That Penalty Decision

Dubious-maybe.
One of those that is either given or isn't. Probably.
"Worse decision ever" (Merson). Bulls**t-he hasn't been to many matches, there have been decisions against us this season which were worse, including penalties!

Defending player, hands in air, appealing for free kick.

One of the first rules of playing the game is that you play to the referee's whistle. He'll see it and give it or not. It's his decision to make, not the players to request, this isn't cricket and there is no "how was he?" involved.

If you arms are up in their air therefore, and the ball hits your arm as play continues and otherwise proceeds without the ref stopping it, then thats an offence and thats a penalty.

In anycase, doesn't his bosy position, as it was, affect the trajectory of the ball, therefore unnaturally influencing the flow of the game? I could see exactly the same offence getting a free kick in the middle of the pitch-and nobody would fuss about that or complain-so, on that logic, if it happens in the penalty area, its still an offence, but this time its a penalty. There has been leniancy shown in that the offending player was not sent off, which, for DELIBERATE handball, he would have been.

You can be penalised for deliberate and accidental handball, this was for the latter and the decision, albeit one that has drawn much debate, was the correct one.

I somehow think if it had gone against us, not so much fuss would have been made-but, because a popular mans future might depend upon it, that is what has heightened it.

Would have liked to have seen as much attention given to Morison's goal, the technique and skill involved mark him out as a lot more than just a proverbial 'big man up front' -he could, I think, play the sort of role with us that Rooney does at Man U.

Posted By: Martin Peters, Oct 30, 08:38:13