Just what is wrong with Arsene Wenger's head?

[The Large One]

Uefa charges Eduardo for 'diving'

Uefa has charged Arsenal's Eduardo for "deceiving the referee" after he appeared to dive to win a penalty in the Champions League win over Celtic. European football's governing body could ban the Croatian striker for up to two games when its disciplinary body examines the case on 1 September.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger called the decision a "complete disgrace". "It singles out a player to be a cheat and that is not acceptable. We will not accept the way Uefa have treated this."

If Eduardo is suspended he would miss Standard Liege away on 16 September and the home match with Olympiacos on 29 September.

And Wenger added: "I believe you can debate whether it is a penalty or not. But this charge implies that with intent and with a desire to cheat the referee, Eduardo did act. Having seen again the pictures, nothing is conclusive on that."

There appeared to be no contact between Eduardo and Celtic goalkeeper Artur Boruc but referee Manuel Gonzalez still gave a penalty midway through the first half. After Eduardo converted the resulting spot kick, the Gunners went on to win 3-1 at the Emirates Stadium. They won 5-1 on aggregate to secure a spot in the group stages.

Scottish FA chief executive Gordon Smith has called for the Brazil-born Eduardo to be banned over Wednesday's penalty incident at the Emirates.

"Eduardo showed disrespect to the game by his actions," he said. "We have shown courage to use retrospective punishment when it comes to simulation. I'd urge Uefa to do so. Since I came into post I have raised the issue of simulation time and time again - both here in Scotland and with Fifa and Uefa. I don't think that I have received enough support in my efforts to eradicate what I believe to be one of the most serious threats to the integrity of football. Last night showed exactly why we must take this issue seriously. Everything that can be done to stamp it out must be done. Starting right now."

Uefa president Michel Platini believes additional assistant referees behind each goal line would combat diving. He said: "One day players will give up simulating because refs will see them. I am convinced that you have referees nearby, then you will stop this."

Celtic had travelled to the Emirates 2-0 down from the first leg in Glasgow, when Arsenal had been the better side but had scored with a deflection and an own goal. The first goal in London, then, was likely to be crucial and Boruc was incensed when Gonzalez pointed to the spot.

"I see no reason why we cannot use technology to assist referees," said Smith. "We need a serious debate on these issues. Everyone in football has a responsibility to set the right example to our youngsters. We can talk all we want about Fair Play campaigns, but taking action would be a much more powerful deterrent and would send the right message to players everywhere."

Celtic midfielder Massimo Donati is another who is keen to see Uefa use video evidence.

"If it is clear on TV, then Uefa must act and ban him," said Donati. "I think he should get a two-match ban because it wasn't a penalty. I told him that and everyone in the Celtic team told him that."

Donati believes Eduardo should be treated the same way as Lithuania striker Saulius Mikoliunas, who was punished for diving against Scotland at Hampden Park in September 2007. After that occasion Uefa used video evidence before giving Mikoliunas a two-match ban.

 

[Tony Meolas Loan Spell]

Wenger is notoriously myopic. But coz he is French he gets away with it. Oh and he looks like a paedophile.

 

[Superphil]

It is a well written piece, some good comments from Gordon Smith there too. We had the pleasure of meeting Gordon a year or so ago, he told us then he was going to introduce retrospecive suspensions from video evidence in Scottish football, and that this idea was completely rejected by Platini (and the rest of the suits) at the UEFA meeting.

For me, the idea of 2 extra assistant referees behind the goal line is something I have been suggesting for about 5 years, it would be easy to implement, cheap too, and every single football match could benefit from it, not just top flight or professional teams.

Oh, and yes, Wenger has retracted back into his world of myopia, if he can't see that is 100% cheating, then perhaps he too is some kind of a cheating liar.

 

[keaton]

I'd be pretty pissed off if I was Wenger. It's by no means the worst dive ever, it's not even that bad a dive yet this the first case high-profile case of a player being punished for it.

 

[sam86]

I came here hoping for a funny picture of Wengers head

 

[Superphil]

I'd be pretty pissed off if I was Wenger. It's by no means the worst dive ever, it's not even that bad a dive yet this the first case high-profile case of a player being punished for it.

Eh? How can you say there is a difference? ALL diving [in football] is wrong, doesn't matter how "bad" it is. In this instance it was amongst the very worst, it was a qualifying match for the Champions League, the most lucrative sports event in the world. It was a dive that won Arsenal a penalty from which they scored, and ultimately went on to win and qualify. Frankly, I would love to see Eduardo banned for LIFE for that. Don;t for one minute think I am anti Arsenal, I am not, and I am if anything a Rangers fan when it comes to Scottish football, but I really am sick of cheating in our great game.

 

[Taybha]

i love arsene even when he knows he is wrong he convinces himself he is right and sticks by his gunners. I fear the past may catch up with him on this 1 though

 

[Kinky Gerbil]

Much how I dont like him does seem a little unfair on Arsenal that the have been punished when Man United, Chelsea and Liverpool players have done it solidly for two years and got away with it.

 

[keaton]

Eh? How can you say there is a difference? ALL diving [in football] is wrong, doesn't matter how "bad" it is. In this instance it was amongst the very worst, it was a qualifying match for the Champions League, the most lucrative sports event in the world. It was a dive that won Arsenal a penalty from which they scored, and ultimately went on to win and qualify. Frankly, I would love to see Eduardo banned for LIFE for that. Don;t for one minute think I am anti Arsenal, I am not, and I am if anything a Rangers fan when it comes to Scottish football, but I really am sick of cheating in our great game.

1, Why did you tell there can't be a difference and then say it's the "very worst" kind? I meant that he could justify himself as saying he was trying to avoid contact with the keeper, last season that was the defence of both Gerrard and Ronaldo for dives
2, What has money got to do with anything?
3, I think diver's should get long bans but why is this any different from all the times Gerrard, Ronaldo, Drogba, Klinsmann, Van Nistelrooy did it?

 

[Simster]

Eh? How can you say there is a difference? ALL diving [in football] is wrong, doesn't matter how "bad" it is. In this instance it was amongst the very worst, it was a qualifying match for the Champions League, the most lucrative sports event in the world. It was a dive that won Arsenal a penalty from which they scored, and ultimately went on to win and qualify. Frankly, I would love to see Eduardo banned for LIFE for that. Don;t for one minute think I am anti Arsenal, I am not, and I am if anything a Rangers fan when it comes to Scottish football, but I really am sick of cheating in our great game.

There has to be a better way of addressing the problem than making a scapegoat out of one player.

It's about time FIFA pulled their fingers out and implemented your 2 referees idea or even video reffing.

 

[beorhthelm]

what is a complete disgrace is the cheating and diving. glad the authorities have started to do something about it. if a commiting a serious foul leads to a card and suspensions, then so should faking a serious foul.

3, I think diver's should get long bans but why is this any different from all the times Gerrard, Ronaldo, Drogba, Klinsmann, Van Nistelrooy did it?

i think its a new initiative and as it was in the Champs Leauge its brought under UEFA. the FA/Premier should follow suit.

 

[Gazwag]

Isnt it funny that the season Ronaldo leaves United UEFA gets hot on diving.

I actually feel a bit sorry for Eduardo. In true Wenger style I didnt see the indicent, but after his horror injury last year I dont blame him for jumping over a tackle.

 

[Superphil]

1, Why did you tell there can't be a difference and then say it's the "very worst" kind? I meant that he could justify himself as saying he was trying to avoid contact with the keeper, last season that was the defence of both Gerrard and Ronaldo for dives
2, What has money got to do with anything?
3, I think diver's should get long bans but why is this any different from all the times Gerrard, Ronaldo, Drogba, Klinsmann, Van Nistelrooy did it?

1. Yes, I know, slight contradiction in terms, sorry, I meant that if you believe there is a difference, then this is of the worst kind. The arguement that he (and Gerrard and Ronaldo) was trying to get of the goalies way is rubbish. If that was the case he would not immedeatly look to the referee with his arms in the air protesting it should be a penalty. If he had any decency he would pick himself up, shake his head to the referee and refuse to take the kick. Easier still, he could just pass the ball to the goalie if he was forced to take it.
2. Money has everything to do with football, especially at that level. If by some chance Celtic could have won the game, it would have been worth millions to them, instead, after an instance of Cheating, Arsenal now get those millions.
3. Yes, 100% every single one of them should be banned for the rest of the season, for 12 months, or even life, no exceptions at all, it is my pet hate in football, and the hatred does not diminsh regardless of who does it, even if it was one of our own players. If the authorities made it clear this would happen, then players would have to repsect it. And even the clubs could write it into players contracts, "if you get banned for a season for diving [cheating] you won't get paid your £150K a week". I would imagine that would stop it pretty much immedeatly.

 

[Superphil]

Isnt it funny that the season Ronaldo leaves United UEFA gets hot on diving.

I actually feel a bit sorry for Eduardo. In true Wenger style I didnt see the indicent, but after his horror injury last year I dont blame him for jumping over a tackle.

Eduardo made no effort to protest that though did he, he walked up to the spot with the ball in his hand like he was on a mission, cheating diving wanker

 

[Kinky Gerbil]

There has to be a better way of addressing the problem than making a scapegoat out of one player.

It's about time FIFA pulled their fingers out and implemented your 2 referees idea or even video reffing.

I agree, Im trying to think of any other time a player has been pulled up by UEFA for diving to win a pen?

 

[Gazwag]

Eduardo made no effort to protest that though did he, he walked up to the spot with the ball in his hand like he was on a mission, cheating diving wanker

As I said I havent seen it but with the rewards available in football nowadays why should he.

After all, say in a few years time we are in the play off final to get to the premiership and our player jumps over a tackle in the box and the ref gives a penalty, what does that player do or our fans say. The prize is to big sometimes.

 

[Superphil]

After all, say in a few years time we are in the play off final to get to the premiership and our player jumps over a tackle in the box and the ref gives a penalty, what does that player do or our fans say. The prize is to big sometimes.

It'll never happen, we're going up as f***ing Champions!


But yes, you are right, but only because there is no deterent, if a years ban and no wages was at stake, it would be entirely different

 

[Gazwag]

Very true (the first sentence of course ) but as Simster says it needs a fundamental change in the rules to stop it. maybe even an extra ref in each half as an advisor to the main ref.

 

[drew]

Once again there are some very dumb comments on an NSC thread. I don't think anyone is really defending Eduardo saying it wasn't actually a dive, whether or not he was anticipating contact.

The problem with Uefa's actions is that it is a knee jerk reaction to one incident that has been blown out of all proportion. Uefa have had many years and many incidents of players deceiving the referee whether to get a penalty or to hold up play with a fake injury yet they have done nothing about it.

In this case what they should have said is that from now on, they will consider the charge of deceiving the referee for all televised games and anyone guilty will receive, for example, a 5 match ban in that competition. To single out Eduardo is wrong especially when there are cosiderably more notable cases.

I would like to see diving driven out of the game as well as many other cheats, shirt pulling, faking injury, keepers coming off their lines for penalties. However, Uefa and Fifa haven't the will to take it seriously.

As for the idea of two additional officials behind the goal, what makes you think they are going to get it right. Referees make mistakes all the time, along with their linesman, just ask the Palace scum, so I don't think another ref will make any difference.

I think on the radio the other day Steve Claridge said something about him and another 4 experts reviewed about 50 penalty decisions. In 40 they agreed with the ref, in 5 they disagreed and in the remaining 5 they couldn't reach a consensus.

As for video refs, I don't want to start watching a game of football at 3.00pm on a Saturday and still be ther come 6.00 because of video interruptions and sitting around wating for a decision. It's ludicrous and I suspect that most of the people that advocate it are those that sit on their backsides in front of TV to watch football rather than go to live games.

 

[drew]

I actually feel a bit sorry for Eduardo. In true Wenger style I didnt see the indicent, but after his horror injury last year I dont blame him for jumping over a tackle.

I am not necessarily going to defend Wenger as in the past he has been a bit myopic but how can you criticize him when he was probably over 50 yrds from the incident and the ref who was closer, gave a pen. He has subsequently stated he didn't think it was a penalty.