In the last 3 days there have been 3 incidents which convince me that either the gods or the FA (is there a difference ?) are against us.
First, Derby have a winning goal disallowed because apparently Bartez had already both hands on the ball; TV evidence proves that both Christie and Bartez touched the ball at the same time, but, do any of you really think that, had it been a goal at Old Trafford by Man U, the referee would have disallowed it ? it is interesting to note that even Ferguson has admitted the goal should have been allowed !
Last night, Tarrico of Spurs brings Scholes down one meter outside the penalty area, yet the officials give a penalty and Tarrico is sent-off even though King was in line and only a few feet away from Scholes; of course, this allowed Man U to score a second goal and steady their nerves at a time when Spurs were actually coming back into the game. Not only that, but they now play against 10 players. The chances are that Man U would have won the game anyway, but is it a coincidence that these referee decisions keep going their way ?
My third point is Henry's punishment; he gets a 3 match ban even though, he did not touch or swear at the referee, and he had an exemplary previous record. Couldn't the FA give him a suspended sentence and a big fine ? or is it a case of “lets once again use an Arsenal player to set an example” ?
Well, lets have a closer look at the Henry hearing at which the FA spokesman confirmed that Henry was charged with improper conduct for his outburst at referee Graham Poll following Newcastle's win at Highbury in December; the FA statement included the following comments :
"It is not like a violent conduct charge where there is a set penalty but the usual punishment for a charge like this is a one-match ban.”
The spokesman went on to add: “The disciplinary committee will take into account the player's usual conduct on the pitch."
So why has he then got 3 and not 1 match ban ? has Thierry Henry a bad disciplinary record ? does the FA know something I don't ?
Because of a certain Mr (?) Poll, Arsenal FC have been punished twice; he first ensures that Newcastle win the match, by sending Parlour off and then giving a penalty following a brilliant tackle. We then loose one of our best players for a further 3 matches.
What I really like to know, is why do these “set an example” always start with Arsenal ? we all know the famous incident at Old Trafford when the referee was chased to the corner flag by 5 Man U players; everyone could see that the referee was terrified, yet the incident was totally ignored by the FA. No doubt, you all remember a certain Mr. Roy Keane in the match v West Ham earlier this season where he punched / elbowed West Ham players on 3 different occasions; this was shown on TV but once again totally ignored by the FA; Why ?
The FA are at least showing some consistency, or are they ? You may remember Vieira got a 5-match ban for spitting in the direction of a certain Neil “fat” Ruddock a couple of years ago; last month Gianluca Festa received a three-match ban for spitting in the face of Kevin Phillips ! I suppose this can be explained by the “inflation”
So, can Arsenal overcome the baddies from Lancaster Gate in order to take the trophy away from the ugliness of Manchester ? you bet on it, the Premier League is on its way to Highbury and they all better believe it !