m20gull
Well-known member
So deliberately kicking an opponent twice is no longer a red card. I must have missed that rule change.
Who is surprised ? Like anything else , one rule for the rich and powerful and another for the small guys
Consistent? Yes, Barton found not guilty of stamping, Stephens' appeal summarily rejected, Hemed found guilty quicker than the FA have ever previously moved in history, and Lukaku found not guilty of kicking a Brighton player when he clearly did... ... ... ... hmmmm ... ... ... I would say there's definitely a pattern emerging there.
Ridiculous analogy, to the vast majority of the 78% of teams that aren’t in the Premier League we are rich and powerful!!
Don't forget Murphy's slip which was more baffling than any of the above. I think that will remain the lad's one and only sending off in his career.
Is there a way the club can ask for further details on the panels decision. Nothing will change but at least they should make their feelings felt.
The inconsistency is frustrating, but why should the club get involved? It could be construed that the club are trying to get Lukaku banned; that may not help our cause should we want to loan one of Man U's players someday.
There's a potential broader issue at play here (and by all accounts call me a conspiracy theorist).
When the ref missed it panel (hereafter RMIP) was introduced at the start of the season, it had to be seen to be a success. Therefore the rulings on players such as Hemed vindicate the decision to set up the RMIP, and so the ban was given to great fanfare.
At present the EPL are in discussions with broadcasters in relation to a new TV deal, commencing 2019/20. Clearly they want the best price, for a competitive product. It will not help negotiations if City effectively have the league sown up by mid December, which there is a danger of happening (United's next three fixtures are Watford and Arsenal away, and City at home).
Personally I thought Lukaku stank the pitch out on Saturday, but, overall, I suspect he would be more of an asset than a liability if available for those three fixtures. There could be 'soft' pressure put on the RMIP by both the EPL and broadcasters to give Lukaku the benefit of the doubt over Saturday's act of petulance, as otherwise it increases the (already high) probability of City walking away with the league relatively early, with implications for viewing figures and the TV deal.
I'm off to the grassy knoll now, with evidence that the moon landings were fake.
There's a potential broader issue at play here (and by all accounts call me a conspiracy theorist).
When the ref missed it panel (hereafter RMIP) was introduced at the start of the season, it had to be seen to be a success. Therefore the rulings on players such as Hemed vindicate the decision to set up the RMIP, and so the ban was given to great fanfare.
At present the EPL are in discussions with broadcasters in relation to a new TV deal, commencing 2019/20. Clearly they want the best price, for a competitive product. It will not help negotiations if City effectively have the league sown up by mid December, which there is a danger of happening (United's next three fixtures are Watford and Arsenal away, and City at home).
Personally I thought Lukaku stank the pitch out on Saturday, but, overall, I suspect he would be more of an asset than a liability if available for those three fixtures. There could be 'soft' pressure put on the RMIP by both the EPL and broadcasters to give Lukaku the benefit of the doubt over Saturday's act of petulance, as otherwise it increases the (already high) probability of City walking away with the league relatively early, with implications for viewing figures and the TV deal.
I'm off to the grassy knoll now, with evidence that the moon landings were fake.
To me there's no denying that it is an odd decision that no action will be taken - if any significant physical contact had been made it could have been quite nasty. But on the positive side, Bong did not wail and whine like a three year old at the time of the incident, and our manager has not used it as an excuse for a public post match moan-fest (like someone I could mention). Both have behaved with impeccable professionalism, and I find that quite refreshing.