Monday, November 30, 2009

FFA Match Committee have consistency opportunity

The question is will the Match Committee treat Rikki Herbert in the same way as other A-League coaches have been for leaving their technical areas and arguing with the ref and his assistants. I think the going rate is $500 and 2 weeks in the stands. I watched Herbert sitting at the Roar end of his bench - unsighted as Muscat took out Oar. Yet he walked beyond the half way line to intimidate the ref and his assistants.

The Committee also needs to review the behaviour of Durante and several Wellington players. Their man handling of ref Milliner. The benchmark is Bas Van Den Brink. Start with 4 weeks.

It was great to see Alan Milliner ref his first game. Even better to see him pick up what some of the A-League refs usually miss. Matty Muscat's after the play elbow to Tommy Oar. For Brisbane fans Muscat's actions - which the replay clearly shows were violent and done with intent to injure - where a continuation of his aggression towards Oar in the first match-up at Lang Park (round 3 in August). That game 1-1 with the Roar dominant but unable to capitalise - what a home win then could have made. Muscat got a yellow on half time in that game and was lucky to survive the match. Oar was carded in the 86th for an altercation with Muscat and off in the 88th. Milliner was having none of Muscat's thuggish behaviour.

The question is will the Match Committee treat Rikki Herbert in the same way as other A-League coaches have been for leaving their technical areas and arguing with the ref and his assistants. I think the going rate is $500 and 2 weeks in the stands. I watched Herbert sitting at the Roar end of his bench - unsighted as Muscat took out Oar. Yet he walked beyond the half way line to intimidate the ref and his assistants.

The Committee also needs to review the behaviour of Durante and several Wellington players. Their man handling of ref Milliner. The benchmark is Bas Van Den Brink.

Perhaps Herbert's post match comments should also be reviewed to see if they brought the game into disrepute.

'Milliner, handling his first A-League game in his home city, was not in Wellington coach Ricki Herbert's good books after sending Phoenix defender Manny Muscat off in the 57th minute for violent conduct in raising his elbow at Roar teenager Tommy Oar. If Muscat was surprised to see Milliner pull out a red card, Herbert appeared stunned when asked about the incident that will go to the match review committee on Monday.

"I've got quite a strong opinion on it and I guess we'll channel that through the right areas," said Herbert when asked about the sending off. When asked it he was unhappy about he replied: "Do you think I should be?" ' By Wayne Heming via Fox Sports



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