Wednesday, September 05, 2007

Agree it isn't a conspiracy... however, coaches are saying similar, if toned down, things...

I agree it isn't a conspiracy. However, there are unintented consequences of the FFA's actions that they should have thought about.

For me, if Tiatto's tackle deserves suspension then every tackle in that category must lead to suspension. It cost the Roar the game against Newcastle. McLaren had to make all the tackles and got two yellows for his trouble, and it led to Packer playing too much and re-injuring his leg - out again.

Frank Farina's article in the Courier Mail last Friday points to the need for the FFA to be consistent. I take it further and say they need to be transparent. People need to know the rules before they run on the pitch, in this competition one set of stolen points and you miss the finals.

Sydney FC's coach has also indicated that he thinks the FFA are not focusing enough on the A-League with his comments in today's Australian. However, his comments are that this week should be a bye because of international duty. Fortunately, or unfortunately, the Roar doesn't have any current national squad members.

Plus I say whoever injured Juninho should be out for 3 weeks (Juninho is out for at least 6 weeks).

2 comments:

Hamish Alcorn said...

I think you should be careful John. When you argue, "if Tiatto's tackle deserves suspension then every tackle in that category must lead to suspension," then you are arguing for consistency and I am right with you, but when you speak of "unintented consequences of the FFA's actions that they should have thought about," and "whoever injured Juninho should be out for 3 weeks," you seem to be suggesting tackles should be treated more seriously if they involve a greater pecuniary risk to the FFA - in my view just another type of ad hoc policy of inconsistency.

Cecilia said...

A nasty tackle is a nasty tackle. If we're going to be consistent, then penalise the action, not the outcome.

It gets a bit silly if you start to make punishments based on the the health of the fouled player. You could studs up tackle Liam Reddy and studs up tackle me. I'm out for far longer due to the injury but the foul was the same, it's not really fair on the player who tackled me, is it?

Also, let's not forget that Muscat was suspended for 3 weeks in season one for a studs up tackle against Petrovski. For Tiatto to get away with a two footed stomp of sorts (I decided to find the tackle in the copy of the match I have) and only be penalised one week is hardly fair.

Inconsistency happens, it's a fault of human nature. You'll just have grin and bear it, because unfortunately the solution won't be here in time for Round 4.