Before writing this article and tackling the subject at hand, let me start off by saying that I’m a huge fan of Vincent Kompany – he conducts himself well, leads by example and is an excellent representative for the current Premier League champions Manchester City. What can’t be questioned though, is that every now and again (happens with most players, I’m sure) he has a moment of poor judgement.
On Sunday, in City’s 2-0 win over Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium, he was given his marching orders for a two-footed lunge on Jack Wilshere. Replays prove that Kompany took the ball and not too much of the man, hence why City are lodging a case for the FA. What the replays do prove though, from one particular angle, is that both Vincent Kompany’s feet are off the floor. If that’s the case, then the referee must follow the letter of the law and show the red.
Shortly following Kompany’s exit for an early bath, the debate began in earnest on Twitter and the live internet news feeds – ‘Was it really a red?’, ‘Seems a bit soft’ and ‘He won the ball’. In this current football climate, where every decision by an official is vilified and every penalty, free kick or offside call is hotly contested, we must remind ourselves that the job the men in black do is an extremely tough one and, in cases such as the Man City captain’s, the rulebook must be followed. If a player is deemed to be potentially endangering an opponent then he must be punished.
Yes, City can debate it, heck, they may even get it overturned. But, let’s have no doubts about this – Kompany has only himself to blame. Those who spout diatribe such as ‘Contact sport, man’s game’, let’s take to the local football field down the park and I’ll come towards you with two feet off the floor – it could lead to a painful encounter and, worse, an injury. Thankfully, on this occasion Wilshere was able to continue without any damage but what if there had been contact? For a man only months into his return after a long-term injury lay-off, it would have been heart-breaking for him to have encountered another setback simply due to the recklessness of another player.
Anyway, I must not digress too much – like I said at the foot of the article, Vincent Kompany is an outstanding pro and deserving leader of his team. He speaks well too, as his appearances on Match of the Day have shown. He comes across as a very articulate and likeable chap. But, despite all this, come on, Vincent, you can’t go making challenges like that on the pitch and expect to go unpunished. He’s been in this situation before and on the last occasion, it was again hotly debated.In a third FA Cup tie with deadly rivals Manchester United last season, Kompany went into a challenge with Nani and seemingly won the ball.
Nay matter – he lead with two feet and the red card was duly shown. United went on to take full advantage by knocking City out of the cup at the first hurdle. City up in arms. The point here is that, on both occasions, Kompany unnecessarily went into both challenges with feet off the ground. And if the referee deems that as dangerous play then he’s every right to show the player a straight red. So, no matter how many crowds chant ‘You don’t know what you’re doing’ or ‘The referee’s a w***er’, they should be reminded that in instances such as these ones they’re simply following the rulebook and on both counts above – firstly Chris Foy and then Mike Dean, both made correct calls in sending off the Man City captain.
I’m all for football being physical, don’t get me wrong – the last thing we all want to see is players too afraid to tackle others for fear of incurring a booking or, worse, a red card. But there’s such a thing as a good, clean tackle. Leaving both feet from the ground, with studs showing, is not an orthodox tackling method and, I’ll be honest, it makes me cringe when I see it. Because it can potentially be dangerous and it’s plain daft more than anything – professional footballers should know the consequences if they choose to adhere to this method.
Just to prove a point, I would hope that City’s appeal falls on deaf ears because, more than anything, that would set a precedent. It was a red card and it was the correct decision, let’s move on.
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Whoops!! That’s taken the wind from your sails numbnuts!!!
The red card was over turned 24 hours before you published this article you plum. Do some research. Anyway, it wasn’t a two footed lunge as one of his legs was bent.
What about the poor judgement of Jack Wilshire, whose loose control gave Kompany the Chance to make the challenge?
Utter drivel. If you care to look at the evidence which no doubt the appeals panel will, it is Wilshire who thinks that he is the one being carded by the ref., for HIS lunge! But don’t let the facts interfere with your short lived journey into Fleet Street!
Not only have you not responded but you have removed my comment! If you share your misguided view through your article you should expect to be corrected. Definitely a rag!!!!!!