Jon Champion

Thought this was worth a thread of it's own considering his actions set the tone for the nation to follow...

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ESPN reprimand commentator Jon Champion for describing Suarez handball as 'work of a cheat'

ESPN commentator Jon Champion has been reprimanded by his employers after claiming Luis Suarez cheated in the build-up to Liverpool's second goal against Mansfield on Sunday.
The incident occurred after the ball cannoned off the Uruguayan's hand, prompting many to agree with Champion's initial analysis.
After Suarez scored the decisive goal and performed his ritual post-goal celebration of kissing his wrist, Champion said: 'That, I'm afraid, is the work of a cheat.'

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The broadcaster released a statement which said: 'We take our responsibility to deliver the highest standards of coverage to our viewers. ESPN’s editorial policy is for commentators to be unbiased and honest, to call things as they see them.
'Inevitably this can involve treading a fine line on occasion, especially in the heat of the moment. Comments during the Mansfield v Liverpool match caused offence where none was intended and we have spoken to our commentator about this incident.'
Despite the furore, Champion will commentate on Cheltenham’s FA Cup third round tie with Everton this evening.

[video=youtube;mqe17whGcxk]http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=mqe17whGcxk[/video]​

ESPN bosses discussed the broadcast at a meeting this morning and decided to stick with the experienced commentator for the game.
The Uruguayan's career has been marked by a series of controversies, and he once again claimed all the headlines after controlling the ball with his right wrist before steering the ball over the line.
It could be argued that the goal would not have created nearly as much of a stir had it been scored by any other player, and while Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers feels Suarez's reputation goes before him, he insists the 25-year-old should be embraced for his exceptional ability.
'He has had seven yellow cards this year, but he hasn't warranted all seven,' said Rodgers.
'He is a wonderful professional. I think in this country we need to enjoy it whilst he is here because he is a brilliant talent.

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'He is a good man as well, a good family man, and as a manager, he is someone who wants to come in and work. He wanted to start yesterday's game, even though he has really been my only striker for the last six months.

'Yesterday was a game he was up for because it was street football for him, he enjoys that type of game.

'But I can only talk about his talents. I always try to educate the players, with regard to every aspect of their life. As I've said, he's very receptive, and we go forward with him.'

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Suarez was sent off during the 2010 World Cup quarter-final between Uruguay and Ghana for a deliberate handball on the goal-line, and when Ghana striker Asamoah Gyan missed the subsequent penalty, Suarez celebrated gleefully on the touchline in a match the South Americans went on to win.
Since moving to England he has served an eight-match ban for racially abusing Manchester United defender Patrice Evra before refusing to shake Evra's hand in the next meeting of the sides last February, and has been accused by some managers of going to ground too easily to win free-kicks and penalties.

[video=youtube;9BBs8o6Ma-0]http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=9BBs8o6Ma-0[/video]​

Despite the furore surrounding Suarez's goal and the debate as to whether he should have owned up to his indiscretion, Mansfield striker Matt Green knows he would have done the same if in that position.
Green set up a pulsating finish with a 79th-minute goal that arguably should have been the equaliser if referee Andre Marriner and his assistants had deemed Suarez's 19th of the season as a deliberate handball.
Green, who described his own strike as a 'dream come true' and 'something (he would) remember for the rest of (his) life', said of Suarez's goal: 'Obviously, as a goalscorer you don't care how it goes in the net.
'I'm not saying that's the right way to put it in the net, but you claim anything as a striker.'
Asked if he would have taken such a goal, Green replied: 'If my name was on the scoresheet, I would have as well.
'But it is really gutting to be put out of the FA Cup by something like that against such a big club.'

[video=youtube;VhOtPeq5xIU]http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=VhOtPeq5xIU[/video]​

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He'll do it again, as will others because they're all lazy and will take the easy route to journalism/broadcasting.....it pains me to say this but the only exception that I can think of that plays with a straight bat is a certain Gary Neville.....unless i've missed something!

 

Ratface is absolute a top pundit, as much as his voice annoys the hell out of me I respect his opinion on football in general, not so much is opinion of Liverpool Football Club though

 

Fixed.

 

Contact ESPN, Inc.
http://espn.go.com/espn/contact?lang=EN&country=united kingdom

 

On it.

 

I must admit the more I see It the more I think It was deliberate John Champion may have thought It but shouldnt have said It though...

 

Should or remained impartial but just couldn't help himself.

 

It was an instinctive reaction - the type Champion calls cheating in someone else.

 

Ah then, it's a clear case of hypocrisy. The penalty for which is stoning (please refer to the Howard Webb thread #82 for further instructions)

 

If what Suarez done was just instinctive and in the heat of the moment, then surely Jon Champion can be forgiven for his 'in the heat of the moment' comments.

Now I don't want to get into wether or not it was or wasn't cheating, that has been done to death on the other article. All I will say is that Suarez has cheated in the past, im not saying he is the only player who has cheated, but Suarez has been involved in some very high profile incidents. The biggest 1 coming when he robbed Ghana in the World Cup.

Also the kissing of the hand didn't help, now I know he does that anyway, but Jon Champion may not have realised that, so it was very easy to fall into the trap of branding him a cheat in the heat of the moment

 

Go away little boy. You are either incredibly thick or a piss poor WUM

 

Champion just showed like keys & grey that anyone in the top post for too long thinks they can say what they like and worse that they start to believe its about them and not the football.

He illustrates the danger of a witchhunt though. He believed he could say what he liked about Suarez because everyone else in the press had. Unfortunately for him the referees actually saw it, and those that had actually played the game thought he was just plain wrong.

To be honest I'm glad he said it. Maybe commentators will pause before the snide comments now. Fleet Street hacks will continue with the rage because its easier for them but I couldn't care less. They aren't forced on me if I want to watch my team on the TV.

 

He cheated. Get over it. Champion has every right to say it. It's true.

 

I don't understand what some of your problems are on here, everyone is entitled to an opinion. You don't have to be a Wum to disagree with you, or anyone else for that matter

 

Really?
And I thought he was an experienced commentator.
Hasn't Suarez popped enough of them in this season for even those with a passing interest to note that he does the same celebration after every goal?
I suppose we'll just have to ask him to score a few more so that everyone gets the message.

 

They're Liverpool fans. They believe that Suarez can do no wrong. Great player, terrible person.

 

Poor poor effort. According to ref he didn't: so officially and I mean literally officially: you're talking out your arse.

 

Didn't realise you were an acquaintance.

 

Doesn't take a genius to see he's a ****. I think the fans of the other 19 PL teams would say something similar.