Ronaldo seems to have become the designated bad boy for England's loss.
The basis of it seems to be that Ronaldo was wrong for getting upset at Rooney stomping on Carvalho's goolies.
What was he suppossed to do - what would you do? Stand back and do nothing.
If Carvalho had done the same to Rooney are we suppossed to believe that the other English players would have had no reaction? It was reaction that anyone with a pulse would have.
The problem is, is there any alternative to this seemingly bizarre system where the World Cup is in large part decided completely and absolutely by the handing out or not handing out of cards.
The system seems to work O.K. over the course of a season, but in a knockout tournament they should try something like first have Rooney sit out for 5 minutes, then for 10 minutes, then for 15. Under now circumstances should a player be banned from the next game based upon two fouls. Terry's yellow today was ridiculous. Without some system of lesser penalties, there is too much luck.
Couldnt agree more.
Rooney was out of order, Ronaldo expressed his displeasure and Rooney shoved him. If he hadnt of shoved him, he would probably only got a yellow. He was also using some very colorful language toward Ronaldo.
Earth to Rooney....
Retaliation=Red...
The cards have been overused in some of the games, but I think that the last few sets of games, the referees have called most things right.
Last edited by ibroxloyal1 on July 1st at 12:31 PM.
word on the street is that ronaldo winked at his bench when rooney got sent off...
if SAF has a hair on his balls...he'll sell ronaldo...it ain't happenin', but how on earth can he possibly be embraced by Man U fans now? Rooney should have gotten a yellow...but this WC (as entertaining as its been) has been ruined by Blatter and these damn cards...
Bobby are you using my comment from the last blog to start a new blog, I though I was always wrong. Maybe I should sue you for stealing my ideas lol.
Anyhow, Ref's are doing what they were told, they should not be blamed for all the cards, try searching for the problem somewhere else, like FIFA.
About Rooney, maybe what he did was an accident (stepping on the family treasure) but you can't push a player like that and don't expect to hit the shower early. Everyone by know knows what kind of a player he is and they are keeping an eye on him waitting for the smallest mistake. This is exactly what happened today and maybe it's time for Rooney and his supporters to think about what he is doing and then go blame someone else.
where i come from you only get a red for punching someone or tripping a guy in on a one on one with the keeper. Rooney screwed up...his temper is well documented...but these cards are ruining the cup...i don't think he looked down and thought to himself "i'm gonna stomp on his nuts"...he just lost his temper...but my opinion is that it was harsh...at full speed it doesn't look as bad as the replay...besides...the ref got him for pushing ronaldo.
Bobby I was actually talking about this statement (If Carvalho had done the same to Rooney are we suppossed to believe that the other English players would have had no reaction? It was reaction that anyone with a pulse would have).
Plus have you gone back to read what I said about your geography statement? Plus I bet I know more about geography then you so don't talk ####.
And yeah, you still did not answer my question about good/bad fans. Are you afraid that I may be right? Again.
Bobby,
I'm not a ref, but I'd have sent off Rooney for the stomp in domestic competition, no doubt about it. However, with so much riding on a decision like that, and the possibility it wasnt completely vindictive, I could see the ref issuing only a yellow because of the gravity of the game... Just a thought. I dont think it was going to be red until he started shoving Ronaldo.
dripac - I am no more responsible for fans behaviour than you are so there is nothing to respond to. You should take your point up with the reporters and the newspapers.
i can see we are not going to see eye to eye...i'm not thinking straight right now anyways...but we keep watching it and i can't help thinking the ref could have given a yellow, a stern warning, and gone from there...
btw-france are going to win...
England fans have got to be far more pissed off at Rooney than Ronaldo. Wasn't this supposed to be "a time for making friends"? I really can't see how they could play together again, so SAF might as well go ahead and sell Ronaldo to Real. Since when does anyone get to stomp on another's unit? It's right up there with Schuhmacher's tackle or Rikjaard's spitting. England fans should be embarrassed (and hopefully there's no rioting).
Santinel.
He's not done alot for a couple of reasons...
Lack of match fitness and lack of a partnering striker are the main ones.
I actually think England played better after Becks went off, and really kicked it up when Rooney went off... Credit to them, but the PK issue has to be sorted... Any game of the last four rounds of the WC could go to PK's are England are Dire at it, complete bollox.
I mean, the thing about it is that is there some rule about running up to the referee or not? Isn't the captain supposed to be the one to discuss whatever needs to be discussed? Ronaldo is not the captain, but I mean isn't it a little bit odd that Rooney gets thrown off. I've seen Rooney play quite a bit and one thing is for sure, the guy seems to never, and I mean never, take a dive. He's always fighting through tackles. If eveyone played like him the ref's job would be a piece of cake, because the only time Rooney hits the ground is when he has a broken foot!
And yet in a match where its parctially the summer olympics of diving, ROONEY IS SENT OFF!
Dirpak,
How many fans did Croatia or the other countries you mention send to the WC?
England have over 60,000 right there.
The only two incidents I'm aware of is one where a few guys threw some chairs and bottles and another after the German fans goaded the English fans. The second incident involved the riot police indescriminately going in and arresting ALL patrons of a couple of bars - anly to be released a few hours later. ONly 3 were charged with anything. Incidently, while the police were doing this the England fans did not cause trouble, they waited their turn to be marched away.
No real fighting has occured at all, or have I missed something? Not like it used to be in the good old days.
Personally, with all the nationalism/patriotism from all groups of fans, I think overall the fans behavior has been excellent!
Last edited by ibroxloyal1 on July 1st at 1:18 PM.
Bobby maybe I should take my point somewhere else but I'v decided to take it to you and I have complete right to do that, and I know you agree with those reporters, after all you are one of them.
Other thing is that you are talking about that geography thing and you did not take the time to go read what I wrote about it. It only shows how ignorent you are.
Did I mention that you stole my point about Ronaldo vs. Rooney (last statement in this blog).
One more thing, I bet you picked Brazil last night in TTG, just like you picked USA over Czech after which I stopped atching your show. This just shows what kind of an "expert" you are.
Actually I like it here, I love to see your superion inteligence on display, even though sport commentators are not knows for their knowledge in general.
Well you can call me all you want but maybe you should think about who you are supporting right now and think about all the good things he predicted for countries like England, Brazil, USA. I may be what you say I am, even though I doubt that, because if I was I would not be able to get my PhD at age of 27.
I know one thing, this Bobby guy, what ever he says about outcome of the game, bet against it. The man has no idea about football.
Dripac,
I dont get your "personalities" statement. England have 60,000 fans there and three arrests excluding drunkenness.
I think you are tarring all "Brits/English" with the same brush, and looking back to the bad days of hooliginism of the 80's, etc.
I dont get your point. There were actually direct warnings from several countries, including Croatia and England of groups of fans hell bent on trouble. England put a special banning order in, where known trouble makers had to give up their passports so they couldnt travel. I dont know if that happened with other countries, but I can tell you that there were serious concerns from FIFA and the German police of possible trouble.
Now, that said, can we get back to enjoying the world cup, and drop this "arrogant Brits" stuff?
ibroxloyal1 I don't want to get too deep into this all #### but try reading sources from different countries. I'm not rellying only on one countrys papers or one language. Because of this fact I think that I can trust my sources more then I can trust to what I read only on this website.
It is known fact that larger counties always put down smaller countries, and this is no different. Because of the fact that England hooligans ruled the world 20-30 years ago, England people, papers and fans should be the last one to say something about other countries fans. It just makes no sense. And whats even worse is that everyone else is listening to them because of such a large influence that they have on the rest of the world.
No ones fans deserved to be feared more then English fans and trying to move that jinks to someone else is wrong. Thats just my way of looking at things.
Dripac,
While I agree with you, our fans reputation preceeds us... We're notorious, no doubt.
However, what I was trying to say was that the known hooligans were held at home, so German officials knew we had the potential trouble makers under control. They were unsure of other countries, especially Eastern European countries, that was noted as a real fear by the German authorities.
This is nothing against Croatia or S&M or any other country, purely observation based on concerns raised by the German authorities, not the tabloids in England.
Look, when I said fans have behaved well, I didnt just mean England fans. I personally think that all fans from all nations have been excellent. From that perspective, touch wood, this has been an excellent competition. I have several mates over in Germany who now have new friends from all four corners of the world... Wish I was there...
@Pmindiola:
It is, and part of the footballing world is the behavior of the fans - thats been a huge problem for years, and I'm really glad that no major trouble has occured from any countries fans. I'm hoping the *true* fans have finally reclaimed the game from the thugs.
Last edited by ibroxloyal1 on July 1st at 2:11 PM.
Dripac - to say that someone of Bobby's experience in football knows little about the game points to your own ignorance. Knowing what I do about Bobby and his football intellect, I would put money on his predictions every time....But this is a game, not an exact science. How many 'experts' picked Brazil to beat France? You gonna cut all them down too? It takes a brave man to put his predictions out there for all to see - I would've liked to have seen YOUR picks before the finals. Bobby is man enough to own up to his errors without excuses. Cutting him down for making those predictions is just a show of your own ignorance....And having a Ph.D means you're intelligent enough to meet the requirements, it doesn't mean you're not an ####.
dripac, we live in a free world, everyone is entitled to their oppinions and boby has his. I'm not American nor do I have access to most of his work.
But for some reason I allways stop here after a game because I enjoy reading what he writes, and even though I sometimes don't agree with his views, I respect and accept them.
Now tell me, why would a portuguese football (soccer) fan read oppinions from someone right across the ocean (and belive me, we have our share of "experts" around here)?
Because their good. Wich is different from beeing right, because no one ever is. If anyone could forsee the results from any game in advance he'd be rich by now.
There was so much diving by C. Ronaldo and co. that I thought it was a swim meet. It doesn't help that Marcello Balboa continues to blither about how effective the flops are. I especially liked "Ronaldo sold that well--that's the art of soccer" Until FIFA and the referees start penalizing the flopping the games will continue to be two minutes of activity followed by two minutes of rolling around on the turf after every close encounter with another player. Not condoning Rooney's stomp but the earlier post was right--he does not flop. I think most of these WC players have dual memberships--FIFA and the Screen Actor's Guild.
Bobby, I absolutely laud your knowledge and insight into the beautiful game, and I would rather watch one FSWR show than the Super Bowl (and I do like American football), but I just don't know how you've arrived at this conclusion that Rooney's stomp was intentional. I don't know how half the articles I've read were written by people who are convinced the stomp was intentional. I am going absolutely mad. As soon as I saw that card, I don't remember much from the 5 minutes after - I was literally that shocked - but I do remember the replays. I just don't know how you all are so convinced. I never will know. I saw no intent. None. Not criticizing you or anyone else, but I do disagree... strongly. Everyone is just so certain. Sorry, I had to say something. My weekend is over for me. Happy f'ing Fourth of July
Last edited by USAenglandfan on July 1st at 5:09 PM.
So, you have a PhD! Good for you!
What does that have to do with football? Oh yeah, you're just trying to prove that you're not an ####! Well, YOU FAILED!
Before you go though, I'm sure we all would like to know your predictions for the Semi-Finals. By the way, who do you regard an 'expert' in football. Surely he got ALL his predictions right!
Ive watched the Rooney incident at least 30 times on TiVo and I still cant see how people think it was accidental. He was CLEARLY looking at Carvalho when he stomped. Without question.
BTW Bets up for the next England player to be ejected in a major international tournament. England's had ejection in their last 3 games of the knockout phase of 2 world cups and the euro 2004.
SAF would be an #### to sell Ronaldo he's by far ManU's best player, just because "Looney Rooney" can't handle the pressure of the world cup is no reason to sell ur future world player of the year get real...Rooney is a ticking timebomb and he errupts when it can hurt his team most, u cannot stomp on another player like that and then u can't just shove someone if they say something, I believe it was Andy Gray who said this this afternoon on SkySports World Cup Report and its very true.." The world cup is a test of more than just football skills, its about physical and mental strength also and u need to keep ur composure emotionally at this level and Rooney failed to do that" or something along those lines anyway u guys can all hate Ronaldo now, but if he would put on a United Jersey tommorow and score a goal against Liverpool or Chelsea or Arsenal you Man U fans would all love him again so i'm sure United fans will get over it
USAEnglandfan - I don't want to give an indication that I am, or have ever been a stomper, but in my opinion there is one clear sign that it was intentional. Rooney is semi-stumbling, to recover your balance you usually lift your feet - Rooney's leg goes straight out at about 45 degrees and makes contact with Carvalho's crown jewels.
Whats next for the Roon. He's a stomper, he swears like a sailor at refs, impetuous, hot tempered but extremely talented. Some one needs to reign this kid in before he goes all Cantona v Crystal Palace on some player or fans
If you purposefully stomp a man's groin, it is a RED CARD.
It is always a RED CARD, and it always has to be a RED CARD.
Anyone who doesn't understand that is, less than intelligent.
If there are any Man U fans that want Ronaldo gone because he stuck up for his countryman, then they are less than intelligent as well.
Is Ronaldo supposed to ignore a lifetime's love and loyalty for his country and his people because a bunch of people he doesn't even know are playing favorites? That's ridiculous.
Last edited by gatorkeith76 on July 1st at 7:18 PM.
Hm, I just wanted to say that...though Rooney rarely dives, he did dive in a Man Utd game against Arsenal last season (or the season before that). I can't remember, but it happened in the box and he "sold" it and he won the penalty for Man U.
But..to be fair to him on that, since then he has been pretty good about avoiding diving. But he has done it in the past. Now if he'd only translate that to controlling his temper...
Now, C. Ronaldo on the other hand, dives at will. I am another person who wants to vomit every time Balboa says things like "he sold that dive." Is this how they try to get people to love this game? It's turning people like me, a die-hard soccer fan, clean off. I hate to see good players (and C. Ronaldo is a good player) resort to this #### when they feel like they will lose the ball in a challenge. Ronaldo from Brazil tried it today against France and that was so pathetic, I actually laughed.
But it also adds fuel to the fire about the issuing of cards. Diving doesn't help it at all. They keep talking about keeping the "flow of the game" but with all the diving and theatrics, I wonder. A second, maybe even a third ref would help, but that is a whole other blog topic.
Definate red for Roon...
But lets see what we've got here...
Tremendous 20 year old kid.
The nation on England is on his shoulders.
He's getting no service, and having to track back.
He's frustrated
He's Angry
He's trying to make something happen.
He lost his temper.
Rooneys problem - absolutely.
The blame lays with one Sven Gormless Ericksson.
I feel sorry for him, TBO, I hope the English gutter press doesnt screw him over...
I must start by saying I am not an England fan, but I do like many of their players.
Ibrox, I absolutely agree. Rooney was betrayed by his Manager's squad selection and his tactics.
All of that led to OVERWHELMING pressure on the boy, while he got virtually NO HELP from superstars like Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard.
NONE.
I think Sven was afraid to sit David Beckham, I think he was afraid to tell David Dein "no" when it came to Theo Walcott, and I think Sven was afraid to be a leader of men.
Sven was greatly justified by his selection of Owen Hargreaves because he played very well. But he also deserves almost ALL of the blame for this team's performance.
His HORRIBLE squad selection led to almost all of his problems.
We all had to listen to this #### about "Theo has great pace, pace is very good in football," but Theo obviously wasn't fast enough to out run his seat on the bench and make it on the park, even though they absolutely NEEDED another healthy striker. How many goals did Sven leave at home?
He completely SCREWED over English fans because he was in David Dein's pocket. There is NO OTHER REASON why Walcott would be on that squad. The only people that were aided by that were ARSENAL.
Last edited by gatorkeith76 on July 1st at 8:28 PM.
Sometimes you just hafta agree to disagree..mr McMahon and dripac c'mon, no need for personal insults.
Especially for someone to insult Bobby's analytical skills..man i watch FSWR just to hear his reports..brilliant stuff and really helps me to keep in touch when med school doesn't permit the time.
Anyway..Well said Ibrox...too much pressure and lack of supply. England should look into pushing Beckham into a CM position and leave either Lampard or Gerrard off, or use Gerrard as a stiker if they're that passionate about having them both on. Lampard and Gerrard together in the same place= has and always will be a bad idea. They both play very similarly, and neither are providing the ball for the striker adequately. That's the difference between Beckham/J Cole and the remainder of the english midfield. Yet again england shows their lack of strikers...SGE...good riddance.
As for incident..very circumstantial and subjective..some refs would've given a yellow and others a red. What does make me angry is that while that incident has been penalised and resulted in perhaps a game-changing decision, Henry and Figo were not even warned by FIFA for their actions (headbutt and overreacting/diving). What is FIFA trying to promote here for the younger generation like myself? Man this world cup and FIFA's rules/decisions are becoming a joke!
I am the soccer analyst for the Fox Soccer Report and appear twice a week - every Monday and Friday at 10:00 EST. I have also been a regular contributor to the Fox Soccer Channel website since the summer of 2004. Over the last twenty years I have contributed to various radio and television programs throughout North America as well writing about the game for newspapers, magazines and websites.
Thank you to all who take time to visit this blog and especially to those of you who post your comments and thoughts.
PS - If you have questions please post them on the regular Monday blog. I am unable to answer e mails posted to the inbox on this site.
And one more thing. If you have questions or complaints or compliments about programming please contact Fox Soccer Channel or Fox Sports World Canada directly. I have no control over what the stations televise.
