If I could one have one wish granted in ways to improve the A-League in “Version 5.0″ (come to think of it, is there a statute of limitations on “versions”?) it is do away with this ridiculous rule that on-field trangressions cannot be dealt with by the FFA Match Review Panel if the referee at the time of the incident saw fit to not place it on report.
Kevin Muscat, the dirtiest-cum-craftiest player in Australian football got away with a raking action foot stomp on Daniel Mullen this week, the FFA declaring “as the matter did not escape the attention of the referee, the MRP has no authority to intervene.”
Meanwhile disgruntled Brazilian Cassio is being hauled over hot coals for making a fist-pumping gesture to the crowd after copping his second yellow card.
“FFA has alleged that Cassio has breached the National Code of Conduct in relation to his conduct following the issue of the second yellow card.”
His punishment will be decided Wednesday.
There is something very wrong with the system if stomping on a prostrate, defenceless player goes unpunished while a heat-of-the-moment harmless rebuke of the crowd is deemed sanctionable.
Look at the video yourself and make up your own mind. In my opinion, there appears to be premeditation, his knee cocked inward, his left foot coming down on an unusual angle for someone supposedly attempting to recover a ball.
The ball itself is a good foot away from his boot.
There should certainly be enough doubt about Muscat’s intentions to at least place the incident on report to be dealt with after the match, in the manner high tackles are reported in rugby league.
Why is that so hard to do in football?
I can guarantee you that if such refereeing provisions were in place that the incidence of “dirty” behaviour in football would be dramatically reduced.
As it is stands presently, though, many players are quite happy to slip in a punch, an elbow, a sly kick, knowing chances are they will get away with it.
Make no mistake: Muscat is a formidable character on the pitch and it is a brave referee who comes up against him. But he is not a protected species, so why does it appear he is consistently treated as such?
A cynic would say that Muscat hasn’t been sanctioned for his rake of Mullen because the FFA wouldn’t dare suspend him for the grand final.
In all honesty I don’t think that is the case but, all the same, a grand final without Muscat would be disastrous for the code.
However the National Rugby League, it should be pointed out, didn’t allow Cameron Smith’s stature in the game to permit him to play for Melbourne Storm in last season’s NRL grand final following his “grapple tackle” on Brisbane forward Sam Thaiday in the finals.
Smith was slugged with a two-game ban on the basis of video evidence.
He wasn’t even placed on report. At the time, all his indiscretion warranted at the discretion of the match referee was a penalty.
But the NRL, in its commitment to eradicating the scourge of this dangerous tackle from the sport, showed some nerve and charged Smith anyway.
The FFA should have done the same with Muscat. And in letting it go, they’ve let us all down.
Recommend this story.
- Explore:
- FFA Match Review Panel, Kevin Muscat
February 18th 2009 @ 9:09am
Towser said | February 18th 2009 @ 9:09am | Report comment
So if its a FIFA thing whats this article about?
Whats the point in writing articles with a particular slant, in this case having a go at the FFA when its nothing to do with them.
Surely this sort of article only has substance if the FFA are involved. As there not its garbage no more no less.
If dasilva & Luke Broadbent are wrong I apologise, if not its rubbish.
Even if it was the FFA’s fault Kevin Muscat looked more like “Marcel Marceau” than the wrestler ” Manuel Mangler”in this incident. Rake more like a Cadburys flake.
February 18th 2009 @ 9:13am
Koala Bear said | February 18th 2009 @ 9:13am | Report comment
Jesse,
Melburnians think they are all above the law.. no matter what code of Football they play…. And any decisions that go against them is deemed as a conspiracy made up by all other Australians living outside their state .. That’s why FFA will not act on Muscat … Ben Buckley is a Victorian …
~~~~~~~~~
KB
February 18th 2009 @ 9:16am
dasilva said | February 18th 2009 @ 9:16am | Report comment
Towser
The excuse given for the Joel Griffiths not being suspended
Was that our hands are tied and FFA can’t intervene as referee has dealt with the issue on the field
However there have been extreme cases (eg. Ben Thatcher) where the federation has intervene and FIFA has approved it but it’s an exception not a rule. IMO Joel Griffiths should have been counted as an extreme case as it was a disgrace.
February 18th 2009 @ 9:31am
Finno said | February 18th 2009 @ 9:31am | Report comment
I agree the last thing football need is a Kevin Muscat type player getting away with stomping. Kevin Muscat is a on lout and refs should have a good hard look at him. It would take a brave ref to stand up against him, but that thier bloody job!!
Im not saying that Muscats the only one, we have Tiatto, who has a reputation that is starting to cause him harm as any 50/50 ball that Tiatto wins end up being a penalty to the opposing side. All players stand on your opposite numbers foot, jersey grab, punch in the kidneys, elbow etc it part of the rough and tumble of the game. But Muscat is more than obvious in his action and almost acts with impunity as Melbourne are the favorites and no one want to see an upset, from the galmour team in the A – League. Consistancy to dealing with on field actions is the key.
February 18th 2009 @ 9:44am
Jesse Fink said | February 18th 2009 @ 9:44am | Report comment
“It’s a FIFA thing.” It’s a principle thing, Towser. Yes, the FFA adheres to the rules and regulations set down by the mandarins in Switzerland, but they can be challenged or circumvented – as other readers have said. I also agree with Dasilva on the Griffiths incident. It was a disgrace.
February 18th 2009 @ 10:07am
Pippinu said | February 18th 2009 @ 10:07am | Report comment
I honestly didn’t see anything wrong with what Muscat did.
Mullen is lying face first on the ground and has the ball between his legs right next to his buttocks.
It’s an unfortunate position to be in, especially with Muskie over the top of you – but doesn’t Muskie have a right to get the ball out of there? Or is me meant to wait for Mullent to get up first?
February 18th 2009 @ 10:14am
Towser said | February 18th 2009 @ 10:14am | Report comment
Jesse
If its a principle thing & FIFA are behind that lack of principle then why does this article not read ” NRL shows courage whilst FIFA runs for cover”?
Why bring another sport into it anyway? If the principle is wrong its wrong. Because somebody else may have got it correct in relation to their sport doesnt change the fact that football has it wrong by the nature of the game of football.
Horses for courses.
February 18th 2009 @ 10:16am
Vicentin said | February 18th 2009 @ 10:16am | Report comment
Pippinu – at the nexus where “one-eyed” meets “blind as a bat”. I understand you defending your captain (and interview subject) but ……….. case closed.
…a ball between his legs next to his buttocks – with Muskie on top of him! WTF? And Aurelio got in trouble for a few words!
February 18th 2009 @ 10:23am
Sam said | February 18th 2009 @ 10:23am | Report comment
Muscat leads a charmed life. If we had a proper review panel he would have copped quite a few suspensions by now.
Pip
Don’t defend Muscat. I never defended Kossie if he did something silly (when he was Sydney FC coach).
February 18th 2009 @ 10:36am
Pippinu said | February 18th 2009 @ 10:36am | Report comment
Vicentin/Sam
the ball is right there, almost affixed to his buttocks – does Muskie have a right to go for it or not – and surely any incidental contacts is totally different to intentionally stomping someone?
Mullen will learn to keep his feet next time – Muskie has taught him a valuable footballing lesson that you don’t pick up out on the training track.