That is precisely the sort of thing that should be targeted for change, how many won't apply if they think they are the token candidate?
Usually the talk in the media refers to the percentage of players compared to managers/coaches. However, if you look at the number of foreign players in that category, it may be that when they finish their careers, they go back to their country to pass on the information about their experiences to young players in that country in the hope that it benefits them, and in the long run, the nations team in competitions like the World Cup.
Juve certainly giving as good as they got against Barca after a slow start. Just expect Messi to come up with a moment of magic.
Wonder what the difference was... TBH I thought that "handball" goal Neymar scored was a bit harshly ruled out albeit I can see why. It was an accident in a sense but the ball did move direction...
I think this handball in the box thing is always so confusing and causes controversy every time whichever way it is interpreted..... and then all the pundits debate it endlessly!
Plus the players cheat and con each other/the ref so much sadly I don't think the refs are ever sure 100% and probably just guess... If he'd given that the Juve players would probably still be complaining now...
On the BBC website What is 'deliberate' handball? please log in to view this image please log in to view this image please log in to view this image The challenging decisions are if the defending player spreads their arms to make themselves bigger please log in to view this image Former Premier League referee David Elleray "Hand to ball or ball to hand?" Nothing stirs the passion like a controversial handball decision. You've only got to look at players and managers jumping up and down enraged at a dodgy penalty to know that. A ball slams into a player's arm and one team is screaming for a penalty, while the others are claiming it was an accident. It's a tricky one for the referee to call in the heat of the moment. So what is 'deliberate' handball? In Fifa's Laws of the Game 2005, Law 12 says a free-kick or penalty will be awarded if a player "handles the ball deliberately (except for the goalkeeper within his own penalty area)". Page 67 of the document gives "additional information for referees, assistant referees and fourth officials". It adds: "Referees are reminded that deliberately handling the ball is normally punished only by a direct free-kick or penalty kick if the offence occurred inside the penalty area. "A caution or dismissal is not normally required." However, the document fails to describe what constitutes deliberate handball, which places the responsibility firmly on the referee and referees' assistants. Former Premier League referee David Elleray said the referee's interpretation depends on whether the hand or arm is in an "unnatural" position at the point of contact. please log in to view this image Referees often consult their assistants on decisions "Referees look at two specifics - did the hand or arm go towards the ball or in a manner which would block the ball, or is the hand in a position where it would not normally be?" Elleray told BBC Sport. "The challenging decisions are if the defending player spreads their arms to make themselves bigger. "If the ball hits the arm then the referee must decide whether this action was to deliberately block the ball or whether the player has raised their arms to protect themselves - especially if the ball is hit at speed." The referee and referees' assistants, therefore, have a matter of seconds to weigh up these factors, and take the appropriate action. And there will always be at least one manager, 11 players and thousands of fans who will insist they have been hard done by. I think the rule is not clear and needs to be clarified. If a ball hits the hand of a player and it changes the direction of the ball in any way.... then that touch has potentially aided the attacker in this instance and confused the goalkeeper. I think a handball that gives potential advantage to the player it touches should be a foul
I see Tozser and Anya both played for their countries yesterday in games that were won. Also interesting - a certain Tamas Priskin scored for Hungary - I didn't realise he was still at that level.
Tricky one really, Yorkie - nowhere in the rules does it even give recognition to the laws of physics, which cause involuntary arm movement - I don't think I've ever seen anyone perform a slide tackle or sliding block with their arms held against their hips. Maybe the law makers should go back to the beginning and investigate why it was called 'handball' - and rewrite accordingly. Forget the arms from the wrist up and simply outlaw use of the hand to carry, catch, punch, push, deflect, hold and whatever other synonym they can come up with - and forget all about the words 'intentional/deliberate' - it's too hard to determine either of them.
That's how I view it. The "making big" aspect is always going to be a debating topic because it is an "in the opinion of the referee" decision and there is no consistency. We've had more than our fair share of these decisions go against us at both ends. I once had an incident where a player pirouetted 360· trying to volley a shot and as he completely missed the ball and spun round the ball hit him on the back of the arm and dropped to his feet. He had no idea where the ball was and the hand ball was in no way intentional... but a team mate reacted first and whacked the ball into the back of the net. Technically not a foul so the goal should stand....
It's daft and so debatable as it stands.... there are too many of these uncertainties in the rule of football... sort it and we wont have to listen any more clapped out players and armchair commentators discussing their views endlessly!
and you really need to if you are playing forward... or waiting for a ball in an offside position.... drove everyone mad!
