‘Horrific, deplorable violence is okay, as long as people don’t say any naughty woids’, to paraphrase Sheila Broflovski. It is seemingly the Football Association’s new mantra, after the governing body’s decision to charge Wayne Rooney with using “offensive, insulting and / or abusive language” today. After all, the body did little when Jamie Carragher sliced open Nani’s left shin; nor when Ashley Cole shot a Chelsea intern; nor when Michael Essien attempted major surgery at the weekend.
Rooney’s crime?
“You fucking beauty,” screamed the striker after lashing home his personal third against West Ham United at the weekend. “What, fucking, what?,” he added as the Sky Sports camera was thrust into his face.
Yet, the FA’s decision is more than simply inconsistent, it smacks of gross victimisation. Indeed, in a sport rife with blue language, used on the pitch and in the terraces, the FA’s response is that of an organisation weak beyond contempt and driven by the media agenda that seeks only to scandalise.
Given the body’s role as prosecutor, judge, jury and executioner it is almost certain the 25-year-old Manchester United striker will receive a two match ban – three if he appeals – ruling Rooney out of the Reds’ games against Fulham and the FA Cup semi-final with Manchester City. It is a gross injustice – one that could cost United in both the Premier League and FA Cup.
‘Ah but think of the children’, critics say, including the BBC, which repeated the apparently offending words at 7.30am on Sunday. For the sake of editorial integrity of course. Then there’s Sky Sports News, Rupert Murdoch’s rolling channel that has played the clip ad infinitum since Saturday lunchtime. The same broadcaster that thrust the camera into Rooney’s face to start with.
Not that there’s a five-year-old in the country who doesn’t hear Rooney’s words repeatedly in the playground. After all, Rooney is no role model; he certainly shouldn’t be. For the ‘sake of the children’ it is those five-year-old’s parents that ought to perform the role.
Yet, while Rooney’s actions at the Boleyn Ground were crass – embarrassing even – the striker almost immediately apologised. In recognising the potential offence caused, the striker sent a clear message that he was genuinely sorry. It should be more than enough.
The FA is having none of it. Not that the body can even call on precedent to support its cause. The F-word is used repeatedly and often audibly at every match in the country without punishment. The governing body is simply reacting to the greater publicly garnered because it is a United player.
Chaired by a former City board member, declared not fit for purpose by the government and desperate to alter the focus off its faltering team, the FA has seized upon a new cause. Swearing! Forget the nation’s technically inept side. Cast away the billion pound Premier League debt. Turn a blind eye to rampant ticket price inflation. Just don’t say any naughty words.
Those inside the game, save for hypocrite Harry Redknapp and his next employers at the FA, know better of course.
“It doesn’t come across very well, but I think you’ve got to understand the emotion of everything,” former Red Gary Pallister told Sky Sports today.
“He’s not the first player to swear when he scores a goal, I think you see a lot players doing it – when you score a goal and the emotions come out, industrial language is part of that release. It’s unfortunate that he did it to the camera, but he’s apologised and I honestly think that’s enough.”
After all, Rooney has suffered months of abuse from the terraces; much of it predictable, plenty no more acceptable than the player’s own words. Not least at the Boleyn Ground where home supporters treated Rooney to a round of “you’re just a fat fucking Scouser” and “you’re just a fat granny-shagger,” both were audible to attending supporters, including presumably ‘ the children’. Had Sky Sport’s pitch-side mics been attenuated towards the stand, not the players, viewers at home would surely have heard the words too.
And that is a crucial point. Broadcasters, the FA, referees, supporters and ‘the children’ all know that crude language is regularly used during football matches. It is part of the earthy excitement. Yet, all choose to ignore it until live cameras are pointed directly at Rooney and the FA gets another shot at its strange kind of glory.
You fucking what? As Rooney might say.
I think Ferguson would love it if Rooney retired from the national team, and would probably even advise him so, if he thought for one moment Rooney might listen… but International football is as important to a players earning power, as anything else they do… Rooney won’t turn his back on the England team… not while there’s still millions to be made.
But… what about the players union? Surely they can see the need to support Rooney here…
“Badges, to god-damned hell with badges! We have no badges. In fact, we don’t need badges. I don’t have to show you any stinking badges, you god-damned cabrón and ching’ tu madre! Come out from that shit-hole of yours. I have to speak to you.””Badges, to god-damned hell with badges! We have no badges. In fact, we don’t need badges. I don’t have to show you any stinking badges, you god-damned cabrón and ching’ tu madre! Come out from that shit-hole of yours. I have to speak to you.”
I think Ferguson would love it if Rooney retired from the national team, and would probably even advise him so, if he thought for one moment Rooney might listen… but International football is as important to a players earning power, as anything else they do… Rooney won’t turn his back on the England team… not while there’s still millions to be made.
But… what about the players union? Surely they can see the need to support Rooney here…
Mark Ogden at the Telegraph claims that United will accept the charge but contest the severity of the punishment…
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/manchester-united/8427335/Manchester-United-risk-losing-Wayne-Rooney-for-longer-after-striker-is-charged-by-Football-Association.html
What I don’t like is this business of extending the ban for a ‘frivolous appeal’. This is surely a clear violation of the principle of a right to a fair hearing. How many times have we succeeded in appealing a charge?
If the Glazers showed as much balls in tackling the FA as they do poor men who go after their financial records, this wouldn’t be happening.
Shows how weak United really is. Pathetic.
Good comment; Glazers didn’t get where they are by allowing themselves to be shafted in business; I’d like to see them flex their muscles on our behalf for once; United is the biggest draw in the Premier League bar none!
This is the outcome of pure envy. You can just see the Bitters and all the YSBs nodding away, “too right, he’s such a nasty young man”. Yet it’s the bitters whose own players FIGHT each other in training – some role model.
And as for Liverpool, well where do we even start. I see the cold, evil hand of the Russian mafiya here once again. Having needed the contracted help from Mr Atkinson in two crucial matches against United, would you have any doubts about their ability to nobble an FA panel? Far less powerful or wealthy crime gangs manage to do so with juries, so for an organised ‘firm’ like Chavski, or the oil-rich Citeh – easy!
Let me reiterate what I wrote in another thread since it seems more appropriate in this one. If Englishmen feel bad, well, too bad, its the truth.
FFS, the Board of Control for Cricket in India is a better organization and less corrupt than the English FA. And this is saying a lot.
And English people wonder why the world is against them they play in international tournaments.
This is why. Grow the fuck up. Rooney should now retire from international football. His country doesn’t care about him. What is it with you English? You did the same to Beckham, now Rooney too.
Your lot doesn’t deserve footballing talent.
TBH I’ve no sympathy for Rooney. He earns what, 200k a week from United, and probably at least the same again from sponsors and all the rest of it. So he’s probably on close to half a million quid PER WEEK, his absurd reward for being an entertainer, and now we can’t even expect him to control himself enough in front the cameras, the very same cameras that pour an endless stream of cash into his pockets? The rest have to deal with stress and emotions in our jobs, for a lot less money, why shouldn’t he for a fucking ridiculous king’s bounty every seven days?
If Rooney gets banned that’s him letting us down, letting United down AGAIN this season because of his ego. He thinks he’s more important than everything else. Maybe the FA is unfair, so what. Suck it up and control yourself for the sake of the club.
FWIW I think suspending players is the wrong approach — they should have two weeks’ salary dinged straightaway for incidents like this. They can control themselves for their sponsors — if Nike or Adidas asked for Rooney to parade around Old Trafford in a g-string he’d do it. Suspending them just feeds their ego more, keeps them the centre of attention. Hit their wallet and move on, no story, no attention, just him them the only place 99% of footballers care about anymore.
No-one is disputing what Rooney did was foolish – the problem is that he will be severely punished by the FA whereas if a Liverpool, Arsenal or Chelsea player does it they will get off with it!
Remember Gerard sticking 2 fingers up to Andre Mariner and telling him to f**k off? Remember Cesc Fabregas’ comments about the match officials in the tunnel against Everton? Remember John Terry’s rugby tackle on Man City’s Jo in 2008? No action taken in the first 2 cases and the head of referees intervened in Terrys case to ensure he was available for the game against United.
All we asking for is equal and fair treatment – nothing more!
Really good point re Stevie-G and his outburst.
Remember a few years back, Rooney got a total bullshit red in the FRIENDLY Amsterdam tournament. Banned. Gerrard got a deserved red. Nada.
I admit refs do sometimes bend our way, but the FA fucking hate us. Rio’s ban springs to mind.
Harry Redknapp’s jumped on the bandwagon too. That son of a b should have been banned from the touchline after his tirade against the Nani goal.
It’ll be funny to see Spurs not even playing in the Champs League next season. Rather City in it than that arrogant prick.
Let’s get some profanity ridden chants going for the rest of the season, and make sure they can hear us loud and clear.
its fucking bullshit. what the fuck do you expect when you stick a camera into his face when he’s just scored a hat-trick and given his team the lead for the first time in one of the most important matches of the season?
its the same thing they do when they ask for managers’ interviews as soon as the fucking match has ended and they want them to be nice and polite.
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGHHHHHHHHHHH
Give up your Ingerlund shirt Wayne; those losers don’t give a stuff about you – you’re just a piece of meat to them! This will make it all the more sweeter when you lift our 19th title in May!
There’s no way this charge holds water.
Its not Rooney’s job to regulate what gets broadcast to the public, its Sky’s. They put the camera in his face and turned on the Mic. They’re the one’s who could have a couple of seconds delay between filming and live feed, to bleep out any inappropriate material.
So if the charge is for using foul and abusive language then they have to hit every single player with it. And they’re isn’t one that won’t swear during the course of a match.
Fucking ridiculous. I’m even more pissed this morning than i was yesterday.
Rooney apologized and they should have been more lenient towards him.
But it’s only because he is Wayne Rooney that this is happening.
Come on Bernie… I agree that Rooney was stupid, especially considering the attention Fergie and United have been getting lately… but there’s more to it than just a spoilt, rich twat, acting the arse for the cameras benefit.
Upton shithole is notorious for its racist, asshole fans… and Rooney had been copping dogs abuse the whole bastard game, which undoubtably only got worse with every goal he scored… the third one gave us the lead and, Rooney burst… stupid, but not malicious.
Right or wrong, punishing Rooney is hypocrisy at it’s worst… and with so much at stake, at this stage of the season, it’s no wonder so many United fans see a conspiracy at work.
By the way… I’m not so sure we should appeal… public opinion seems to be against United… and many ABUs even claim he got off lightly, if you can believe it… the FA won’t feel any need to reverse their decision, and in fact, if they do, I expect there will be indignant outrage at the mythical United bias.
Fuck em… Rooney gets a rest… Fergie adds to the siege mentality… Berbatov/Chico get a start against Fulham, which should be enough, if we’re serious about the title… and we do what we can in the cup against the Bitters… Rooney can build up resentment, and let loose in the second leg… which to be honest, is the least important of the 3 we’re fighting for anyway.
It’s a farce for sure… but we’d be better off to rise above it, and tell them all to “fuck off”.
Wait what? There’s a second leg in the semi final of the FA Cup?
But there may be another loss of form after Rooney’s back as well; it’s not necessarily rest.
I think it was hard for him to find the touch after the previous, Amsterdam (?), ban.
Absolute fucking bastards
It would have been worse if he hadn’t have apologised
The FA of London are going to do everything they can it seems to keep the Prem trophy in the capital.
John Terry or Steve Gerrard could have ran over to the camera, swore, mooned and slapped his c**k against the camera lens a few times, and the FA would have swept it under the carpet.
I really don’t get why people are complaining about the swearing. I never heard it live it was only when someone posted it on Facebook later on that I had any idea about it.
Comments from Taylor at the PFA:
“Whilst the use of foul and abusive language is not condoned, there is an acceptance by all parties within the game that ‘industrial language’ is commonly used.
“It becomes an issue when directed towards match officials. However, when used in a spontaneous way in celebration or frustration then it is not normally expected to merit a sanction.
“If sanctions are to be imposed in such circumstances then this has to be done in a balanced and consistent manner, and participants made aware of this fundamental change in approach.”
Spot on.
Dinkinflicker – spot on. Will the FA now ban every player who audibly swears? Or is it simply the act of doing it into the camera… because there’s nothing in their own rules about that. Only the use of offensive language, which they’ve always turned a blind eye to.
Right… my mistake… fuck it…
Shame though… I’d love to deny the Bitters a trophy… and having said that… they’ll feel all the pressure… Mancini will play negative as fuck, for fear of losing, and we should do ’em even without Rooney.
Why did the TV cunts show Rooney swearing at the camera
Why didn’t they cut one of the other live cameras like they do when a streaker runs onto the pitch – they focus on cunts in the crowd so you can’t see the fellas knob flopping about
This carry on and the 10 team cricket world cup farce just shows that when it comes to patient governance sport really is in a league of its own.
Ok I didn’t like the way Rooney behaved but you can’t ban him and let the rest carry on with career threatening tackles and shooting people!!!
Kangaroo court time!!
Ed, this is a typical, ill-thought out FA knee jerk reaction. What are the charges about the language used?
“Insulting” -who was he insulting? Clearly no person either in the stadium or watching on TV.
“Abusive” – who was he abusing? Ditto.
So the charge rests on Rooney “offending”. Who? presumbaly a significant number of Sky viewers. Were they .. actually … offended? Apparently not; there were ‘very few’ complaints.
From now on in, apparently, the use of the words “fuck” or “fucking” by any player or manager, in any situation, caught my mic will result in a two match ban. What about the word clearly being uttered & caught by camera? Presumably referees should now be instructed if they hear these words used, in any situation,they should either report the matter to the FA or RED card the offender.
I rarely go for conspiracy theories but this seems to be an exception.
Yet another example (as if one were needed) of the hypocrisy of this charge – I was watching the Peterboro v Bournemouth game on Friday night. Towards the end of the game the ref blew for a foul against the big forward playing for Bournemouth (Fletcher i think he was called)at which point the player turned and shouted ‘You haven’t got a Fucking clue’ repeatedly at the ref. Now whilst this wasn’t picked up by the mic, i could lip read him clear as day. The camera hung on him for several seconds, and he repeated this more than once, directly at the ref.
Now
a) the fact that i saw it – could that not be deemed just as offensive?
b) much more importantly, this was foul and abusive language used directly within the context of the game AND was done to directly undermine the ability of the match official.
We’ve had charges laid at our door for exactly the same offences. Any sanctions forthcoming for the Bournemouth lad?? Are there fuck.
this is a disgrace.. fergie wil do his nut
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/12950670.stm
This is lunacy of the highest order.
“shall, at all times” for me is the key qualifier
If this was a legal situation of any kind, and I was acting as counsel, I would bring up as much footage as possible of players clearly swearing in a game and, moreover, the Redknapp incident on youtube and no doubt countless other similar things. I would show that the FA has shown a complete disregard to this rule in the past, especially as the rule quite clearly states “at all times”. Foul and abusive language – well, quite clearly, for virtually 90 muinutes of every single game of football in England at the professional level you will hear foul and abusive language.
So, can we expect to see the FA taking the complete hardline and banning a player for 2 games from each game until this is sorted?
The FA has MASSIVE priorities – sorting out the technically deficient football team it calls England, the whole football finance situation, and just about a million other complete messes. How about they get to sorting those out?
Rooney should sack England off. Simple as. You want to ban me for the way I behave, fine. Just don’t expect me to play for yous.
Incidentally – what about the incident where he “brought the game into disrepute” when he moaned about the Ingurlund fans on camera? I mean, that was picked up and broadcast everywhere? Where was his ban for that?
Rooney skipped training today in an attempt to keep him out of the limelight
He’s traveling with the squad, and according to Owen’s Twitter, shitloads of journalists are following them in the hope of getting a glimpse of the antichrist himself
Imagine it… one photo of Rooney smiling, having a laugh during training and tomorrow’s headlines will be “Rooney ecstatic as children die”
roo has accepted the charge of using offensive language, but not the automatic two-match ban.
he could miss the newcastle game too if the appeal is found to be frivolous
The FA can use any bullshit excuse and know that they will get away with it. Nobody will hold them accountable the next time something like this occurs (i.e – in relation to a player from another club).
They’ve probably already decided that the appeal is frivolous. It’s Manchester United’s player who is involved here. Of course the appeal is frivolous.
And the appeal’s right before a Champs League game. Goddamn russian money.
A good article, from a surprising source…
http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/opinion/columnists/oliver-holt/Oliver-Holt-on-swearing-Wayne-Rooney-The-FA-are-rightly-keen-on-Respect-so-why-aren-t-they-showing-any-to-Manchester-United-striker-article720335.html
Where’s the match thread?
Sheesh – had some tech issues, will be up before KO. Hopefully people won’t start 50 others before then. If they do, I’ll merge them all.
Mufc team in full: vds, Evra, rio, Rooney, Giggs, park, Chicharito, Vidic, Carrick, Rafael, Valencia
Man United subs- Kuszczak, Berbatov, Smalling, Nani, Scholes, Evans and Gibson
Chelsea: Cech, Ivanovic, Cole, Essien, Ramires, Lampard, Torres, Drogba, Bosingwa, Zhirkov, Terry
2 match ban confirmed.
Cunts.
Fa twats,
Rooney should tell the fa that he is no longer playing for England, if they continue to be cuntish towards him.
The whole things bollocks.
How can you ban a scouser for swearing? That’s like shooting a Monkey for eating bananas.
This whole Rooney situation is an utter farce, but this really annoyed me:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/12992211.stm
Who the fuck is Clive Woodward to start having a say on this? He knows fuck all about football, it annoyed me the other day when Harry Redknapp was sticking his nose in on the matter when it’s nothing to do with him, but at least he’s actually a football man, the closest Woodward has come to being involved in football is wearing a suit in Southampton’s director’s box. The rugby comparisons have been annoying me too, when I was listening to 6-0-6 on Saturday there was a couple of callers (as there always seems to be any time any player from anywhere is in any kind of disciplinary trouble) talking about how rugby players are more respectful, calling the ref sir, etc. and about how football should adopt rugby rules such as the sin bin, and people like that really wind me up! Football and rugby are two completely different sports, with different rules, disciplines, fans and levels of passion, and you just can’t compare them, despite multiple rugby fans’ insistence on keep trying!
Redknapp’s a fucking twat. Talking about winning the Premier League because he bough VDV. Can’t wait to see Spurs fall apart once Modric and Bale leave in the summer.
tbf, rugby is for nonces and queers
I’d like Rooney and Rio to retire from the England squad. How can you want to play for a country that doesn’t support you? In fact they boo you at every ground you play.
Hope Rooney has the balls to do this.
Oh and bring on Redknapp as England manager. The comedy that would ensue brings a smile to my face just thinking about it.
shame that he can’t stick 2 fingers up to the fa for each of the games he will miss
but did any of us seriously think that this scouser would get the same treatment handed out to him as that gerard scouse cunt?
So how will we line up against City? Berbatov and Hernandez up front? Berbatov can play his false 10 role.
I think this ban was deserved and for once the FA did the right thing to uphold this.
The difference b/w this incident and incidents like the O’shea one where he shouts ‘That’s a fucking foul’ is that Rooney actually directed this at the camera fully aware that this will be heard in national television.
It’s fun when this happens generally but can we really complain with the punishment meted out? We’re lucky we have Berbatov and Chicarito both still in top form.
How can you say the ban was deserved when there is no precedent for the FA to go on? The simple fact was that, as they have done in the past, they wanted to make an example of a Manchester United player because that’s the easiest thing to do.
What the FA have done is open a can of worms. If we had a genuinely critical and free-thinking media in this country, the FA would be held to account for the glaring double standards they have shown between our players and those of other teams.
Do you honestly think another player will be given the same punishment for a similar offence in future? Will we see similar scrutiny from the FA?
If the FA genuinely gave a toss about swearing, they would have withdrawn Rooney from the World Cup team last year, when he did exactly the same thing. Why didn’t they do that? Why didn’t they punish Gerrard when he stuck 2 fingers up at Andre Marriner and escaped without sanction.
Amazing that a United fan can even think such a thing.
someone’s been drinking from the mong well again
Your point is about the consistency shown by the FA. Stevie should’ve had a big ban.
But Rooney still deserved that ban. Drogba was banned by UEFA for how many games?
I don’t understand how any employee in any organisation can say that and expect no punishment. He wasn’t caught on camera swearing. He aimed that at the camera – deliberately. Rooney’s working at the end of the day. You being a goldfish have forgotten that.
A United supporter can think it. You’re more of a Rooney supporter seems like.
Drogba got a longer ban because he implied the game was fixed and the ref cheated
Face it Dozer bollocks, he’s our best player by a country mile. The end.
Classic cap!
You’re digressing. And it’s not like I’m glad Rooney’s been banned.
The voice of reason.
And thank fuck the police have now had their say too – we can’t have this sort of carry on. Frankly, I’m disappointed that we haven’t heard from Cameron on this and as per, the Royals have been conspicuous by their silence. And as for the fact that Obama’s said nothing, well don’t even get me started.
Don’t these prima donnas realise that my children are now scarred for life? Rooney’s sentence is 2 games. My Son’s and Daughter’s is for life. I hope he’s proud.
Rooney swearing > Nuclear meltdown in Japan > 800 dead in Ivory Coast > uprising in the middle east & north Africa
Only news of Kate Middleton’s wedding dress can get Wazza out of the headlines
Point is Dozey, he did’nt go looking for a camera, it was thrust in his, massive, massive difference. Yes he was a cock for doing it! But its spare of the moment stuff, shit happens in the passion of the moment.
But the fact remains, if the camera had’nt have been threw in his face, he would’nt be serving a ban now. Thats why its a cunts trick and a proper stitch up.
I am sick to the back teeth, with the self righteous cunts spouting their vile bullshit about Rooney behaving this and that… every fuckin web site has a debate on this subject, and every debate has the same spiteful, bitter cunts bleeting the same ridiculous horse shit!… now I’m reading it from United fans as well… pathetic…
Rooney should control himself, and set an example… WHY? Because he’s on the telly?
Not too long ago, he was just a thick scouse twat, kicking a ball around the park… he is what he is… the product of a rough Liverpool upbringing… and now, 25 years old, he’s stinking fuckin rich and playing for the most hated team in the country… and the envy, or subject of hatered for every football fan in the country… who teaches someone like Rooney how to deal with this new reality?
Week after week, he cops dogs abuse from thousands of opposing fans… hundreds of neandertal cretins shouting obscenities right in his fuckin lugholes, about him, his heritage, and even his wife… and he’s got to suck it up, and perform… a malicious and devious media, asking him intrusive questions with the primary objective of winding him up like a clockwork clown… Rooney acting like a cunt is a better story than Rooney behaving himself… and when he DOES trip up… out come the knives.
OK, so he fucked up… swore at the camera… not clever, and it pissed me off as well… but there is only so much you can expect from Rooney…
I would love to put some of you cunts under this intense scrutiny… and fire insults and abuse at you… day after day, week after week… wonder how you would cope… bet you wouldn’t be so smug then.
Cunts… the lot of you… but the United fans are the worst… you’re supposed to be Rooneys haven. OT is supposed to be his home, the one place he can feel safe, knowing no one there is trying to stab him in the back.
Fuck off!
“Badges, to god-damned hell with badges! We have no badges. In fact, we don’t need badges. I don’t have to show you any stinking badges, you god-damned cabrón and ching’ tu madre! Come out from that shit-hole of yours. I have to speak to you.”
Cunts? Plural?
If Rooney’s allowed to think publicly about moving to another club, any United supporter is entitled to think he’s an excellent footballer and a woeful human being.
no you fuck off – if you read the comments on here, most of us are behind rooney and not in favour of the fa – its only the likes of the dozey twat who is saying the fa got it right so the rest of us shouldn’t be tarnished with the twats opinion on this.
Yeah OT is his haven alright, stuffing him a little protective cocoon of 240 grand every week, because any less and he’d be off. I don’t deny that he gets lots of scrutiny, that he gets constant abuse, that the FA are biased wankers, or any of the rest of it. Yeah that’s all shit, but he gets paid a mind-blowing lot of money to look past that and get on with the job.
I can’t believe Alf thinks I’m a cunt….what a bitch.
I look forward to the FA punishing Ancelotti for calling the referee’s professionalism in question. They’ll probably punish him more severely than Fergie because he’s ignored that precedent. I’m being 100% sarcastic of course.
Suck my dick!
I was RANTING!… I might not have worded it EXACTLY as I meant, but I think I pointed out who I was ranting at… if it doesn’t apply to you, then don’t take it personally.
Oh fuck off… he’s not the only one to earn millions… and money doesn’t buy a thicker skin.
I’m not defending Rooney as a person… from what I’ve seen he’s an asshole… but I’m talking about this self righteous argument that claims Rooney should behave differently than anyone else, just because he’s a footballing icon.
I’ve yet to meet anyone who isn’t offended when someone calls their wives, girlfriends a slag… and I don’t know too many self respecting men that wouldn’t slap you in the mouth if you said it to their face.
If you were referring to me, that I never said. When it comes to Rooney you’re Stevie Wonder, so I’ll leave it at that.
http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Exclusive-Referees-have-revolted-against-the-FA-for-using-Lee-Mason-to-write-a-report-so-Manchester-United-s-Wayne-Rooney-could-be-charged-for-swearing-article721116.html
Interesting…
Very interesting
The FA put pressure on the ref so that they could ban Rooney – that’s corruption
It seems as though they have an agenda against him
This adds even more mystery to me. If the ref is saying that he’d have sent him off, that can be for nothing other than the language element. Being a prick on camera is not in any football legislation to my knowledge. Which surely means ANY instance of foul language has to be punished in a similar way, regardless of whether its directed at a camera.
This sets a precedence and if there isn’t consistency from this point onwards, United’s lawyers should be all over it like a tramp on chips.
What I find suspicious is that we’re not making more of this.
If this is true, then something is very wrong, and should be exposed.
Not since Rio Ferdinand’s ban have I been this annoyed by stuff coming from the FA and against Man Utd. I am very annoyed. Seething. So, I am trying to not to comment.
Sir Alex Ferguson has accused Superintendent Mark Payne of “needing to be noticed” after his pointed comments about Wayne Rooney yesterday.
Payne, responsible for managing responses to crime and operations in Wolverhampton, claimed he would have expected his officers to have arrested Rooney had the Manchester United striker replicated his four-letter outburst at Upton Park on Saturday in a public place.
The suggestion brought a withering response from Ferguson, who said: “Everyone has an opinion today. There is an issue in the modern world of a need to be noticed. There is a wee guy, sitting down there in the Midlands, probably never been recognised in his life, managed to elevate himself to whatever it is in the police force.”
He added: “Have you ever seen Wolverhampton on a Saturday night? Do police ever arrest anyone for swearing on a Saturday night? Dearie me. That is a good one.”
Payne said on his blog on policing: “If Rooney had behaved like that in Wolverhampton on Saturday night, I would have expected my officers to lock him up.
“People in positions of influence have an obligation to behave like human beings. It is not a lot to ask.”
Mr Payne went on: “I have seen a thousand Rooneys, and I am sure most police officers will have.
“The same aggressive stance, the bulging eyes, the foul-mouthed rant, fists clenched, surrounded by his mates, all cheering him on.
“I have seen this on Friday and Saturday nights, as young men (and more often young ladies) engage in a ‘good night out’.
“My officers will face more Rooneys over the weekend, no doubt somebody will be injured in some meaningless fight. An officer will have to go and tell a parent that their son or daughter is in hospital as a result.”
That’s the most scathing I’ve ever seen Fergie be. He isn’t even acting upset anymore. He has accepted that United are being targeted and generating some good sarcasm.
I hope he withers the post match interviewer with another of these gems.
By the way, what the hell is Clive Woodward doing commenting on Fergie, he should stick to rugger bugger, bald tosser.
the fuck? did fergie actually say that? respect to him
yeah that’s priceless by Fergie
what a fucking twat – obviously needs to boost his media image by joining in with his 2pence worth – he should stick to shoving rugby balls up his arse