Dreadful Tackle

[USSF REF]

Crunch.

Nasty Foul (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d5PZ7vZFr8E)

[sandaroo]

Hopefully it was written up as VC.

[david58]

After WC06, would you have ever expected to see Rooney stepping into a fracas for Ronaldo?:p

[jacoismyhero]

Haha, Rooney's a man's man. Once he steps off the pitch, it's done and over with. As long as you're wearing the same color he is at the time of the altercation, he's got your back.

On topic, that's a horrible image for soccer. The referee dealt with it well, he was on top of things, sent him off quickly and efficiently, and kept the pandemonium to a minimum.

[IASocFan]

Hopefully it was written up as VC.

Hopefully not, because it was a Serious Foul Play! The ball was in play. And the player playing it was the victim of a very serious foul play. Additional details are probably included in the game report - like cleats to the calf with little chance of playing the ball in a violent manner.

[bluedevils]

Hopefully not, because it was a Serious Foul Play! The ball was in play. And the player playing it was the victim of a very serious foul play. Additional details are probably included in the game report - like cleats to the calf with little chance of playing the ball in a violent manner.

Ahh, haven't we had this debate just a few weeks back?! It is debatable between SFP and VC on this challenge. Clearly, we all know what the player was trying to do -- take out Ronaldo. The fact that Ronaldo was in possession of the ball may have legitimized the challenge in the player's mind, and the player probably figured he'd have a better chance of NOT being sent off and/or mobbed by opponents if he performed this foul while Ronaldo actually had the ball. I.e., it would be an obvious VC if Ronaldo did not have the ball, the ref would have an easy red card situation (instead of POSSIBLY going yellow if the player had the ball, which wouldn't be right but it might be possible especially in England), and the Man U players would have swarmed Morrison afterward.