Case One: Gouging in Rugby
Stade Francais prop David Attoub has been banned from rugby for 70 weeks for gouging an opponent's eyes during a Heineken Cup match. His teammate Julien Dupuy had already been banned for 23 weeks for a similar offense in the same match but disciplinary officer Jeff Blackett says Attoub's behavior constituted "the worst act of contact with the eyes that I have had to deal with."
Tournament organizer European Rugby Cup imposed the punishment Tuesday, four days after finding Attoub guilty.
Attoub is banned until April 22, 2011, but can appeal against the sanction any time in the next three days.
Case Two : Deliberate Handball in Football
FRANCE'S captain, Thierry Henry, has escaped punishment for his infamous handball in the 2010 World Cup finals play-off against Ireland, FIFA has announced.
France was losing 1-0 at the Stade de France on November 18, having won the first leg 1-0, when Henry set up William Gallas in extra-time for what proved to be the decisive goal after illegally controlling the ball with his hand.
FIFA's disciplinary committee said it was powerless to punish the striker because the original misdemeanour had not been seen by match officials. ''There is no other legal text that would allow the committee to impose sanctions for any incidents missed by match officials,'' it said.
Ok, handball doesn't hurt anyone,gouging does and is the most disgusting foul in rugby if not in any sport....but the comparison show the difference in how sports are embracing video technology......FIFA, time to catch up with ERC who have shown in several recent cases that they are prepared to take a stand to defend the integrity of their competition and their sport
Tuesday 19 January 2010
Tuesday 12 January 2010
Hicks Jr , CRM and delicate souls
OK, he was wrong to vent his frustration in an e mail to a persistent fan and Hicks Jr has paid the price, pro tem, with his place on the Liverpool board. He is perfectly entitled to think what he wrote, indeed to type it in a late night giggle to himself, but pressing send was an unfortunate error. Not smart, but 'fess up, who hasn't done it, had a laugh and pressed delete.
Indeed who has done all of the above and then accidentally pressed send or indeed cc'd the subject of e mail vitriol accidentally.
Think for a second of the counter argument, how many fans had access to his e mail address and how much abuse had HE received.
I also smiled at the specific fan group involved, whose delicate soul of a spokesman who " couldn't bring himself to repeat the vile comments" included in said mail, as if he'd never heard swear words at Anfield
Indeed who has done all of the above and then accidentally pressed send or indeed cc'd the subject of e mail vitriol accidentally.
Think for a second of the counter argument, how many fans had access to his e mail address and how much abuse had HE received.
I also smiled at the specific fan group involved, whose delicate soul of a spokesman who " couldn't bring himself to repeat the vile comments" included in said mail, as if he'd never heard swear words at Anfield
Monday 11 January 2010
Togo & the Cup Of Nations in Angola
Much furore this weekend about the sad events in Angola which saw three people die and several injured in a gun attack on the Togolese national Team coach en route to Cabinda City for the African Cup of Nations and whether the event should be allowed to continue. Emmanuel Adebayor's incredibly lucid and descriptive interview with the BBC just hours after the event convey some sense of the horror. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/africa/8449611.stm
I am struck by the unfortunate approach of many British and European media and the willingness to involve South Africa as hosts to this year's FIFA World Cup in the same argument about security. Yes it's the same sport, same continent but totally different geographies .Cabinda to Cape Town is approximately the same distance as London to Tunis. Nobody cancelled the Ashes Tour
I also feel for the organisers CAF and the national federation of Angola but the question remains, why on earth was a high profile National sports steam allowed to drive through a region that was so obviously dangerous?, cost,convenience or rank carelessness? . The decision making process that allowed that trip to take place is where the questions should focus not on a small African state's ability to host a major event.
My view is that the event should continue and the decision on Togo's involvement should rest entirely with the players and team management, they are the ones who have suffered, it is their call. We often hear and use the expression , "It's only a game and nobody dies", in this case someone did die and the group responsible have achieved their goal, cancelling the tournament would only serve to amplify their message a hundredfold. Play the tournament and give Togo all the support they need either way.
I am struck by the unfortunate approach of many British and European media and the willingness to involve South Africa as hosts to this year's FIFA World Cup in the same argument about security. Yes it's the same sport, same continent but totally different geographies .Cabinda to Cape Town is approximately the same distance as London to Tunis. Nobody cancelled the Ashes Tour
I also feel for the organisers CAF and the national federation of Angola but the question remains, why on earth was a high profile National sports steam allowed to drive through a region that was so obviously dangerous?, cost,convenience or rank carelessness? . The decision making process that allowed that trip to take place is where the questions should focus not on a small African state's ability to host a major event.
My view is that the event should continue and the decision on Togo's involvement should rest entirely with the players and team management, they are the ones who have suffered, it is their call. We often hear and use the expression , "It's only a game and nobody dies", in this case someone did die and the group responsible have achieved their goal, cancelling the tournament would only serve to amplify their message a hundredfold. Play the tournament and give Togo all the support they need either way.
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