Leap of faith for UEFA
Posted on | September 2, 2009 | 3 Comments
A total of ‘1,108 related articles’ on Google News shows just how much this one has bubbled over in recent days.
When Arsenal’s Eduardo took a tumble in the area in his side’s Champions League qualifier with Celtic, a chain of events began which has lead to one of the most bizarre passages in the history of European football.
UEFA, determined to clamp down on diving in this year’s competition, reviewed the footage and handed him a two-game ban.
The Croatian striker has been made an example of – clear and simple, and no amount of bleating from Arsenal is going to make any difference.
That’s not to say I’m on the side of UEFA on this one – far from it. The decision appears frankly somewhat crude and cack-handed – it feels like they were out to make an early statement.
At the time of Eduardo’s leap over Celtic ‘keeper Artur Boruc, Arsenal were already 2-0 up on aggregate and were all but through, so the decision was hardly crucial.
Eduardo’s theatrics, while distasteful, are by no means the worst example of the dark arts and many, many more players must be punished in a similar manner if UEFA is to achieve consistency.
Analysing a split-second decision like this could also set some nasty precedents – are we to see similar post-match punishment for every bad tackle? Every shirt pull? Every delay in taking a throw-in?
It’s also worth pointing out that if Eduardo had been rumbled by the referee during the game he would have simply been shown a yellow card and that would’ve been that.
Two games for a tumble in an all-but-won qualifier is one thing but what would happen if a player tried something similar in the final at 1-1 – is he dragged to Nyon by a wild horse and made to lick fish paste from Michel Platini’s nipples? Non merci.
Diving does have to be stamped out – but has to come primarily from the referees on the pitch at the time – which brings us back to UEFA’s trial of goal referees in this season’s Europa League.
Also, I’m delighted to say this post gives us the chance to present some truly horrible dives from footballing history, for your viewing pleasure.
I immediately thought of this beauty from Rivaldo during the 2002 World Cup – Brazil V Turkey
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cVksdN4QnvA
Germany striker Jurgen Klinsmann was an expert of the added agony roll;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tB7Y33VteME
Alberto Gilardino’s legs are two seconds behind his brain;
And goalkeeper Dida also has pain nerves which are less than instant;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZviLX37sMY
And finally, Patrick Vieira is imbalanced by the change of air pressure;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZMyodSDQbXM
Chris Breese
[Photo: German Federal Archive CC]
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3 Responses to “Leap of faith for UEFA”
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September 2nd, 2009 @ 9:37 pm
To be honest, I can’t believe he’s Croatian. He should be at least called Eduadov or Eduardski.
September 3rd, 2009 @ 8:47 am
I’m slightly confused about uefas’ stance on disripute, did ashley young not dive in Europe last week, to gain a penalty, and what about nathan Tyson at Forrest, derby at the weekend brandishing a corner flag!! What will become of these two instances of ‘disripute’ nothing I tell you, nothing! I don’t condone eduardos actions but they are opening up a whole barrel of shit with this ban……disscus…..
September 3rd, 2009 @ 11:03 am
Although it seems a bit unfair that uefa have singled out this incident – since when have football decisions been consistent anyway?
Football is a law unto itself – if it acted like the judicary things would be so dull and boring. Imagine… ronaldo and drogba would constantly be banned and liverpool would not be able to abuse its status get away with anything. On second thoughts…!