Here is a link to an article from Henry Winter that appears in Tuesday’s Daily Telegraph. Winter says that when the Premiership kicks-off on Saturday we can expect to see the end of the ridiculous practice of players kicking the ball out whenever someone goes down – sometimes with injuries as severe as a broken nail.
Thank goodness. This “convention” has become abused over the years, was first seen at the European Championship in 1988 if I remember correctly. Now it looks like the Premiership is placing the decision whether to stop the play or not, back in the hand – or the mouth – of the only person who is supposed to decide – the referee.
Finally!! It is about time the powers that govern football (soccer) are cleaning up their sport. It was very difficult to get past all the simulation/diving in the WC. This move will hopefully begin the neccessary steps to shame the actors out of their ridiculous fients to slow, interrupt,draw penalties,and disgrace the game. This is what originally drew me to the EPL--"tough" players who didn't drop like nats too close to the porch light. I might go off here so please forgive me but this whole "simulation" thing gets under my skin! In most of our sports here in the US we are taught to play through the aches and pains. We expect our athletes to play hurt and to give it all to the team---leave it all out on the field. To see certain players simulate a massive aortic anuerism or gun shot wound to the knee and roll around like a Hollywood actor/stuntman is a disgrace!!! I want more yellow cards for these cheaters! Then they expect the other team to kick the ball out only to jump up when the trainers come out---urrrrggghhh! It makes me want to start a hooligan movement against fakes, simulators, divers and sissies who shame themselves and the sport! One more thing: GET RID OF THE STRETCHER FOR GOODNESS SAKE!! The only reason that should come out is if an ambulance is coming on the field. Let us rid ourselves of the sissy player for good!!!! WORLD UNITE AGAINST SISSIES! ok, I feel much better now thank you for your patience.
You know Bobby, I am a big Arsenal fan, and when they played Tottenham last year, I was certainly not pulling for Spurs. However, when the two players went down and Edgar Davids went on the run leading to the goal, I really didn't think what he did was wrong. The players seemed fine, and frankly, somebody could have caught Davids had they put the effort in. That was one of the few times I will say I didn't at all support Wenger's shouting - and certainly not at Jol, who could probably break Wenger in half (but certainly would not do anything like that, of course.)
Once they realized play had NOT stopped, they should have gone after the ball instead of yelling at the ref and complaining. If somebody goes Roy Keane on someone else and it's obvious, then the Ref should step in. Otherwise, play on!
I couldn't be happier. Now, let's see how the implementation goes.
For those interested in discussing possible rule changes and improvements such as these, check out:
http://handbagsattenpaces.blogspot. com
Well, as far as American sports, baseball players still make any athlete of any sport look like Ironmen. Talk about sissies. However, I digress...
When I started watching football a year ago I always thought that kicking the ball out was a sign of sportsmanship. I guess with anything else though abusing it really took the luster out of the act. I can understand why they are leaving it up to the officials.
Goth, I agree and disagree about the baseball thing. They pretty much sit/stand around for 90% of any game, but you never see diving in the big sports in America like baseball/football/basketball. Watch some of these baseball players take 90+ mph fastballs to the body or arms. They tighten up for a sec then run to first base. That is toughness that you would not expect to see in world football in its current state.
I agree with the new procedure, but unfortunately, nothing much is going to change. Refs tried to force play to continue when there was a minor injury, and that's when players started taking it upon themselved to kick the ball out, so we are simply back to where we were a few years ago. Players who want to stall and waste time can fake injury and the ref, in most cases, will still have to stop play to make sure there is no severe injury. Teams will be able to play on when they have a numerical advantage due to an opponent being down injured, but it will be difficult for refs to allow play to continue.
This problem can only be solved by instituting a play clock, and only then will players not benefit from faking injury; until then they're going to fake injury, everyone will know they're faking and there's not a thing anyone can do about it. Furthermore, if a player needs on-field treatment he should have to sit out for a couple of minutes to receive further treatment and get checked thoroughly.
I know it'll be unpopular, but I kinda agree with Goth. I like the idea of players taking sportsmanship into their own hands, doing the right thing because it is just that and not waiting for the ref to make them 'place nice.' It's really too bad that it's been abused so much that it'll have to go.
As you see with this post, people go off topic on your blog, because there’s nowhere else or go or they want raise something “right now”.
It might be interesting for you to set up an ongoing thread/ “Open Topics” where people
1. Can raise questions (but with no obligation for you to answer), comment on weekend games, etc
2. Set up topics that link to a discussion on their own blog. This helps keep your blog on topic and avoids issues you’d rather not respond to,
3. Generate some new questions, some humor and ideas for your FSWR spots,
4. Creates a replacement for the apparently demised FFF phone-in.
Do you want to give it a try? Do you have time?
As it is, your blog brings insight to the game we love and creates a mostly good natured link between supporters of different clubs that doesn’t happen in the UK. (Visit the BBC 606 board for a miserable experience). Thanks. (OK, that’s enough sucking up.)
LACF - I am not sure how it would work yet but I will put some thought to it. Maybe at the beginning of each week I could post a Bloggers Corner with a couple of thoughts and just let everyone take it where they like.
Anyone else have any thoughts on this?
I agree that in principle this is a good idea but I'm not sure how well it will work. "Venti vidi vidi" makes some very good points about how this procedure (ref blowing whistle) used to the be the way it was and it didn't work so why would it now, and I also agreed with his point on the play clock. I'm Canadian and I've only been a soccer fan for 5 years so at the risk of sounding like one of those North Americans trying to "Americanize" the game, why doesn't soccer instill a play clock? It's a very simple addition that would take care of the "injury time" and "extra time" issue which is never right and often very dubious, especially in big games (2nd Leg Champions League SF bt Chelsea-Liverpool in 2005 - 7 extra minutes!??, I just about fell off my bar stool in Dublin!). A play clock that is stopped at the referees discretion would be a very subtle yet innovative addition to the game. It does not need to be stopped on every foul, but at any lengthy stoppage (injuries). Other then this and players diving, I love this game.
A little structure and flushing it weekly sounds good.
If turns into an irritating or ugly thing you can always dump it, which is why I suggested keeping it as your item.
for those North American fans suggesting a play clock. That is not actually the issue with the kick out for injury issue. The issue is guys faking an injury in order to take an advantage awaay from the other team, Say for example on a breaking play in midfield.
My guess is that players will kick it out when there's really something wrong.
also, baseball is a far more dangerous game tha Europeans realize. Every pitch can literally kill the batter, particularly fastballs, especially fastballs pitched "...up and in..." as the saying goes. That means near or at the batter's head.
Chs228, I realize the kick out for an injury issue is more about taking away advantage and that needs to be stopped. However, a play clock stoppage for injury is still logical, and would not disrupt the flow of the game. To me, this is a relatively minor issue in an otherwise great game, but I've even heard similar comments from die-hard, lifelong football fans from England and other parts of Europe who feel a play clock stop on injuries would make sense. Therefore, I don't think it's just a North American view.
bmax. Fair point. Also, if more than a certain time passed, the guy has to go off and stay off for 5 minutes. Make it something painful in terms of a disadvantage.
Another idea, although harsh, is to compel a sub at a certain point.
I love that idea. I love to comment back and forth with people but so often we get off topic and I feel disrespectful for doing it. If you do manage to start up something like this I think tons of people would partcipate. (And of course the regulars such as LAFC, VVV, MrRedDevil, myself, and others would LOVE IT!)
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.
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