The Wrong Call
Champions League ref admits Steven Gerrard penalty was a bad decision
Swedish Brad Friedel impersonator messes up
The Spanish press and Atletico Madrid have been making muchos fuss about the incredibly soft Steven Gerrard on Tuesday night, and ref Martin Hansson has now spoken about the dive incident:
“From my angle, I am not convinced that it is a penalty but according to UEFA rules I’m not allowed to make any comment on specific match incidents.”
So Martin, you’re not allowed to make any comment on specific match incidents, is that correct? What’s that you were saying about that penalty?
Nov
6
6 responses so far
A.W. // November 6, 2008 at 10:42 am
I really can’t understand how Atletico and the Spanish press can dare to make such a fuss – they should not forget that the bloody ref should have given at least two penalties in favour of Liverpool before that incident. However, he didn’t! Don’t cry over a decision which was unfavourable for your side when you had got preferential treatment by the ref and his assistants practically during the entire match! Moreover, Liverpool was the much better side almost for the entire 90 minutes. For us there is nothing to be ashamed of!
Goonoo // November 6, 2008 at 3:42 pm
A.W. It was still an outrageous dive by Gerrard though. And not for the first time. However, because he’s English of course it was ‘contentious’ or ‘controversial’ not cheating.
Upminster Iron // November 6, 2008 at 4:54 pm
Exactly, Gerrard doesn’t have the right to play God and say “hmm, well I think we deserve something out of this game so it’s okay for me to cheat to achieve that”.
If it had happened against Liverpool, their fans would be furious regardless of whether the other team deserved a point.
Liverpool have been in winning positions against the run of play in about 80% of their matches this season – does that mean their opponents have the right to dive for a penalty at the end to ensure a “fair result”?
AnthonyOA // November 6, 2008 at 5:41 pm
worst dive ever. he even tucked hs arms in so that they wouldn’t leave the box.
what a chode that ref as.
A.W. // November 6, 2008 at 8:34 pm
I not even think it was a dive! I mean, Gerrard did not even appeal for a penalty, he was just on the ground and the ref immediately gave it. I admit, I would not have given a penalty in this situation but Gerrard tried everything, jumped in and I am sure that the collision between the two players (especially when you are in the air) would have brought any player down. @Goonoo: It is not ‘contentious’ or ‘controversial’ only because he is English; he is suspected of diving because sometimes the English just seem to be too obsessed about their players not to dive. When you have a situation like this one, where it can be either a dive or the normal outcome of such a tackle then the suspicion is almost always given priority…
However, we shouldn’t take the matter too serious…
tony s // November 7, 2008 at 5:25 pm
Really. I don’t know why england gets a good reputation I’ve seen Gerrard and Terry do some really nasty things this year. And this one just tops it off. The ref should be relegated to Uefa CUP…
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