PaulMdj
Well-known member
It’s one frame, absolutely proves nothing.
Arthur Wedge
Well-known member
In the frame before was any Chelsea player grabbing an Arsenal player
A video clip would give the full picture
There were a number of times at corners where Saliba was grabbing Pedro but also Pedro was grabbing him
PaulMdj
Well-known member
Count the fouls!!Neilds
Assistant Pro
I'm not saying that Chelsea were blameless during set pieces, heck there could even have been some set pieces where none of the players even touched an opponent (highly unlikely) but in the still there are clear and obvious fouls which should have been picked up by the officials.
Arthur Wedge
Well-known member
What I was saying is that still is a single moment in time , yes Arsenal players have a hold of Chelsea players - but what about the frame before or before when for the same set piece they could have been initially fouls by Chelsea players
A still will always look back - was the ball even in play etc
Need to get the full picture to make a judgment
PaulMdj
Well-known member
That’s not correct, there have been loads of examples in games were there seems obvious examples of fouls in the penalty box at corners and the Officials have come out afterwards or VAR during the game and stated both teams were “at it” and play on.
So your picture could be a foul, or, seconds before Rice was being fouled and therefore they’ve let it go.
RichA
Well-known member
Yeah. They might have just been bearhugging them for the 0.02 of a second that still covered.
Swango1980
Well-known member
If you focus on every single individual player packed into the box, defending and attacking, I wouldn't be surprised if you could count at least half a dozen clear fouls, in your own subjective opinion. And I believe the vast majority of those subjective opinions would align.
Take Declan Rice in the corner with his handball shout. It was clear he was tightly grabbing the attacker, with both arms, from behind. Clearly to stop him moving away from him and from jumping upwards. Given the attacker was in front of Rice, I'd say Rice is very much the one who is guilty of a "foul". Take the very next corner. This time Rice was ahead of the front post, had his back to the ball, and was using sumo wrestling moves on the Chelsea attacker, almost pushing him out of play. A goal was scored anyway, but if it wasn't, how is that legal? In other corners, we saw Saliba firmily grabbing an opponent from behind.
I've no issue with players having their arms out to protect their space, and having to be physically strong to do so. But hugging an opponent, in my view, should probably be a foul.
Take Declan Rice in the corner with his handball shout. It was clear he was tightly grabbing the attacker, with both arms, from behind. Clearly to stop him moving away from him and from jumping upwards. Given the attacker was in front of Rice, I'd say Rice is very much the one who is guilty of a "foul". Take the very next corner. This time Rice was ahead of the front post, had his back to the ball, and was using sumo wrestling moves on the Chelsea attacker, almost pushing him out of play. A goal was scored anyway, but if it wasn't, how is that legal? In other corners, we saw Saliba firmily grabbing an opponent from behind.
I've no issue with players having their arms out to protect their space, and having to be physically strong to do so. But hugging an opponent, in my view, should probably be a foul.
SwingsitlikeHogan
Major Champion
..but there you go. Why probably? Just make hugging an opponent a foul...end of. Can't be done?. Well look at what rugby has done changing the 'escort' rule - when previously players on one team could make blocking runs to protect a player collecting a kick; no more. Google search AI is my friend on this..
- Definition: An "escort" is a player, usually a teammate of the kicker, who positions themselves to block or impede an opponent from tackling the player catching a high ball.
- The Crackdown: Referees are instructed to heavily penalize defenders who deliberately obstruct chasers, treating it as unfair obstruction, even if they aren't directly tackling
nickjdavis
Head Pro
Surely there's a justifiable case in there for a sharp elbow to the ribs?
...or maybe an "accidental studs down the shin" as you try to wrestle your way out of the bear hug?
Swango1980
Well-known member
I used the word "probably" as I was jokingly understating it. I can't think why anyone would believe hugging an opponent is ever an acceptable way to mark them.
