Uproar from the Man City camp over inconsistent decisions. Two foot or not two foot? That is the question.
You can’t help but feel sorry for Roberto Mancini at the minute. Now before you say it, not because his grandma hasn’t knitted him a new scarf yet, and no, not even because his career at Leicester City lasted all but 4 games. The real reason we can’t help but feel sorry for the Italian gent is a result of the controversial decisions made against his precious Manchester City during recent games.
As you will inevitably already know, City captain, Vincent Kompany was sent off during a gruelling Manchester derby, when he delivered a two footed tackle onto United’s Nani; a challenge that some argue to be ‘firm but fair’. Now, the ref’s decision here was debatable enough, but then for Mancini to have to sit on the sidelines and watch Liverpool’s Glen Johnson make an almost identical tackle against Julian Lescot, the lack of colours shown must really have gotten under his skin.
This inconsistency shown by top ranking officials makes me wonder why referees don’t get their heads together and make a firm decision on where they draw the line on a clean tackle or a heinous foul.
Thankfully, the days of defenders such as Ron ‘Chopper’ Harris and Norman ‘Bite Yer Legs’ Hunter hacking down the dainty strikers is over. Even I as a Leicester City fan, as well as a lifetime of disappointing Saturday afternoon results, have witnessed some frankly brutal offenses from players such as the infamous Dennis Wise.
These days however, footballers are more likely to face an onslaught from Tony ‘Don’t get too near or he’ll give you a little push’ Hibbert. This being said, meaty challenges and two footed tackles are very frequent, and players still get badly injured and careers can still end with a late timed engage.
Now this would be looked upon as an ‘occupational hazard’ if footballers were allowed to deliver such tackles, or against the rules if not. It is the reoccurring inconsistency that is really shaking up the football leagues at the minute, highlighted by these decisions against Manchester City.
The question is, can football exist without these hefty challenges, and if so, why can’t the referees distinguish one from the other. If these tackles didn’t exist, sure artists could prevail with their footwork, but is that really all football is about. Having said this, it would be disgusting if after paying a weeks wages to watch Messi strut his stuff (on the football pitch that is) you then had to watch him get stretchered off at half time because some nutter had broke his legs with a two footed stomper.
If officials are going to be clear about eradicating the two footed ‘reckless tackle’, then consistency must be shown by referees, if not for the future of football, then for poor Roberto Mancini, because I’m pretty sure his hair was never this grey before.
