He definitely threw an elbow. I'm not so sure it was aimed at Arter's face though!
But, obviously, MP thinks its indefensible...
But, obviously, MP thinks its indefensible...
It's the same way that they didn't see the Dembele v Costa incident.I don't understand why the officials can say they have not seen the incident between Arter and Sissoko. Sissoko had the ball and one of them must have seen it. Another case of selective blindness.
Why else would he have thrown the elbow. Of course he was aiming for Arter, I can see no other explanation.He definitely threw an elbow. I'm not so sure it was aimed at Arter's face though!
But, obviously, MP thinks its indefensible...
I don't even think that he throws an elbow. He steps across to block Arter from picking up the ball and he catches him with his elbow.Why else would he have thrown the elbow. Of course he was aiming for Arter, I can see no other explanation.
To be fair to the ref, that is almost exactly what he actually did say.The thing I find strange as far as the officials not seeing it was , what then did they discuss for half a minute after the incident?
Ref: '' Did you see what happened right in front of you? Why did that player fall over clutching his face?''
Lino:'' No idea mate''
Ref: ''Why did he then get up and go for him?''
Lino: '' No idea. Was busy waving my flag for a throw-in. Can't do that and watch the players at the same time.''
Ref:'' Let's ignore it and rely on the video evidence''
Ref, then calls over both players and says'' don't know what happened but calm down chaps''
To be fair to the ref, that is almost exactly what he actually did say.
He called them over and said that he didn't see what happened initially, but that they needed to drop it and calm down.
I don't know what he was looking at when he should've been looking at it, though. His linesman should definitely have caught it.
Thought that they were inconsistent and made some poor calls, to be honest.
These things rarely come out of nothing and the Geordies didn't complain about Sissoko being excessively committed and a fight waiting to happen. Arter had been very physical and a couple of his challenges could well have seen him get 2 yellows and be off the pitch. His approach drove Bournemouth on to an impressive display and he was definitely their most effective player. Well, he'd need to be to get any attention above the superstar that is Jack ''still in Wanyama's pocket' Wilshire.
Whether MP told Sissoko to get in Arter's face and things got lost in translation or whether, from the bench, Sissoko decided to even things up, I don't know. The ref had a poor game and I don't see the incident involving Arter, specifically, as being coincidental. Coming on the back of Dembele and Alli getting bans last season, this is unwelcome and can't do us any favours, either with referees, the FA or by encouraging other teams to wind us up until someone does something stupid. Given our size and strength, elbows, punches and eye gouging shouldn't be necessary.
The Sissoko decision is dubious at best and I still to not see this as a deliberate act of aggression. The only aggression came from the media. The players and the manager all except this was an accident and yet people still claim that Sissoko with his back to player was able to target his elbow.
I question that judgement but that is modern football. The fact that the media is more interested in such matters than the football we are all supposed to be watching really should alert you to their game.
I think many have spent too much time watching pundits on TV discuss ref decisions. Mistakes will happen they always have but now the media loves it if they can spot a mistake. Ooooooh look how clever we are and what a dork that ref is.
Good for the game? Good for society? Like **** it is.
Otherwise just bring back the Roman Games and let's start the slaughter.
I agree. It looks by no means certain it was deliberately aimed at Arter's face.
However, MP's acceptance of the charge suggests that he feels that there's little chance of successfully contesting it...