But they had the chance to start clamping down on it. Just because others do it doesn’t mean it’s right. Personally thought he was bang out of order and was one momentarily blip away from a police visit. Others may chase but down full force last their hands like he did Refs are working and should not face abuse. Full Stop.
Have to agree with the Ponytail. It’s an additional punishment but not IMO a big enough deterrent. An example should have been made.
A momentary blip away from a police visit? Come on man, behave. In no way am I saying they should just have to deal with it but you can't say Mitro deserves 8 games (again 8 games is probably appropriate so I'm not disputing it) and stuff like the above and below doesn't end up in a suspension for 2/3 players at a time. Below you have 3 Man U players physically touching (which is not much worse than what Mitro did if we are honest), in his face and screaming at him. The FA have set the standard now but they need to follow through with every player at all teams now - but we know they won't. please log in to view this image please log in to view this image
What Mitro did was wrong and the ban I believe is about correct but I can't understand how the fake Bruno can escape any form punishment for his altercation with the assistant ref by the looks of it, we are still working on two sets of 'laws of the game'
But in part that’s the problem. It needs to be stopped and I can’t see an 8 match ban achieving that. Referees shouldn’t have to walk backwards from players to avoid confrontation. If Mitro had received IMO a 12 game ban (3 for the offence and an extra 9 as by way of deterrent ) then that would have had an impact. It may not have been immediately but after a few similar punishments the penny would have dropped.
Get what your saying and agree ref's shouldn't need to be backing away but imo 8 is a "fair" punishment for the offence. As you say though, I think it will take a few more suspensions before the player's get it so I don't think a larger punishment would have had much more of an effect tbh. My point is though, 8 games is more than a "top 6" teams player would have received and there are plenty of instances where multiple players grabbing and shouting at the ref goes unpunished entirely. If it's 8 games for the offence for Mitro then I expect to see 3-5 games handed out for similar offences of a lesser nature that we see week in week out in the league, especially from some of the more entitled clubs like Man U and Arsenal. Sure it'll have been mentioned before but football needs to take rugby's lead in regards to respect for the ref, only the captain can speak to them otherwise it's a card.
8 games is fair. It sets the standard. Be interesting to see what the big six players do from now on. If I was a referee and a player came up to me I would make it clear. Shut up or I am sending you off. If he carries on instant red.
Obviously time will tell. But have a feeling that it won’t be followed up on and we will be having this conversation again in 12 months time. I remember a few years back there being an introduction of the ‘rugby’ rule of moving a free kick forward 10 yards if dissent but as with a lot of these initiatives it was quickly forgotten about. The same I can see happening here.
The Mitro incident was just the other side of that very fine line, the Man U players get around him, shout things, even put their hands on him, but not so much as to exert force and give any impression they're pushing or manhandling him. Mitro actually exerts force on the ref and pushes him, which is unheard of in football. Yes one is only slightly more of an action that the other, but at the same time it crosses that line you cannot cross.
Feel sorry for Mitro, and it's a shame that he has to learn the hard way. But he well and truly crossed the line in that crazy moment. But as others have said, the mass surrounding of the ref is so undignified and has to stop.
In the Man City - Liverpool game there was an incident where Rodri pulled a Liverpool player back just after being booked. Six Liverpool players actually sprinted across the pitch to try and get him sent off. Fastest Henderson moved the whole match.
Podence being charged with spitting, only a 6 game ban. This is the crazy **** I'm talking about, the rules make no-sense. Spitting is not only disgusting but is literally assault. If I spit in the face of someone else in the street I could be arrested. Mitro "grabbing" the ref (watch it back and he actually never lays a palm on the ref, he uses the back of his hand to try and turn the ref to get his attention - again certainly not condoning his actions) and saying some horrible stuff to him in a very aggressive manner is way less serious than actually flemming in the face of someone else...
