Send to a friend 4sportsake.com





 

 

Hot off the press

 Too close to the bone...

Being a married man 12 years into a lifetime stretch, I know something of the vagaries of the female mind. Not enough obviously, but sufficient to realise I’ve got more chance of turning back a tsunami with a wind break as I have second guessing whether or not I’m in the dog house.

You know the score. Some days you can go to the pub, come home with that inane grin on your face and the sense of coordination of Peter Crouch and, for some unfathomable reason, she’s actually pleased to see you. Other days, you can cook dinner, ask her how her day was and get your head bitten off faster than a Praying Mantis can whisper permanent divorce.

Referees are like wives.

Some games, there’s more chance to seeing Hayley’s Comet than the esteemed gentleman in black brandishing a card. Other matches and you suspect the ref’s card is rocket propelled from his pocket.

Inconsistency is, of course, part of the game. Like hopeless husbands the length and breadth of the country, referees make mistakes but the last week or so in the Premier League has exposed a dark problem that goes far beyond the men with the whistles.

Did you see the Chelsea game? Did you see Claude Makelele’s horrific challenge on Julien Faubert – a studs-first, shin-high assault on the West Ham player that had ‘leg breaker’ written all over it? Have you forgotten the plight of Eduardo?

Makelele’s ‘tackle’ was appalling. That Faubert’s leg didn’t snap like a Twiglet is a merciful blessing, if not a miracle. Another day, another game and we’d be talking about hanging the Frenchman by his ankles from Tower Bridge and pelting him with rotten camembert.

Believe it or not, I’m not actually trying to whip up a witch hunt against the Chelsea midfielder. I’m not even calling for the head of Mark Halsey, although he should hang his head in shame at his failure to show Makelele a card of any colour. As I said, referees make mistakes.

And there’s the rub. We’ve got to try and respect the men in the middle, we’ve got accept the good and the frankly incompetent that lies within and we’ve got to reconcile ourselves to the fact that, like husbands, they’re far from perfect.

But we’ve also got to support them. And that means we have to help make good their mistakes.

Halsey dropped a clanger not sending Makelele off. Mike Dean made the right decision the previous weekend showing Martin Taylor a red card after what happened to Eduardo. The problem is, Taylor is pilloried to accompany his justified dismissal while Makelele swans off with no red card and, apparently, no case to answer. I don’t want any player hounded relentlessly for what happens out on the pitch but there has to be a sense of justice.

The solution has to be more retrospective intervention by the Premier League and the FA. They have to make the necessary moves so they can look at an incident like Makelele’s lunge on Faubert and – if they so choose – slap him with a five, seven, 10 game ban.

The game will still be riddled with cock-ups, errors and disgruntled individuals but only then will the worst of the worst – the challenges that really can end careers – be accountable. Makelele (never mind Faubert) was lucky the sickening sound of breaking bone didn’t echo around Upton Park on Saturday. The fact there will be no repercussions for him is even more nauseating.

 

Share/Save/Bookmark

by IainSpragg | Sunday 2 March 2008 1:07pm
All SportsFeatures | 39 comments

Comments

People should really rely on submit article service, because that is realy simple to utilize the article submission companies for such kind of superior thought like this good post.


by article submission service on 2010-07-10 04:04:33

great Breitling replica watches. Good service and fast delivery


by Breitling Bentley on 2010-07-05 04:58:22

nice chanel watch replica


by J12 watch on 2010-07-05 04:55:52


This is a great article. I’m new to blogging but still learning. Thanks for the great resource.


by wow power leveling on 2010-06-22 01:41:19

http://www.oboots.com ugg uk
http://www.oboots.com cheap ugg boots
http://www.oboots.com ugg calssic boots

http://www.oboots.com/ugg-bailey-button-boots-c-451.html ugg bailey button
http://www.oboots.com/ugg-classic-argyle-knit-boots-c-468.html ugg argyle knit
http://www.oboots.com/ugg-classic-cardy-boots-c-453.html ugg cardy
http://www.oboo ts.com/ugg-classic-crochet-boots-c-457.html ugg crochet
http://www.oboots.com/ugg-classic-flower-boots-c-474.html ugg flower
http://www.oboots.com/ugg-classic-tall-boots-leopard-5684-p-12355.html ugg leopard
http://www.oboots.com/ugg-classic-mini-boots-c-456.html ugg mini
http://www.oboots.com/ugg-classic-paisley-boots-c-470.html ugg paisley
http://www.oboots.com/ugg-classic-short-boots-c-455.html ugg short
http://www.oboots.com/ugg-classic-tall-boots-c-454.html ugg tall
http://www.oboots.com/ugg-classic-tall-boots-mettlic-gold-p-12319.html ugg tall mettlic gold
http://www.oboots.com/ugg-elsey-wedge-boots-c-467.html ugg elsey wedge
http://www.oboots.com/ugg-infants-erin-baby-boots-c-463.html ugg infants erin
http://www.oboots.com/ugg-womens-langley-boots-black-p-12349.html ugg langley
http://www.oboots.com/ugg-lo-pro-button-boots-c-472.html ugg lo pro
http://www.oboots.com/ugg-womens-locarno-boots-p-12360.html ugg locarno
http://www.oboots.com/ugg-mayfaire-boots-c-464.html ugg mayfaire
http://www.oboots.com/ugg-nightfall-boots-c-458.html ugg nightfall
http://www.oboots.com/ugg-rainier-eskimo-boots-c-466.html ugg rainier eskimo
http://www.oboots.com/ugg-sundance-ii-boots-c-461.html UGG Sundance II
http://www.oboots.com/ugg-ultimate-bind-boots-c-471.html ugg ultimate bind
http://www.oboots.com/ugg-ultra-short-boots-c-460.html ugg ultra short
http://www.oboots.com/ugg-ultra-tall-boots-c-459.html ugg ultra tall
http://www.oboots.com/ugg-suede-boots-c-498.html ugg suede
http://www.oboots.com/ugg-upside-boots-c-499.html ugg upside
http://www.oboots.com/ugg-roxy-tall-boots-c-503.html ugg roxy
http://www.oboots.com/ugg-seline-boots-c-504.html ugg seline
http://www.oboots.com/ugg-womens-corinth-boots-in-cocoa-p-12401.html ugg corinth wedge
http://www.oboots.com/ugg-liberty-boots-c-506.html ugg liberty
http://www.oboots.com/ugg-highkoo-boots-c-507.html ugg highkoo
http://www.oboots.com/ugg-knightsbridge-boots-c-508.html ugg knightsbridge
http://www.oboots.com/ugg-bomber-jacket-boots-c-509.html ugg bomber jacket
http://www.oboots.com/ugg-adirondack-tall-boot-c-510.html ugg adirondack
http://www.oboots.com/ugg-suburb-crochet-boots-c-511.html ugg suburb crochet

http://www.oboots.com/specials.html uggs on sale
http://www.oboots.com/products_new.html ugg boots
http://www.oboots.com/featured_products.html cheap ugg boots
http://www.oboots.com/products_all.html ugg boots
http://www.oboots.com/page.html?id=29 ugg size guide


by ugg boots on sale on 2010-06-21 09:14:24

How can this be that you receive a lot super facts as this topic? Just the good essays writers know the way to make a kind great thesis service and dissertation writing service.


by thesis service on 2010-06-13 22:44:09

I would affirm that you make really the hottest information close to this good topic. You should compose the mba thesis for thesis writing service or just make your dissertation service and some people will buy dissertations in that location.


by thesis writing service on 2010-06-11 14:26:20

At present, a lot of people are sure that the custom book reports writing service would be the best point to purchase definition essay at. Moreover, it is very good way to save time!


by custom essay order on 2010-06-11 03:08:10

This can be absorbing to create the custom term papers but that demands lots of time at any rate. Thus different students, which have to work a lot, buy custom term paper writing service. This way, they reach an academic success. So what for must you waste your valuable time?


by custom paper writing service on 2010-06-09 03:00:19

There's no matter if students are advanced in buy term papers or good essay writing, they will have to represent their writing technique in any case. Thence to buy essay papers at paper writing service could be a right pass way out.


by custom term paper on 2010-06-09 00:20:08

Thanks very much for sharing. It is quite useful.


by Christian louboutin on 2010-05-17 02:42:26

N a de agent naar links, Cheap Handbagseen vrouw insid de eerste verdieping naast schreeuwen tegen het verslag weg te gaan. "We'v noorden verkeerd gedaan!" ze huilde. "Ga om de echte terroristen!" Chakraborry, 49, zei dat ze twijfelen aan haar huurder had ani terroristische banden. 'Hij' een veri goede vent, "zei de verhuurder. "Hij is een geverifieerd hard werkenWhole Sale Handbags man die zorg van hi dochter." Th Long Island raid betrok een jacht voor de koerier die provid Shahzad met monei voor Hi Mai een perceel op te blazen een SUV in de kruising van de Wereld, sourc vertelde de News.Th Replica Handbagsverdachte op vrije voeten blijven, een sourc het nieuws vertelde. Maar de inval deed productie drie arrestaties, allemaal voor alleg immigr schendingen, feder offici said.phish scam en spam, Facebook 'miljoen gebruikers ar lucr een doelwit voor internet kijken naar crimin vergeten en meer te stelen. Ter bestrijding van malici aanvallen. de onlin sociaal netwerk is de uitrol Top Handbagsvan nieuwe SECUR features.but als u niet thuis achtergelaten in een week, kunt u vragen om kennisgeving via e-mail of sms Berichten wanneer uw account wordt de toegang vanaf een stuurpro of mobil-apparaat dat u haven ' t ons vóór. Het log-in een poging mai worden legitim bij you'r reizen. U moet uw probabl password.such als simultaan Chang log-in vanaf Tegenover kant van de planeet. Bijvoorbeeld, Facebook is ook als het ad-wegversperring notic unusu activiteit. U zou kunnen worden aangetoond met een foto tagged uw Prada Handbagsvriend, en worden vragen om identificatie correctli die Thei ar befor de tweede-log in goe through.where gebruiker kan de datum te bekijken, zal Gebruiker ook abl om te kijken waar de laatste log-in hebt vandaan komen. Thi is vergelijkbaaNike Shox R3 met een Google Search featur Inc aanbod op het Gmail-service. tijd en locat van deGucci Handbags meest recente log-in op hun rekening. Gmail ook aangeven of de rekening is geopend op ande stuurpro op hetzelfde time.while andere ar nog steeds als proef worden en zal starten in de komende paar weken. Facebook typic roll-out over Handbagste verbreken Chang dagen, Sommige van deze chang ar alreadi beschikbaar. zo niet weken, dus niet alle door de gebruiker zal ze te zien op hetzelfde time.even zoals het weren van de klacht van privaci advocaten, De nieuwe featur komen als Facebook gezicht criticus groeien in de wai het Handl de privacy van gebruikers. Het is ha duw ze naar meer informatie Replica Gucci Handbags over themselv met op ande en met de wereld delen niet binnen. De SECUR bren is een teken van de Compani werken om het vertrouwen van gebruikers te bewaren in de wai het Handl de prive-gegevens Thei post. gebruiker en politicians.former Louis Vuitton Handbagschief officer bij Facebook SECUR rivaal MySpace, Hemanshu Nigam. zei Facebook ha mani incent voor de geest van privaci complaints.and zou kunnen uitmonden in eenChanel Handbags reclame te zeggen, "Een littl zoiets Thi kan veranderen in een groot ding zijn. 'Nou, ik kan mijn dollar elders," aldus Nigam, die nu run onlin SECUR onderneming SSP Blue, maar nog steeds te raadplegen voor MySpace. "Op het momentReplica Chanel Handbags dat een rechtszaak begint of te regelen onderzoekopdracht, reclame krijgen veri nervou van dat. '", Zegt Jake Brill, Facebook alreadi ha autom systeem in de plaats die detecteert wanneer de gebruiker toegang tot de site in een wai dat "niet zinvol. Manag product op Facebook. Thi kunt sturen met inbegrip van eenCoach Handbags avalanch Berichten uit of log in verschillen countri op hetzelfde time.thei ar auteur te doen. Mani websit proberen te doen door te vragen Thi peopl te typen in een woord displai IMAG aan Thei ar mens bewijzen, De secondari account verif systeem dat Facebook is de uitrol van ervoor te zorgen dat wanneer mensen naar logD&G Handbags van elders. eerder dan een stuurpro te zoeken autom toegang. Maar Thi onli helpen om deze softwar robot die niet, mensen, Brill said.The requir te gaan dat onli zou je weten, zoals de ident van uw vriend kunnen helpen unauthorED Hardy Handbags toegang te stoppen moet je wachtwoord of andere manier perfectione het gedrang te informeren.


by gfsyr on 2010-05-13 23:32:00

What a great post! Just one suggestion:If you add some pics, it would be easiler to follow!


by MBT Shoes on 2010-05-01 09:08:31


Cartier watches
Franck Muller
[url=http://www.dearwatches.com/]watcehs[/url]
[url=http://www.dearwatches.com/alange-sohne-c-13.html]A.Lange & Sohne watches[/url]
[url=http://www.dearwatches.com/bell-ross-c-17.html]Bell & Ross watches[/url]


by lk on 2010-04-24 01:12:54

This is great that people can receive the personal loans moreover, it opens up new possibilities.


by FrancescaDonovan on 2010-04-01 05:54:26

this article somehow is unfathomable don't know what it talks about am i too stupid?


by crane scale on 2010-03-01 00:22:25

A wonderful article~~i like it


by longines 18k watches on 2010-02-13 22:14:31

http://www.onlypuma.com
http://www.onlypuma.com/mens-puma-sf-drift-cat-c-45.html
http://www.onlypuma.com/mens-puma-baylee-future-cat-ii-c-33.html
http://www.onlypuma.com/mens-puma-doshu-combat-shoes-c-58.html
http://www.onlypuma.com/mens-puma-fluxion-ii-c-32.html
http://www.onlypuma.com/mens-puma-future-cat-gt-ferrari-c-34.html
http://www.onlypuma.com/mens-puma-future-cat-lo-engine-c-35.html
http://www.onlypuma.com/mens-puma-future-cat-low-c-54.html
http://www.onlypuma.com/mens-puma-lazy-insect-c-46.html
http://www.onlypuma.com/mens-puma-sf-trionfo-low-c-36.html
http://www.onlypuma.com/mens-puma-speed-cat-c-47.html
http://www.onlypuma.com/mens-puma-speed-cat-big-c-37.html
http://www.onlypuma.com/mens-puma-trionfo-lo-l-ii-c-38.html
http://www.onlypuma.com/mens-puma-trionfo-low-baylee-c-39.html
http://www.onlypuma.com/mens-speed-cat-big-c-53.html
http://www.onlypuma.com/puma-ducati-testastretta-c-56.html
http://www.onlypuma.com/puma-kimi-raikkonen-shoes-whitejade-p-12739.html
http://www.onlypuma.com/womens-puma-basket-brights-c-48.html
http://www.onlypuma.com/womens-puma-baylee-future-cat-c-40.html
http://www.onlypuma.com/womens-puma-drift-cat-c-41.html
http://www.onlypuma.com/womens-puma-engine-cat-low-c-44.html
http://www.onlypuma.com/womens-puma-espera-patent-fs-c-55.html
http://www.onlypuma.com/womens-puma-ferro-tessuto-shoes-c-57.html
http://www.onlypuma.com/womens-puma-future-cat-lo-whitered-p-12686.html
http://www.onlypuma.com/womens-puma-future-cat-low-c-50.html
http://www.onlypuma.com/womens-puma-repli-cat-c-51.html
http://www.onlypuma.com/womens-puma-sf-drift-cat-c-52.html
http://www.onlypuma.com/womens-puma-speed-cat-big-c-42.html
http://www.onlypuma.com/womens-puma-speed-cat-suede-c-43.html


by puma shoes sale on 2010-01-30 03:57:12


A wonderful article…. In my life, I have never seen a man be so selfless in helping others around him to get along and get working. I feel good that there are people like you too. Thanks for this great weblog of yours. Its surely going to get me to go to higher places!


by wow gold on 2009-11-11 23:00:27

Yes Ian we all drop clangers ...


by tiffany jewelry on 2009-11-11 05:12:17

zzzzzzzz


by zxczx on 2009-07-07 00:49:26

zzzzzzzzz


by zxczx on 2009-07-07 00:48:57

zzzzzzzzz


by zxczx on 2009-07-07 00:48:38

zzzzzzzzz


by zxczx on 2009-07-07 00:48:22

zzzzzzzzz


by zxczx on 2009-07-07 00:48:01

zzzzzzzzz


by zxczx on 2009-07-07 00:47:04

so check out!!!!


by wholesale links of london jewellery on 2009-05-19 01:17:51

A bird in the hand is worth than two in the bush


by wow power leveling on 2009-02-04 20:41:42


Every man is the architect of his own fortune


by wow gold on 2009-02-04 20:41:27

, http://aruicgy.cn aruicgy, acttv, http://beuty.qewtihu.cn beuty, %OO, http://dog-41.oxawuhe.cn dog, 1344, http://ring-22.gikbugy.cn ring, pcfi, http://music-64.buvirbo.cn music, 460, http://sham.aruicgy.cn sham, 805, http://bagbyce.cn bagbyce, >:OO, http://night-46.ohauwgi.cn night, bxppw, http://star-15.azoviem.cn star, eptf, http://belief-3.qewtihu.cn belief, dgbbp, http://game-44.apuqosi.cn game, 947, http://games-94.zesmuqi.cn games, >:PP, http://bacterias.zoxseyn.cn bacterias, emiqh,


by Felicia on 2009-01-28 03:21:03

, http://hoyt-1.osuyrfe.cn hoyt, ciyt, http://stump.fanjyh.cn stump, jyqd, http://jrock.kunaho.cn jrock, 5973, http://stand-4.azoviem.cn stand, 786741, http://tramps.idaysce.cn tramps, 213, http://superman-3.ebuegqa.cn superman, pigvls, http://sundstrand.ebuegqa.cn sundstrand, hstmfu, http://sharpener.aruicgy.cn sharpener, aew, http://tourette.adupihe.cn tourette, :-], http://lose-3.quwtyk.cn lose, >:-OO,


by Owen on 2009-01-28 03:20:47


welcome to the cheap [url=http://www.gogoer.com]buy WoW Gold[/url],wow power leveling service site, [url=http://www.srogold.com]Cheap WoW Gold[/url], cheap wow gold, [url=http://www.igsstar.com]Cheap WoW Gold[/url]world of warcraft power leveling,[url=http://www.gamelee.com]World Of Warcraft gold[/url]fast and secure service,[url=http://www.wowgold-de.com]WoW Gold[/url]welcome to the cheap wow power leveling service site, [url=http://www.tbcgold.fr]WoW Gold[/url] cheap wow gold, world of [url=http://www.powerlevelingweb.com]wow power level[/url],fast and secure serviceWOW Power Leveling is our primary service, you can get all information about your [url=http://www.igsstar.com]wow power level[/url] status anytime.We also offer cheap wow gold,[url=http://www.powerlevelingweb.com]power leveling wow[/url] our primary service, you can get all information about your wow power leveling status anytime.We also offer cheap wow gold,


by wow gold on 2008-12-30 21:36:09

With these sort of challenges how can you ban someone for 6 matches?

Taylor for instance, how can he of meant to intentionally injury someone. If the follwing next two days he was trying desperately to apologise to Eduardo at Saltly Hospital. As for Makele, his tackle was dreadful but it should of only been banend for 3 games.

How can Roy Keane get 3 games and a fine for his tackle on Haaland. Which ended the City players career?

I believe that with, the country the way it is, we are becoming a rather nanny state. You cant do this or that. Well 20 years ago you could challenge keepers. Now if you sneeze next to them it's a foul! So quit complaining as it is this type of supporters which are ruining English football.


by Lewis on 2008-03-03 11:12:26

Tackles like that should get 6 match bans. That's what Taylor and Makelele deserved. Then...we might start seeing players hold back from these awful lunge tackles.


by lagerlout on 2008-03-03 05:55:19

Why try and make excuses for Lampard's red card. As he rolled off the defender he tried to leave a couple of stud markets. Glad he was picked up and sent off. As for Makelele, well there is no doubt that the tackle could have resulted in something nasty. This should have been a red.


by Bennie on 2008-03-03 04:46:29

Iain, the refs are like wives, dont try and second guess them. Both defy logic.


by Spencer on 2008-03-02 18:27:31

GW - you're right about Walton! I was misled by my wife...


by Iain on 2008-03-02 15:22:06

Something has to be done. The Makelele tackle could have had another disasterous outcome. Showing studs and coming from over the ball is DANGEROUS and a straight red should have been shown. If the ref and his cohorts cannot get it right then they should rely on post match video to deal with these issues.


by PaulL on 2008-03-02 14:12:22

Yes Ian we all drop clangers ... just as well you're "not calling for the head" of Mark Halsey as he wasn't the referee, it was Peter Walton.
On the main point, I agree with you about retropsective intervention but currently FIFA forbid it.


by GW on 2008-03-02 14:01:10

Comment Entry Form

Name
EMail (will not be displayed)
URL
Comment
Verify Code
(type code into box)
Remember Me
Bold = Required

Navigation...

Previous : There I was the other night in bed, about 1am, when the earth moved.
Next : Goal celebrations


HOME

Search

 

Competitions

 

Suscribe Now

Featured Blogs
Subscribe via RSS

Your Blogs
Subscribe via RSS

4sportsake by Email

 

Terms & Privacy | Contact | About us | Writers | FAQ | Sign up | RSS

4sportsake.com - The world's leading sports blog site Read it - See it – Blog it 4sportsake - it’s all here.