Been interested in reading peoples views on Ballotellis 'stamp!!!!!' There has been arguments on both sides! I would say that he PROBABLY did mean it! It just seems that his leg/foot movement was not a natural movement in relation to the rest of his body! He seemed to plant his foot down when it wasnt neccessary and then did a theatrical dive afterwards to try and hide his intentions!!!! However it is not 100% clear so I dont think he should get b**llocked for it either!!! I'm interested on other peoples views???? Discuss!
Yes but not as much as Shearer did when he nearly decapitated someone, Neill Lennon? Did he get banned?
I think he deserves to be banned cos I'm 99% sure he meant it.......but due to that 1% i dont think he should be, unfortunetly!
The mans a dirty little thug. Hopr he gets what's coming to him. That is if the FA have the balls to charge him, Howard Webb should be relegated to the Championship for a couple of weeks also, for letting the bastard get away with it, how he can see the first kick which was accidental but not the second which was more or less in the same movement is astounding. Lescott should also be charged for the fore-arm smash, but as we've seen time and again the big clubs get away with it. Had either incident involved Cattermole the letter from the FA would have been on the mat this morning.
I don't think he did. But just like everyone else i'm not sure. Being off balance and trying not to fall tends to lead to some unnatural movements and illogical decisions. Take a look at any skateboarding video where the guy lands on his arm and breaks it due to stupid movements.
Whilst I know what you mean, his leg was going down straight in a line, then the movement. I like characters like Balotelli, but I can't excuse that. Lescott's was just as bad really, but then, he's not tabloid gold is he?
I get that. I just think that he has to be given the benefit of the doubt. In real time he just looks off balance and like he's trying to get a foot on the ground then hits Parker. But i don't know for sure he may very well have meant it but only he will know for sure. Lescott i think was far more clear cut. Running in swinging forearms isn't acceptable but i always find Lescott to be a bomb scare so it doesn't even surprise me from him.
Amazed Lescott is still there to be honest, him and Kolarov are way below the standard of the rest of the squad, IMO. Only Mario knows, and what I will say, is it's certainly not clear cut enough for him to be charged, the difference of opinions here shows that.
I wouldn't even put it past him that he intended the first contact with Parker's face. But the stamp no question. In all seriousness stamping on someone's head/face with studs on its possible he could have killed him. He is a very good player but a disgusting person...... needs taught a lesson a la Cantona IMO
Having watched the video several times i can understand why the majority of people are saying it looks deliberate, several fans pointed out today that his right foot leaves the ground as he stamps down with his left leg, IMHO he is a lucky lad not to be serving a lengthy ban. please log in to view this image
Apparently he told the FA if they banned him they could forget about him going to the WC. As to Balotelli, I don't think he meant it, just the bodies natural reaction to being off balance.
Off balance, but enough to see from the footage he purposely fling's his right foot (boot) back towards Parker's head, a stamping motion clearly intended. Will the FA do anything about it? I doubt.