....... 6 game ban has been upheld. For spitting FFS - he is protesting his innocence but let’s assume he is guilty (the FA have) then what an utter utter disproportionate punishment for a non-contact offence. It’s on a par with breaking someone’s leg!!!! If a player is sent off for a professional foul (eg holding an opponent back when they’re through on goal) or a second bookable offence they will be handed a one-match ban. In the World Cup 2018, a red card would result in a one game ban for the player. Straight red cards for dissent will result in a two match ban, while dangerous tackles or violent conduct will result in a three-match ban which can be raised to four or more games in extreme cases. Dumped on methinks.
Nope, to me if he’s guilty of spitting then 6 game ban is to light. It needs to be stamped out of the game altogether. If a player done that to one of ours we would be tamping it’s to short of a ban.
Hate spitting , but it does seem odd to be a 6 match ban , whereas reckless tackles and violent conduct only warrant a 3 match ban , would surely make sense to be on a par, after all a reckless challenge could potentially be career ending .
Seems bizarre to me that no-one other than the FA appears to know anything about it!! I presume that a complaint must have been made at some time, but no information seems to have been put out into the public arena, so what can we make of it? Very odd indeed!!
Spitting is vile But it could be argued that cheating/simulation is just as unwanted within the game yet no one has the guts to bring these cheats to book.
And there does seem to be significantly more cheats/simulators than those who spit at opponents - could that be to do with the punishment handed out to those who spit?
Spitting is vile and cannot even be 'excused' by the 'heat of the moment', which can be claimed by the various forms of violence...…..the red mist and all that. The action of spitting takes time to gather phlegm and aim it at another person, particularly when one is supposed to be exerting oneself. I think that is what makes it so much more unacceptable. Has anyone on here ever spat at another person?
Exactly. If somebody spat in your face on a football pitch what would you do? There Is a cultural element to this. As a player you could give me a slap, attempt to injure me and I would laugh it off … Spit at me (and thank Christ it never happened) I may have stabbed somebody in the eye with the corner flag. Spitting is the worst. Scum do it.
Some interesting responses on here (and OTIB) to this. I think we are all in agreement that spitting is vile and warrants punishment. Where we differ is how it should be punished in comparison to other offences. In response to Cliftonville’s comment I would definitely react ‘strongly’ in the heat of the moment if I were spat at, but probably wouldn’t carry it beyond the game, whereas if I suffered a broken leg or life changing injury I would make sure the other person was left in no doubt about my annoyance - months or even years later if necessary.
R&W - the difference is that although it can happen, no player (except an absolute nutter) sets out to break anyone's leg whereas spitting is a wholly premeditated and intentional action. Players spitting in another's face get what they deserve, though there's a case for some sort of "totting up" procedure for persistant violent conduct by a player. Suarez biting habit was well known and rightly punished for instance. There are plenty of players out who base their game on intimidation rather than skill as well as the persistant divers that plague the game. That doesn't mean the physical element of the game should be watered down, but views should be taken on past record, and their history be considered each time they receive double yellows or straight reds. Maybe a similar 6 match ban as for spitting will have an the required effect.
I fear he doth protest too much. Will this absolutely correct ban have a bearing on his future at City, or will we just let it die and move on? Missing the first 6 games of a new season is rarely a good thing and perhaps his stupidity may transform him into a bench warmer.
who was the appeal to …. FA ….? OR OTHER SPORTING BODY! IF HE IS ADAMANT that he did not spit then the next stage should be the top appeal point? is it that mob in SWITZERLAND OR SOME WHERE ? ?? aARBITRATION FOR SPORT??? he would then get to play pending the hearing and findings are made public?
Without seeing any evidence it’s difficult to judge , based on previous judgements I can’t say personally I trust the authorities to get it right , it seems we have accepted the decision which would suggest there is nowhere else to go, I’m not sure I’d want the courts to interfere with these matters as it is likely to be the start of a slippery slope, but the more often these decisions are made which impact on players character one day I’m sure someone will indeed go down that route.
