Henry was superb last night… and he showed that little touch of true world class quality which I don’t think he will ever lose. Admittedly he was a sub and Leeds were tired – but he didn’t seem a slouch either – yes he may not have the pace he used to, but I don’t think we should now assume he’s slow!
Footballing qualities aren’t the reason for this thread though… I admire the guy greatly… I have total respect for his talent – but last night he did jump in and kick out at a Leeds player. There was no intention of getting the ball, it was from behind… and the referee did not even book him. It should undoubtedly have been a yellow and under the letter of the law (something quoted a lot this week) is it not a red card?
My first question to people is – are you surprised Henry did this? In his previous time at Arsenal I can barely even remember him committing a foul – and even when kicked himself he reacted calmly – he rose above it (perhaps because he was so much better than the players he was up against).
My second question is – should he not be banned for it? It would be a travesty perhaps if he is back on loan for 6 weeks and spends 3 of the games suspended for violent conduct but would it not be the appropriate action? The Leeds player (forgive my ignorance I can’t remember his name) did not go to ground or milk it – and the media didn’t make much of it. Should this matter? Is it acceptable that a player with a big name gets treated leniently because of his reputation and standing in the game? Does it show that players have to roll around on the floor to get the referee to do his job?
No axe to grind here- I’m just interested as to people’s feelings on the matter. Please no offensive comments – just want genuine debate.
Above the law?
posted on 10/1/12
posted on 10/1/12
posted on 10/1/12
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posted on 10/1/12
Dunno Tommy, I'm waiting for the DVD
posted on 10/1/12
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posted on 11/1/12
The Thierry Henry tackle didn't look malicious, from what I saw Henry was on his knees, our player kept hold of the ball and the ref played the advantage, which is a good decision in my opinion.
I think Henry was a little upset that he lost the ball after trying to hold it up near the corner flag.
posted on 11/1/12
Highland white
posted on 11/1/12
LeedsLuvR
It doesn’t have to be malicious to be a yellow card nowadays – it is a tackle from behind.
The ref can play advantage and still go back and book the player. Yes playing advantage was good… but it doesn’t stop a card being shown.
The fact Henry was upset at losing the ball could well be true… but so what? How often have you seen players lose the ball then jump in with a foul borne out of frustration – quite often. And usually these fouls are given bookings I think.
posted on 11/1/12
JohnJenson – it was a lunge in from behind… that is more often than not a booking nowadays. It was a foul straight after the player himself believes he was fouled… quite often that is a booking. It was an attempt to stop Leeds breaking out from defense (He took the ball into the corner to waste time and the foul was just a continuation of this) – that the player carried on isn’t important really.
I agree the removing of a shirt is a ridiculous booking, and it is perhaps more black and white than tackles which are open to interpretation… however I think the point is under the current interpretation the Henry one is a definite yellow. Yellows are given all the time for tackles just like that!
As for it being dangerous… again this is down to interpretation, don’t get me wrong it wasn’t the worst tackle I’ve seen – but any time you kick someone it could be considered dangerous. Remember Cisse’s leg break from the most innocuous of tackles? Would that tackle have been considered dangerous?
It’s the same problem we have with language perhaps… as raising your hands to someone’s chest in footballing terms is considered “violent”… a term which is at odds with our actual understanding of the word.
posted on 11/1/12
Walrus
It perhaps isn’t the best example I could use, but it is the most timely.
You are saying there is no way it could be a yellow… that is clearly not the case. Any tackle from behind runs the risk of being a yellow card, and I think the risk is increased when it is an attempt to prevent a breakaway and after a player has just lost the ball. Had it been another character would it be considered a revenge tackle?
The fact the player carries on is completely irrelevant. Or do you think a booking should be given based on how many times the player rolls over? That’s just silly if you’ll forgive me for saying so.
Arsenal could well have more bookings and sendings off per tackle made… I don’t know the statistics but that could well be true. That isn’t the point I’m making though. Firstly not all tackles are the same so a simple numeric comparison isn’t really worth much, but more importantly the point was that Henry didn’t get booked because of his reputation. That doesn’t mean Song won’t get booked, or Arshavin… or anyone else… this isn’t an Anti-Arsenal post! It’s just a question over whether people believe reputation prevents referees from treating people evenly.
I didn’t notice that with Denilson
I actually think it’s normally the other way around… a striker goes down at the slightest contact and gets a freekick whereas a defender stays up and it takes a lot more for him to get a foul. I get very nervous when a defender goes to ground expecting a free kick… that’s relying on the referee to make a decision… I much prefer it when defenders deal with the situation themselves! The same with offsides… relying on the linesman to get it right is taking a huge chance!
“it was an incident in which he committed a foul but the player rode the challenge and ref waved play on.”
The reaction of the player fouled shouldn’t come into it should it? And the ref can play on then go back to book the player.
“Henry is not generally a candidate for getting away with this kind of thing because he so rarely makes a challenge anyway.”
My point is past reputation shouldn’t come into it. Saying he rarely makes a challenge is not the point.
I agree other players get away with things too – Rooney, Scholes etc… on this occasion though I think it was Henry.