Pepe Reyna's reaction to being tripped by a Newcastle player got him sent off, even though there was little or no contact with the Newcastle player's face.
Reyna unwisely made a headbutting gesture at the player, but Law 11 states clearly that the offence for violent conduct is for "strikes or attempts to strike" another player. The blow does not have to land.
Martin Atkinson probably saw Reyna's gesture, but the histrionics of the Newcastle player were a deliberate attempt to convince the referee to send Reyna off. But Reyna had done Atkinson's work for him already.
This in a game in which Andy Carroll had already been booked for an astonishingly obvious dive in the penalty area against his old team.
What a bunch!
1 comment:
Law 12* doesn't mention say strike or attempt to strike is violent conduct per se.
Just usual criteria of Careless, reckless or using excessive force: Ergo an attempt to strike must use excessive force to be violent conduct.
Post a Comment