Opponent Suspension Selection

[Bryan Gividen]

So these recent events with Ruud Van Nistelroy have had me thinking...

Ruud Van Nistelroy will be serving his suspension against (most likely) Portsmouth, Newcastle and Man City. While I am sure he will be missed greatly by the Red Devils in those matches, it really does nothing for Arsenal. None of the three teams are threatening Arsenal and ManU can still pull out wins in each of those games without Ruud's assistance.

Now, my asanine comments aside about whether or not ManU can beat the teams they are playing sans Ruud, I began to think, wouldn't it be interesting if the FA had provisions where the team that was "victimized" by the offending player was able to have a say in which matches he missed? For instance, within some limitations, Arsenal could decide when Ruud's suspension began. Or better, maybe the FA could provide that Ruud serve a two-game suspension right now and not be able to play against Arsenal in their second leg this year. (If both legs were completed, Arsenal could possible pick a game during the rest of the season which Ruud would have to sit out.)

Just a bunch of thoughts. I'm sure I'm missing why this is moronic idea, but I really like it. Comments, pro and neg, please.

[Teso Dos Bichos]

Bad idea. It is far too hard to govern and open to abuse. Perhaps if it was altered so that the player punished would miss only the corresponding fixture, then it might work better? That way the player is still punished but it is to the advantage of the team he committed the offence against. Although, the obvious flaw is that this gives a team the advantage in two games (original and corresponding).