We all seem to get upset by "alleged" diving by players these days, and rightly so.
However this is not the sole area in football where blatant cheating goes on and rarely are the perpetrators punished for it.
Take throw ins for instance, all players seem to think that where the ball actually went out is incidental and that creeping up a further 5-10yards is within the Laws of The Game, well it isn't and referee's need to clamp down on it. The punishment for a foul throw is to award the throw to the opposition, for advancing further than entitled should be an automatic yellow card.
One other area of cheating was highlighted perfectly in the match yesterday at The Stadium of Light.
Sunderland were awarded a free kick about 3-4 yards inside the Spurs half. The ball was about 30 yards away, whilst the referee walked away from where the foul was committed, the Sunderland player (not sure if it was Turner or Bardsley) moved at least another 8-9 yards forward, then unbelievably when the ball was given to him he put it a further couple of yards in front of where he had advanced to. That is blatant cheating, and we cannot put the blame on a foreign player this time.
It is the linesmans job to watch the referee's back and also the 4th official would have had a clear view of this happening as it was almost opposite where he stands.
My final rant is on all this manhandling in the penalty areas, when are the referees going to be given a mandate to eradicate this. They seem reluctant (or have been instructed to not penalise these incidents ) to give penalties or free kicks for these offences, yet Foy yesterday only spoke to two players about the pushing and jostling.
Friedel was on many occasions being deliberately blocked by Sunderland players, this at best is obstruction and at worst a direct free kick. And yes I know that we sometimes do it to opposition keepers and players, doesn't make it right and I think it detracts from the game. It is also breaking the Laws of the game and cheating.
All that is needed to stop it is for a few referees to start giving penalties, free kicks and cautions when it occurs.
Nearly everytime someone grabs someone or grapples with them outside of the box, it is a free kick and more often than not a yellow card.
Have I missed something? Do the laws of the game change once the ball enters the penalty area?
Rant over, comments appreciated on how others feel about the unsavoury aspects that have crept into the game in recent years.
Cheating
posted on 8/4/12
"Why dont Spurs ever get this sort of favourtism."
If twas offered, would you really want it ??
I was so proud of Spurs at Stoke, try to win the game in spite of the ref, and without dissent antics.
posted on 8/4/12
A Man Utd penalty awarded for a non existant foul
Why dont Spurs ever get this sort of favourtism.
===============
North London derby
As for the handball yesterday, I would argue Scott Parker got away with an equal incident.
posted on 8/4/12
Cockeral Barfly
Because you are an insignificantly small club in the overall scheme of things
posted on 9/4/12
What a ridiculously stupid article . . . . those grapes are obviously 'off' so stop eating them, 'geniusgreaves'
posted on 9/4/12
Wow! Its taken nearly a day for one the very few Sunderland supporters to respond. It is not sour grapes, how do you work that out? I only used one incident from the Sunderland game to prove a point.
However now you have joined in, are you really happy to see a HOME team set up to play all 11 players inside their own half for 85% of the game?
For O'Neill to use the excuse that Spurs have more resources and money is totally rubbish, you set up exactly the same way against both Everton & QPR and neither of these clubs have had money spent on them.
No, Sunderland set out their stall to frustrate us and it blatantly worked, so thats fair enough a point deserved. However I would not pay to go and watch that week in and week out, especially when there is a more exciting team just up the road on Tyneside.
We were rubbish too, but at least we tried to attack and had some efforts to score.
posted on 9/4/12
One incident, eh . . . . he can't count
85% of the game . . . . he's innumerate
Fair point
Idiocy at it's best
Illiterate, too, unless he's been blinded by rose tinted spectacles and obviously didn't read ( or understand ) an earlier post pointing out that Sunderland had more chances and corners than 'Spurs ( no, it can't be that )
All in all, a ridiculously stupid response, which is consistent with the aforementioned ridiculously stupid article
Anyway, I hope that 'Spurs win the F.A. Cup next month, beating Chelsea and Everton to do so
posted on 9/4/12
Gordon......................You might have had more shots & corners which was only because we don't play 11 behind the ball for the majority of a match, this still doesn't negate the fact that you defended for the vast majority of the match.
As for the one point, it was about cheating and stealing 8-10 yards when the referees back is turned.
I know football is a passion in Sunderland (I was fortunate enough to play once at Roker Park back in the late 60's..........) however I do not think many fans will enjoy too much negative football for too long, do you? Or have I got that wrong too?
Thanks for the good wishes and I hope Sunderland get back to playing good football because the fans deserve that at least.
posted on 9/4/12
You're sounding very bitter and we don't see very much negative football at all ( did you watch us at the City of Manchester Stadium ( Etihad sounds stupid, to me, and the whole sponsorship situation is a con ) where we attacked throughout ). Horses for courses, according to Martin O'Neill, I think and if he decides to play more negatively against 'Spurs than against 'City that's fine by me . . . . and it's a compliment to your team, who play much more attractive football than 'City, too
I was once sent off at Roker Park in the 70's and I'm proud of it
posted on 9/4/12
. . . . late 70's but I can't remember the year
posted on 9/4/12
Good claim to fame I did get booked at Villa Park in 1966 in the Central League!
Not really bitter, but I do like to watch good football & neither team served that up on Saturday. I must admit I thought you played well at City & should have won.