Fellaini's elbow is another example of the media focusing on the wrong thing: **** the handful of Fellaini's afro in Huth's right hand, pay attention to Huth wrapping his left arm around Fellaini's throat at the same time.
Huth and Fellaini are two of the dirtiest players in the league and they're rarely punished for it. Both could easily be sent off in virtually every game and should be giving away fouls on almost every set-piece. The acceptance of wrestling in the box helps them out though, so I can't see anything changing.
The ex refs on SSN frequently say that when players jostle with each other in the box at set pieces, there is no foul. The inference is that either jostling is fine if both players concerned take part or that if both are committing fouls, the ref is powerless to act in any meaningful way. What should be done? Tolerate it as part and parcel of a contact sport or have the ref blowing his whistle every few seconds and disrupting play (as appears to happen with similar off the ball contact in rugby)?
It's often not both players that are taking place, though. Defenders grab hold of attackers and then get pushed off. Referees can easily stop this by just calling it when fouls are committed. There'll be a load of penalties for a while and then it'll stop.
It is both sides. We see attackers pushing defenders away or over and backing in. We see decoy runners manhandling defenders out of position to create space. And we see a lot of blocking - where players intentionally get in the way or stand very close to defenders or the goalkeeper to obstruct them. With defenders using equally dubious tactics too, we seem to have a stalemate where jostling has become acceptable.
Sheringham's way of dealing with the likes of Julian Dicks was to time his jump so the first time they came flying towards his shins he's jump clear over them, but every time after that he'd jump just a little lower until he caught them with his studs as they slid through.
I remember Bobby Smith having a little fisty-cuffs with a couple of center halves in the past.Namely, john Higgins of Bolton and Trevor Smith of Birmingham City.I'm convinced the referees would turn a blind eye. Todays refs collect cards like I collect Gibraltar stamps! ......and why do players take so many cards for stupid things.Do they like having days off?......and.....are their wages stopped if they are suspended for taking those stupid cards?
I love how we're all ignoring that Fellaini's arm is swinging long before Huth grabs a fist full of his hair. Poor from both players but I expect the F.A. to come down hard on Fellaini.
Part of the problem is that the normal foul rules don't apply when the ball is not in play. Why not penalise offences at corners, throwins and free kicks even before the set piece is taken. That would stop the grappling at source
Would that be the "arm is swinging" that could not make contact with Huths' head because Huths' arm is draped across Fellainis' neck from behind (0-2 seconds) ?? Or some other incident ??
He brings his arm forward to gain the momentum needed to hit Huth as hard as he can. Not quite sure why you'd present an argument with the evidence that ruins it.
Dramatic late goal for Brighton. Likely means absolutely nothing as they stil need to win at Boro if Burnley don't lose later but it's a good moment for them anyway. Hope they go up, would be great to have Hughton back in the PL.
So what you are saying is that Huth has pre-cognitive ability, which is why he was willing to commit a foul (and therefore a penalty offence) before Fellainis' arm begins to move backwards ??
I'd like to go to the Amex, looks a nice stadium. Agree about Hughton, would be great seeing him back, top bloke.
Eh? I'm saying that he was swinging his arm before Huth pulls Fellaini's hair in response to somebody's ludicrous suggestion that the elbow was an act of self defense.
It's always been acceptable, it's when you're holding a player as they try to make a run, or preventing them from jumping that isn't acceptable. The trouble is that it's very difficult for the referees to see when a player does foul another in the box making it a risk worth taking for many teams. Jostling in the box is great, I love it and would hate to see it go out of the game. I think referees need to work more on how they deal with corners though. They need to work out what the best postion is for them and the linesman to have as much of the action in their view as possible and they also need to have the bottle to give the decisions when there's a clear infringement.
1. Huth committed a foul (grab across the neck from behind) . Unsporting behaviour. 2. Fellaini has thrown elbows. Violent conduct. 3. Huth has grabbed hair. Violent conduct. #1 does not justify #2 : Fellaini 3 match ban. #2 does not justify #3. That + #1 : Huth 3 match ban.
The best way to sort it is to bring in a 5th official that sits in a van outside with a television screen. I agree that i'd hate to see jostling in the box go, but there are lines which are often crossed.
1. Huth reaches over Fallaini, forearm on Fallaini's neck (like the beginning of a choke hold) 2. Fallaini swings elbow towards Huth 3. Huth grabs Fallaini's hair 4. Fallaini's elbow hits Huth's chin 5. Fallaini's back slap graises Huth's eyebrow Just the facts ma'am Both should see bans. That's my onion
