I did not do it

It has been a fabulous week for our beautiful game. As per usual we have had our fair share of controversy. The big two issues this week involve a stamp and a handball. Two totally different issues but in a strange way they both had the same outcome as players claimed innocence. Let me below, lay out my opinion on the big talking points of the week and try and make some clarity on the moments that once again got people talking and so much more this week.

If I may, just let me take you back to Stamford Bridge last Tuesday night and a superb game between Chelsea and Liverpool in the 2nd leg of the Capital One Cup semi final. Having drawn the first leg one all, the tie was there for either side to win and you always knew their was going to be plenty of incident. What I did not expect was an act of thuggery in my opinion by Diego Costa not just once but twice in the game. He is known well as a volatile character at the best of times but his stamp on Liverpool’s Emre Can was cheap and the act of a coward. 

People have been on social media this week with photo’s trying to prove Costa’s innocence. But I am afraid he was 100% guilty in my eyes, the only problem was that referee Michael Oliver failed to see it because of bad positioning by the official. Some in the media would have us believe that the Chelsea player did not intentionally stamp, as his eyes were totally on the ball, that is absolute crap in my mind. He knew exactly what he was doing and I for one am glad the FA also saw it this way and threw out his appeal. The appeal process was swift and now he can think about his actions a he sits out the next couple of games. 

Suppose if you look at the Chelsea players appeal, it was probably something he had to do,to try and clear his name. If you look at it another way, if he didn't appeal he was admitting guilt to stamping on an opponent. This is something that would have come back to haunt him later in the season, as to have a history of something like this could lead to referees making him a marked man for the rest of the season. Mind you I do feel we will be talking about him lots more before the seasons end as I do feel this guy is easy to wind up and a good opponent could do it again this season to get a reaction and I have no doubt Mr.Costa will oblige.

The second incident I would like to look at is a handball in the Hull v Newcastle game on Saturday, not so much the handball but the aftermath of the whole issue. Now there is no doubt that Ahmed Elmohamady punched the ball into the Newcastle goal and only for a very tuned in assistant referee he would have got away with it. Now it wasn't a slight touch or even a deflection off his hand, it was a clear punch. When the ball hit the back of the net he ran away celebrating like there was no tomorrow. When Phil Dowd blew for a free kick on the advice from his assistant, Elmohamady’s face was a picture. He actually thought the referee was doing him an injustice by disallowing the goal. At half time he could be clearly seen telling the referee to look at it on a monitor in the dressing room at the break. 

Now this in my opinion is clear cheating and the player must have been off his rocker to think he could get away with it. In fact there is a case here for when the likes of this happens again a referee would well be in his rights to show a red card. If a player stops an obvious goal scoring opportunity by punching the ball off the line he receives a red card, so I think if a player willingly try's to cheat and con the referee by punching the ball into the net, he to should receive a red card. I tell you one thing if this law was introduced it would stop players from blatantly cheating and justice would be done. So I will sign off this week on that note and if you are going to a game any time soon enjoy yourself and I hope your team is victorious but by fair means. Until next time good luck.