In_The_Rough
Tour Winner
4 games this season, 25 next. Some would have.
I'm not trying to move this conversation, but isn't it a farce, all this "the referee has dealt with it at the time" lark.
Just because a ref gives a foul, yellow card etc, it is seen as dealt with and the FA can't act. There have been some horrendous decisions that have not been punished due to this, and it is spectacularly wrong. Mcmanaman's tackle a few weeks ago, Rooney's elbow at Wigan the other year, Aguero's last week.
I know it is hard to say where the line should be with retrospective refereeing, but if it is gross violent conduct (as today) players should be banned. The whole thing is a farce.
I know the ref hasn't seen today's, so he will be banned, but Defoe does the same thing (not as vicious) and the ref sees it years ago, and he only gets a booking.
I agree to a part what you are saying. However bad tackles, fights, elbows whatever have always happened and always will and should be punished with the usual 3 or 4 game bans when a red card is given for those type a challenges not condoning it but it is part and parcel of the game. What LS has done today goes way beyond normal occurances on a football pitch it is a really low and shameful act. Yes the rules are stupid at times and Defoe should have been dealt with more than he was. I think LS should be looking at a 10 game ban minimum and the biggest fine they can land him with