september 24th
09.01 – He’s at it again. James Lawton reports that the FA were desperately unhappy at not being able to charge Robert Pires with ‘bringing the game into disrepute’ for his ‘dive’ against Portsmouth the other week.
It seems the FA were hampered by their own rules. The referee had seen and dealt with the incident, therefore video evidence couldn’t be used. I find this kind of surprising, as simple things like the rules have never stopped the FA before. Dennis Bergkamp was cited for a ‘stamp’ on a Blackburn player ast season despite the refereee quite clearly seeing the incident and awarding a free kick to Blackburn.
Still, after consulting with lawyers (allegedly, this could be another one of Lawton’s un-named and most likely made up sources), it was decided that they couldn’t punish Pires. This whole thing is ludicrous now. It’s a witch hunt and Lawton is doing his utmost to ensure Salem style justice for Arsenal and our players. That he can’t let the Pires thing lie, despite the fact that countless other players are guilty of deceptions just as bad, if not worse, clearly shows Lawton has an axe to grind with Arsenal, despite the sports editor of the Independent’s stock reply to the Arsenal fans who wrote to complain. If the FA are going to charge every player with disrepute for making the most of a challenge, they’re going to be very busy.
One of the first things they teach you in journalism school is that you should report the facts, and report them in an unbiased, impartial fashion. You shouldn’t be seen to be for or against a particular person, entity, company etc, no matter what the circumstances.
Given that, it’s very difficult to describe Lawton as a journalist. He’s an opinionist, a ‘sports writer’, a columnist preaching to readers who have a right to expect more, blinded by his dislike of Arsenal football club. He’s like a celebrity writing an opinion column for the tabloids. He’s the Ulrika Jonsson of the sports pages. I can spend as much time talking about Arsenal as I want. This is my site, I’m an Arsenal fan, and I’ll be the first to admit that what I write is biased and I make no apologies for that. What excuse does a national newspaper have to allow such bilious tripe on its pages, day after day after day?
As it stands, Arsenal could be without the entire back 4 for some games, with Lehmann, Keown, Lauren and Ashley Cole all facing charges, with Sol Campbell awaiting the FA’s verdict for his flick at Eric DumbanDumba during the Community Shield in August. I have confidence in Kolo though, he can play all 4 positions, keep goal and do it with a smile.
Paddy Crerand says he’d have ‘lumped’ Martin Keown. Yeah, right. Nice gag from Arsenal Shorts.
Away from the furore of Sunday comes the news that Arsene Wenger is tempted to give Jeremie Aliadiere a chance in the first team. He’s moved up the pecking order now what Francis Jeffers has been shipped out and the young French striker has impressed the Arsenal boss. “Aliadiere is tempting. Since he has come back in August, he has got close to the level where we want him to be. I think he has a big chance now.” We could see him on Friday against Newcastle.
Tony Adams is in line to take over at Reading, according to The Sun.
Right, it’s a day off special for me today. Of couse that just means I get to do nothing all day at home, instead of at work, but still…
