England Lose

[jimmyhillschin]

Was forced to watch the post match on BBC and as usual they were trying to find anything to explain Englands exit.

Rooney deserved to be sent off for stamping but probably wouldn't have if he hadn't pushed Ronaldo because I don't think the referee saw it. Of course Lineker and co. said the referee only reacted when Rooney pushed Ronaldo and if thats what he got sent off for its a disgrace. If the shoe was on the other foot they would be moaning about the referee missing the stamp.

Sorry to moan so much but I knew when England went out there would be something for those idiot pundits to moan about.

Anyone catch the RTE lads and hear what they thought about it?

[iamthelaw]

The RTE guys were rushed through their post-match analysis because the match had gone on so long and God forbid they would run over, but Dunphy appeared to be making that argument, that Rooney was only sent off for pushing Ronaldo, which did seem to be the case from the referee's reaction. And I didn't think the push warranted a red, and I couldn't swear that Rooney knew where he was putting his feet; he was stumbling after colliding with the two Portuguese, he was looking in the other direction, & he didn't bring his foot down any harder than he normally would.

Bet Ronaldo is hoping his rumoured move to Madrid happens quickly; Martin Jol described him as "a disgrace to football" and I'd agree. I remember one player getting booked at the start of the World Cup for calling for a card for an opponent, but that precedent has been followed remarkably rarely since then.

Finally, found it amusing that Saturday was like 1966 all over again; in that 1966 was the only occasion until now that Portugal made the semis.

[therock67]

iamthelaw said:

The RTE guys were rushed through their post-match analysis because the match had gone on so long and God forbid they would run over, but Dunphy appeared to be making that argument, that Rooney was only sent off for pushing Ronaldo, which did seem to be the case from the referee's reaction. And I didn't think the push warranted a red, and I couldn't swear that Rooney knew where he was putting his feet; he was stumbling after colliding with the two Portuguese, he was looking in the other direction, & he didn't bring his foot down any harder than he normally would.

Bet Ronaldo is hoping his rumoured move to Madrid happens quickly; Martin Jol described him as "a disgrace to football" and I'd agree. I remember one player getting booked at the start of the World Cup for calling for a card for an opponent, but that precedent has been followed remarkably rarely since then.

Finally, found it amusing that Saturday was like 1966 all over again; in that 1966 was the only occasion until now that Portugal made the semis.

I thought Jol's article was ridiculous yesterday. It was patently obvious (especially from his denial) that his opinions were coloured by the Portugal - Holland game. He is also making a lot of assumptions about Ronaldo's behaviour and what his involvement with the referee was. Did he make a card gesture?

Let's not forget that Ronaldo was pushed by Rooney and didn't go to ground clutching his face like other Premiership stars have done this week. Will Henry be hounded out of England? Ronaldo came over to remonstrate with Rooney, which was perfectly acceptable given the dangerous challenge. What he said, we don't know, but we do know what the English media want him to have said. Disappointed you're buying into it law.

For what it's worth I'm not sure Rooney is fully sure where he is stamping but he knows it isn't the ball because he can see that in front of him.

[iamthelaw]

admin said:

I thought Jol's article was ridiculous yesterday. It was patently obvious (especially from his denial) that his opinions were coloured by the Portugal - Holland game. He is also making a lot of assumptions about Ronaldo's behaviour and what his involvement with the referee was. Did he make a card gesture?

Let's not forget that Ronaldo was pushed by Rooney and didn't go to ground clutching his face like other Premiership stars have done this week. Will Henry be hounded out of England? Ronaldo came over to remonstrate with Rooney, which was perfectly acceptable given the dangerous challenge. What he said, we don't know, but we do know what the English media want him to have said. Disappointed you're buying into it law.

For what it's worth I'm not sure Rooney is fully sure where he is stamping but he knows it isn't the ball because he can see that in front of him.

As far as I could see, Ronaldo didn't address Rooney; he came over to speak to the referee. The referee had already given a free kick so I can't think - particularly given Rooney's reaction - what else Ronaldo could have been doing except calling for a card.

I certainly don't think Ronaldo is the only player who has brought the game into disrepute (or should I say kept it there?) over the course of the World Cup, but it is just another example to add to the list.

I'd agree with what your last paragraph rock, except I'd still have to say "putting his foot down" rather than "stamping", which makes all the difference.

[therock67]

iamthelaw said:

admin said:

I thought Jol's article was ridiculous yesterday. It was patently obvious (especially from his denial) that his opinions were coloured by the Portugal - Holland game. He is also making a lot of assumptions about Ronaldo's behaviour and what his involvement with the referee was. Did he make a card gesture?

Let's not forget that Ronaldo was pushed by Rooney and didn't go to ground clutching his face like other Premiership stars have done this week. Will Henry be hounded out of England? Ronaldo came over to remonstrate with Rooney, which was perfectly acceptable given the dangerous challenge. What he said, we don't know, but we do know what the English media want him to have said. Disappointed you're buying into it law.

For what it's worth I'm not sure Rooney is fully sure where he is stamping but he knows it isn't the ball because he can see that in front of him.

You are speculating on the nature of Ronaldo's involvement and condemning him on the basis of such speculation. What is crucial for me is that he didn't make a card gesture. To be honest I'm not sure I have a problem with him pointing out to the referee that Rooney stamped/stood on Carvalho's balls. Plenty of times in rugby you see players draw the referee's attention to gouging or stamping and there's nothing said of it. In this case, there was clearly reckless play for Rooney with his boot (as you acknowledge - the ball wasn't a factor for him) and Ronaldo is very much entitled to point out how dangerous Rooney's actions were.

What I hate, and what the game is supposed to be stamping out, is guys who go down under a challenge and wave an imaginary card at the referee. In this instance they've already been awarded the free kick and the card is at the referee's discretion. Where there is serious foul play or dangerous play involved then why shouldn't the Portugese lads point that out?

As I've already said Ronaldo could very easily have worsened the situation by going down when shoved by Rooney. He chose not to.

As far as I could see, Ronaldo didn't address Rooney; he came over to speak to the referee. The referee had already given a free kick so I can't think - particularly given Rooney's reaction - what else Ronaldo could have been doing except calling for a card.

I certainly don't think Ronaldo is the only player who has brought the game into disrepute (or should I say kept it there?) over the course of the World Cup, but it is just another example to add to the list.

I'd agree with what your last paragraph rock, except I'd still have to say "putting his foot down" rather than "stamping", which makes all the difference.

[Ball Ox]

I think Rooney is a fat bastard and Im only posting this to get my 100th post.

[shankill]

shower of dirty England cuntlappers. horse fucking, black person lovers

[bandage]

Anyone hear Alan Shearer after the game last night, switched over during an RTE ad break. He said how galling it was to see Portugal be so negative and go out so tamely after they took away England's chances (like England were so joyously attacking). Then he goes 'when you look at the last 4 teams there's not many that'd get in the English first XI except maybe Henry, Zidane, Ballack, Cannavaro.........' then he just trailed off. It left me to continue on with Lehman, Ricardo, Barthez, Buffon, Zambrotta, Sagnol, Miguel, Carvalho, Thuram, Gallas, Nesta, Grosso, Lahm, Pirlo, Makelele, Vieira, Deco, Maniche, Ronaldo, Ribery, Klose, Figo and I've probably forgotten a few. They are just incredible to listen to and Martin O'Neill was joining in too. When did he become an apologist for England's many shortcomings? Probably since he tried to become their manager I suppose.