Robben being sent off

[musicl]

That was ridiculous. Players should be able to celebrate with their fans. Its good to see fans and players celebrate together.

Stuart Peirce did it and nothing happened. Robbin does it and gets a yellow.

[spoonman]

Robben

[musicl]

doh

[superdave]

Robbin does it and gets a yellow.
Them's the rules. Play by 'em or go home.

Now, is it a stupid rule? That's a different discussion. But it's unquestionably the rule.

[yasik19]

God forgive me, but i agree with Dave here. He broke the rule, hence, the second yellow, which resulted in a red card. Yes, i believe the rule is stupid. THe fans that go all the way north to Sunderland to watch their team play should be able to celebrate with the team. Nevertheless, unless the rule is changed, players must obey that rule.

[Teso Dos Bichos]

Indeed.

[Clan]

Them's the rules. Play by 'em or go home.

Now, is it a stupid rule? That's a different discussion. But it's unquestionably the rule.


Laws son, laws.

Football doesn't have 'rules'.

It's not stupid, it's necessary.

What is stupid, is that most of the players don't know it's a law, as updated laws are forwarded to all clubs at the begining of every season.

[Alan_V]

You could almost tell by the quizical look on his face that the ref was almost apologizing for having to send him off, but like everyone says, rules is rules.

[sydneymuganzi]

Some Rules Are Just Stupid.are Players Robots Who Cannot Express Emotion?

[Andy Bennett]

I think the real problem was the first, rather soft, yellow card. If it hadn't have been for that it would have made no difference.

Actually, Clan, I'd be surprised if he didn't know that leaving the field of play wasn't a yellow. It's not like it hasn't happened before in recent times.

[sydneymuganzi]

my complaint is with the stupid rule.Am not blaming the ref for sending him off,I'm blaming those who make the rules.Bu then the refs should sometimes use their descretion.

[Dr_Intoxicated]

Actually, the ref did have a choice, this particular law has a reference to common sense and allows for interpretation.

[chrizzah]

Actually, the ref did have a choice, this particular law has a reference to common sense and allows for interpretation.

There's always some leeway for the ref. At times, referees give leeway for the last man and the goalie touching outside of the box (of course they do get endless flak for this). Referees sometimes hold back on a second yellow for a rash tackle if a player is already holding a yellow. There was nothing malicious about Robben's actions and I don't think he was aware it was a cardable offence. The referee could easily have given him a talking too. The referee really wasn't as duty-bound as people are making it sound. This rule is far different from something like a studs up tackle where there really is no leeway.

[Andy Bennett]

Actually, the ref did have a choice, this particular law has a reference to common sense and allows for interpretation.
Agreed, but I think when you leap over the fence and leave the field of play you're asking for trouble, If there wasn't a fence there and he went to the crowd he'd probably have been alright. Away from home doesn't help either.

Still, hopefully they'll live and learn.

[musicl]

Fence??? There is no fence. All he did was jump over the advertising boards. He didnt go over the barrier which the fans sit behind.

[MassachusettsRef]

Laws son, laws.

Football doesn't have 'rules'.Right, but what Robben did doesn't specifically violate any Laws. Referees have great leeway determining what is or is not "unsporting behavior". The sport does have 'rules', though; they are found in instructions to referees and rules implemented by individual competition authorities (for example, different leagues have different yellow card accumulation rules).

The thing that is interesting to me is that the vast majority of people (posters here and writers in newspapers, as well as Mourinho himself) concede that Robben deserved the yellow card because he violated a steadfast provision. But, there is no such provision in the Laws of the Game. So, my question is: Is there a league-wide mandate explictly barring this sort of celebration and explicitly mandating a yellow card as the sanction?

[Teso Dos Bichos]

Regardless of the interpretation or specific law, players should know that they risk getting a yellow for leaving the field of play and celebrating with the fans. Robben was stupid.

[Alan_V]

Right, but what Robben did doesn't specifically violate any Laws. Referees have great leeway determining what is or is not "unsporting behavior". The sport does have 'rules', though; they are found in instructions to referees and rules implemented by individual competition authorities (for example, different leagues have different yellow card accumulation rules).

The thing that is interesting to me is that the vast majority of people (posters here and writers in newspapers, as well as Mourinho himself) concede that Robben deserved the yellow card because he violated a steadfast provision. But, there is no such provision in the Laws of the Game. So, my question is: Is there a league-wide mandate explictly barring this sort of celebration and explicitly mandating a yellow card as the sanction?

I've no intimate knowledge of specific Premiership laws, but the commentators comments strongly suggest that such a rule is on the books.

[Pazarius]

I've no intimate knowledge of specific Premiership laws, but the commentators comments strongly suggest that such a rule is on the books.

I was under the impression that it was a new fifa edict banning any celebration that (amongst other things) involves 'leaving the field of play'.

[sydneymuganzi]

I think for a game that involves so many emotions,a player can celebrate with his fans that pay lots of many for the game.Had he gone to the opposition fans that would have been something else.I've seen players excused for a lot worse.To think that MAN U were trying to reverse ronaldo's yellow,then we shouldn't even be talking about the Robben issue.