I agree that it is unfair, but sadly, that's the rules. Even though it is 3-0, that was a red card. Kevin Friend certainly won't be making any if he visits West Yorkshire. This is going to be about 5 or 6-0.
I'd be happy if Bradford just got at least one goal but unfortunatley they are being completely out played and out classed. Shame as I thought they'd just go for it.
Referees are ambitious. No doubt Kevin Friend wants to be in charge of more cup finals, big PL games, move into UEFA matches and ultimately FIFA games. He won't progress in this respect if he dishes out yellow cards when the rules state it has to be red.
So I'm the only one who thinks it would be completely wrong to show sympathy because of the occasion or score line? For me the ref did exactly the right thing and anything else would've been a disgrace.
Refs should be given kudos by their assessors for showing common sense according to the situation rather than following the law blindly, poor Matt Duke
That would just 'muddy' the rules even more and create tension when managers argue that a player should have been sent off and consequently banned, etc. I know it's not popular but the rules have to be adhered to in every game because it may affect following matches and thus the integrity of the game.
It never used to be the case though did it Chilton, the best refs were praised for reacting to specific situations not following the letter of the law in every instance. I remember the outcry after Kevin Moran got sent off in the 85 cup final for Man U, people couldn't believe the ref could be such a ****.
Interestingly Joe Hart remained on the pitch after doing something similar to Duke in the game earlier this afternoon. Where is the consistency? Harsh on Duke and if he had stayed on the pitch it would have made little difference to the outcome of the game. Unfortunately being a referee doesn't leave room for sentiment and he has a responsibility to follow the rules of the game.
Looked to me like the covering defender was level with Duke and actually made it to the goal line as the Swansea player went down - might justifiably have been a yellow card anyway.
Have to agree with BCC in terms of sticking to the law. However sticking to the rules isn't the problem. The problem is that the rules are wrong. I haven't seen the incident but I gather it was a professional foul for bringing down De Guzman who was through on goal. That's fine but if it's in the area and he gets a penalty why is it a professional foul? If he's made a desparate attempt to make a save, missed and brought down the man then it's a penalty and a yellow card would suffice. What is the need for a red card in that siutation? It's not prevented a clear goalscoring opportunity because there's still a penalty. The only time you should be sent off for a professional foul inside the area is if the ball is literally on the line or on its way in and you deliberately cheat to keep it out such as by handballing it when out of reach from the foot or head because in that scenario the certain goal is being downgraded to just a penalty. If it's just an easy chance prevented by foul play then the penalty is a suitable consolation isn't it? It really annoys me that we don't use the rules of football in the way they were obviously intended originally but instead make stupid interpretations of them and punish things that really don't need punishing while allowing things that need punishment.
Exactly. What if the manager of the team Bradford play next complained to the F.A because Bradford's first team keeper should be suspended?
He thought the Swansea player was going to shoot first time so threw himself at the player, realized he was going around him and just kicked out missed the ball and caught the player, he was unlucky I felt for him.
Laudrup said after the game that he thought Duke shouldn't have been sent off. He said he understood it was the rules, but that he thinks it's a stupid rule anyway.
Stupid rule and stupid decision by nobodies friend. A penalty and yellow card is more than enough punishment when the game is already sorted. imo.
