Chelsea thread
Wow, that is way out of line. And the comparison is no where near the same, not even remotely
Drogba, love the way he plays but HATE the way he behaves (or doesn't more like) and Mr Ballack can depart the Bridge this summer.....I am fed up with them.
I agree we were extremely unlucky not to have had a penalty or two (Malouda being manhandled IN the box) and the Pique handballing IN the box....but also agree the red card was completely the wrong call and that we were also very lucky to come away from Camp Nou with a 0-0 after Barca not being given a penalty there.....
We should have taken our chances this morning and killed off the game, we sat too deep at 1-0 and paid the price....the behaviour post match was embarrassing from my blue heart....
Essien's goal was a wonderstrike...and he reiterated to me why he is my favourite player (until he mish*t that clearance and gave the ball to Messi....who gave it to Iniesta who....aaarrrggghhh!!!)
Today I was emailed a picture of a violin, sent a pxt of the Barcelona crest and then Santy informed me that New World had tissues on special for $2.99......nice!!!
Tomorrow....can only be a better day.....
I was distraught as a loser.....but would have been unbearable as a winner....
Football huh.....more important than life or death....
Coxey2009-05-08 00:09:41
Whats the difference between swine flu and chelsea? Swine flu is still in Europe.
Think the club will probably get fined for the throwing of stuff at officials and Barcelona staff. There may be fines for players as well (not really sure what UEFA disciplinary code says for situations like this), but unless there's clear evidence of violent behaviour, I don't think there'll be any bans.
By the way, I should also point out that John Terry went into the Barcelona changing room after the game and shook everyone's hand, and was applauded out of the room by Barca players and officials, and has been publicly lauded by Guardiola for this act.
Would have had more sympathy for Chelsea if they hadn't dropped their bundle at the end.
Is it not strange that when Chelsea don't win there are 20 people ready to gloat, but when they do win, as in 3-1, after being 1-0 down, there is hardley a ripple.
Think the club will probably get fined for the throwing of stuff at officials and Barcelona staff. There may be fines for players as well (not really sure what UEFA disciplinary code says for situations like this), but unless there's clear evidence of violent behaviour, I don't think there'll be any bans.
By the way, I should also point out that John Terry went into the Barcelona changing room after the game and shook everyone's hand, and was applauded out of the room by Barca players and officials, and has been publicly lauded by Guardiola for this act.
well done John Terry.
By the way, I should also point out that John Terry went into the Barcelona changing room after the game and shook everyone's hand, and was applauded out of the room by Barca players and officials, and has been publicly lauded by Guardiola for this act.
Interesting that Gus came out in the paper this morning saying that the ref was the worst he had seen in his career.
Thursday 7 May, 2009
Blog: Remembering Korea
Chelsea boss Guus Hiddink said last night�s referee was the worst he�d ever seen. But, asks Giancarlo Rinaldi, what about Byron Moreno?
The summer of 2002 is one I don't recall with any pleasure. I had to get time off work to get out of the office to watch the Azzurri clash with South Korea in the World Cup. I remember wishing I hadn't bothered.
And yet all the memories have come flooding back to me following Chelsea's elimination from the Champions League. The same finger-pointing at the referee, the same conspiracy theories, the same bitter recriminations. Except it has all been turned upside down.
Let us recall what Italy fans were told after they lost out in the Far East. "Get over it," was the main message. "You didn't take your chances - so don't blame the referee. You are just making excuses."
Well, Blues of Stamford Bridge, how about taking that advice?
How many times have I seen an Italian team which based its game on stout defence and great organisation go out to a late goal? We are usually told it serves us right. So why does the same not hold true for an English club side?
The conspiracy theory about UEFA not wanting an all-English Final is laughable. Magnificent as the match referee was, how could he have foreseen Iniesta's late, late thunderbolt? Without that, remember, Chelsea were heading to Rome. And how does the ludicrous red card for a Barca player fit into the theory anyway?
Of course, those of us long enough in the tooth to remember South Korea will recall who was sitting on the opposition bench that day. Yes, it was Mr Hiddink. So when he says the referee on Wednesday night was the worst he has ever seen it is hard not to think he might have a slightly selective memory.
Byron Moreno was streets ahead of Tommy Ovrebo in the controversial decision department. He managed to send a man off when he should have got a penalty. Now imagine if that had happened to Didier Drogba...
Of cause they shouldn't be abused etc, and their job obviously isn't easy, but do they receive any form of blame or "punishment"? (thats a genuine question) If you made four major stuff ups in one week at your job you'd probably find yourself half way out the door...Michael2009-05-08 23:54:51
First of all, there were bad calls in both games by two different referees. Chelsea labeled Barca as 'moaners' after the first leg but the referee should have definitely given way more fouls. The 2nd leg was obviously a poorer referee but its not like he leant towards giving barca the win. He gave them an unnecessary Red.
I dont think this 4 penalty thing is right - i kow if 2 or three of them had been given they would have been considered weak penalties and then barca would be moaning about the ref. But of course they would be told to shut it.. And whose to say that even if a penalty was given, that it would of been scored.
I just think the whole legitimate argument any Chelsea player had has been negated by the spectical they caused. They are going to pay the price for this one with fines, match bans and maybe points deductions
Fletcher is currently suspended for the Champions League final after his commendable but largely irrelevant efforts to make a last-ditch tackle on Cesc Fabregas on Tuesday night which prompted referee Roberto Rossetti to send him off and award Arsenal a penalty.
The point that the decision was unjust has already been made on this here page, and all were left to muse that the denial of appeal was an unfortunate wrinkle in the rules that would hopefully be ironed out, so others would not suffer the same fate in the future.
However, after a chance meeting between Alex Ferguson and UEFA general secretary David Taylor, a fellow Scot, United have submitted an appeal on 'compassionate grounds'.
Taylor said loudly to cover the sound of a loophole being hastily burrowed: "I've spoken with Alex Ferguson personally on this - as fate would have it we shared a car after the match. We had an interesting discussion.
"Strictly speaking there is no appeal process but representation can be made. If the club want to write to us with information - such as video evidence - explaining why they think this is a harsh punishment, then they can do that.
"The likelihood is we'd refer it to our disciplinary body. They would then look to see if there were any special circumstances to justify any departure from established procedures."
Ignoring the fact that the United boss has the ear of one of his industries' top brass, morally United may have a point. ED fully believes Fletcher deserves his place on the Stadio Olimpico bench, but instigating a non-existent appeal process on 'compassionate grounds' - ie doing them a favour - makes a mockery of the system for every other side.
By the same logic, perhaps we can expect Chelsea to launch an appeal on similar grounds over the penalties they weren't awarded against Barca in the near future."
Who said in the eyes of the law they were penalties in the first place?
I listened to some idiot on on Radio Sport the other day on what he thought, after playing Football for 30 years, on what handball was. This caller made Tommy Shyte look like an expert on the laws of our great game.
Of cause they shouldn't be abused etc, and their job obviously isn't easy, but do they receive any form of blame or "punishment"? (thats a genuine question) If you made four major stuff ups in one week at your job you'd probably find yourself half way out the door...
Did any of you see the plays of the week? Ronaldos goal was number one. Iniesta's goal was in there. No Essien. Ive also heard them refer to someone called Robert van Persie about 5 times
It's not that straightforward - the first leg was refereed by a guy from Germany, and he was absolutely terrible too.
No upset here JD... I'm getting sick of hearing it - want to see him do something about it. Amongst one or three other things
No upset here JD... I'm getting sick of hearing it - want to see him do something about it. Amongst one or three other things