august 20th
07.34 – It’s no big surprise I suppose, but Sol Campbell has been charged by the FA with ‘violent conduct’ following his little flick at the arse of Eric Danger-Danger during the Charity Community Shield.
I said on here after the game that Sol was a bit silly to kick out like that, but when you look at the picture to your left, it’s understandable when someone tries to circumcise you with their football boots.
Now, because the referee saw the initial challenge, which Arsene Wenger labelled as ‘obscene‘, but didn’t see the Campbell flick, it was referred to the video advisory panel, who in their wisdom have decided Sol faces a charge of ‘violent conduct’. Which to me seems a bit ironic. If I was shown both kicks seperate of each other and was asked to decide which one was violent, it wouldn’t be Campbell’s. Even though I’m obviously biased, I challenge any Manchester United fan to say Sol’s petulant little kick was worse than Djemba-Djemba’s initial challenge.
Image from The Sun.
Now, the ref saw the United player go studs high into Campbell’s groin. He didn’t do anything about it at the time, as is his perogative I suppose. It was a United player after all. But if Djemba-Djemba can get away with that without even a card, it doesn’t seem right that Sol faces a 3 match ban.
Arsenal Football Club are most unhappy about this it seems, and have said they will ‘staunchly defend’ Campbell. In a statement they say “Needless to say the Club finds this charge difficult to accept especially in light of the initial challenge made on Sol by Eric Djemba-Djemba.”
No arguments from me that Sol shouldn’t have reacted, but I understand the reaction. I don’t understand how what Sol did can be considered violent conduct though. Stephen Gerrard’s tackle last season was violent conduct, Graeme le Saux punching Robbie Fowler in the back of the head is violent conduct, Dion Dublin headbutting Robbie Savage is top class violent conduct, but Sol’s little back heel to the arse of that arse is not.
Former Arsenal captain Frank McLintock said “Instead of punishing Campbell for his reaction the FA should be looking at Djemba-Djemba’s high challenge. At the very worst, Campbell deserved a yellow card for his reaction. If he gets a ban of any kind for this he can count himself very hard-done-by.”
I hope they see common sense and just fine him. Anything else would be an injustice, even by FA standards.
It seems Arsenal have signed a young Spanish player right from under the noses of the once mighty Barcelona. Cesc Fabregas is a midfielder and has signed a 6 year deal with the Gunners, according to reports. Nothing on the official site though. Barcelona are said to be furious, but this is Wenger’s revenge after they scuppered a deal a few seasons ago for talented left-winger Nano. I didn’t see anything about this in the Spanish press, but I’ll check out one of the Barca friendly sports dailys tomorrow to see if they’re running the story.
Jermaine Pennant shows the Arsenal academy is truly paying dividends by getting sent off in England U21s 3-0 defeat to Croatia last night. The watching Arsene Wenger can’t but have been impressed as Pennant slapped an opponent in the head. Having shown his stuff, I expect him stay at Arsenal and start against Boro on Sunday.
Ok, have to go bore myself to sleep in work. Laters.
