving players.
Video evidence should be used and any players found guilty should be
severely punished. What I witnessed today should be eradicated from this
great sport and soon.
Comment by Adrian Marsh
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