Monday, March 24, 2008

Descent argument descends into farce

Chris O'Keefe

Javier Mascherano's reaction to his sending off was perhaps undignified. However, the preceding events, the Argentine midfielder should have reason to question referee Steve Bennett's reasoning for his dismissal.

Shaun Custis highlighted Mascherano's labelling by ever knowledgeable Sun as the "dumbest man on the planet" in the wake of the Ashley Cole 'incident'. After all Mascherano should of course tread carefully as a consequence of someone else's actions (unpunished of course).

This is not a vindication of the player's actions, the attempts at restraint by his teammates openly suggest they were suspicious of the "card happy" referee in charge. However, his actions and punishment do not yield comparison with other incidents such as Ashley Cole's conflict with Mike Riley or even countless moments where the referee has been subjected to "descent" as its been called.

For the issue of descent to be truly dealt with the culture of refereeing - both their ability to control proceedings and how players react to them should be dramatically redefined. For example, if Alain Rolland or Andre Watson who have both refereed at the highest level in Rugby Union were to officiate in football, how many players would stay on the pitch? Mascherano would have been one of many to bite the bullet yesterday!

Players know in football that they push the boundaries of interrogation when it comes to officials, hence Mascherano tame by comparison questioning of Steve Bennett. Bennett's ability to control has been discussed in a public forum before, not always favourably.

Those looking after the rules of the game and how they're acted upon in a match simulation need to look at how they approach dealing with players. Then there would be no more Chelsea huddles around the referee trying to influence decisions, no next Roy Keane and lieutenants arguing about a free-kick. Mascherano isn't the dumbest man on the planet, the powers that be hold that mantle thinking the status quo is acceptable with no need to question anyone else but the players union. It would be nearly as naive as the headline that makes the scapegoat!


posted by C O'K @ 1:22 pm 0 comments

Sunday, March 02, 2008

Luck changing in the wind

Bolton 1-3 Liverpool

Chris O'Keefe

A fortuitous own goal from a Steven Gerrard effort set Liverpool on their way to another three points so vital to their quest to qualify for next season's Champions League.

Gerrard's shot was heading wide of Jussi Jaaskelainen's right hand post when the Bolton keeper failed to control the ball in windy conditions, bouncing off his head and spinning into his own net. Embarrasing for Bolton's stopper, relief for Liverpool. Until that point, Bolton had much of the play in the first ten minutes. El-Hadji Diouf's free kick hit a post and Liverpool also had to scramble a loose ball away from their goal line during a nervy opening.

However, after the first goal, Liverpool were far more settled and started to control the pace of the game, Mascherano, Alonso and Gerrard putting in strong performances in midfield. Ryan Babel was causing headaches for Wanderers down their right-hand side and he scored Liverpool's second on the hour mark. Dirk Kuyt saw his shot rebound off the post before rebounding to Babel who tucked a low shot inside Jaaskelainen's left hand post. The points seemed destined to be Liverpool's.

The result was made certain when Fabio Aurelio latched onto a clearance from a corner and hit a superb effort into the bottom right corner. Liverpool were three up and full value for the lead. Bolton had little to counter the threat as Liverpool kept pouring forward. Indeed Bolton's goal was barely consolation with the game won. Tamir Cohen, son of former Liverpool player Avi, caught Liverpool's defence asleep from a corner that was a debatable decision.

No worry for Liverpool. They now play their game in hand against West Ham in midweek. A win at home and against Newcastle would put Liverpool back into the box seat ahead of their long awaited trip to the San Siro and the task of seeing off Italian champions Inter Milan to advance to the quarter finals of the European Cup.

posted by C O'K @ 3:07 pm 0 comments