Arsenal vs Manchester City [Premier League]

[RiggsYid]

My Sig is so apt!!

[mosstopher]

Just had a read through of this thread, more United fans than City or Arsenal!

We more than deserved the win. Disappointingly negative tactics from Mancini, City were setup to stop us scoring rather than score themselves and one effort aside I can't really remember them troubling our keeper.

I was surprised Balotelli came out for the second half, he could have been sent off three times in the first half and from the first kick you could see he was riled up and going to see red. I'm just glad his disgusting tackle on Song didn't result in an injury. Him and Tevez (and a fair few others on the team) tell you everything you need to know about "new City." lot of talent, no class.

All in all, a good days football, though it does grate a little that United will now win the title yet again. I grudgingly congratulate them and hope the days when our games are title deciders come back soon.

One more thing:

Must say, I love the way Arsenal are taking the piss out of City with their mimicking of the City fans dance. Their will be a gif out for that in no time I'm sure.

Like this

[Tony07]

Man City's Mario Balotelli avoids ban for Alex Song tackle


Despite a clear studs-up challenge on Arsenal's Alex Song on Sunday, Manchester City's fiery striker Mario Balotelli will face no retrospective action from the English FA.

The 21-year-old, who was later sent off after receiving two yellow cards during the 1-0 defeat, was potentially facing a nine-match ban today, with a further six games due to the reckless Song challenge expected to be added to his existing three-game ban.

However, the FA have said that since referee Martin Atkinson saw the shin-high challenge - at least partially - and took no action, they are unable to decide on a retrospective ban.

"Retrospective action in relation to the incident involving Mario Balotelli of Manchester City and Alex Song of Arsenal, which occurred in the 20th minute of Sunday's game, will not be taken," the FA said in a statement released this afternoon.

What a first class wanker that Martin Atkinson is that could have put Song out for the rest of the season.

[tottenham28]

Man City's Mario Balotelli avoids ban for Alex Song tackle


Despite a clear studs-up challenge on Arsenal's Alex Song on Sunday, Manchester City's fiery striker Mario Balotelli will face no retrospective action from the English FA.

The 21-year-old, who was later sent off after receiving two yellow cards during the 1-0 defeat, was potentially facing a nine-match ban today, with a further six games due to the reckless Song challenge expected to be added to his existing three-game ban.

However, the FA have said that since referee Martin Atkinson saw the shin-high challenge - at least partially - and took no action, they are unable to decide on a retrospective ban.

"Retrospective action in relation to the incident involving Mario Balotelli of Manchester City and Alex Song of Arsenal, which occurred in the 20th minute of Sunday's game, will not be taken," the FA said in a statement released this afternoon.

What a first class wanker that Martin Atkinson is that could have put Song out for the rest of the season.

What a wanker he is Tony, if he only saw it partially, he should have mentioned not enough to make a decision. This leaves the F.A open big time now.
All it takes is some more disgraceful refereeing and they can fix it by saying "we only partially saw it". The faith in referees has been falling for a very long time, now its almost completely gone...twats!!!

[Tony07]

What a wanker he is Tony, if he only saw it partially, he should have mentioned not enough to make a decision. This leaves the F.A open big time now.
All it takes is some more disgraceful refereeing and they can fix it by saying "we only partially saw it". The faith in referees has been falling for a very long time, now its almost completely gone...twats!!!

I agree, they should be trying to stamp out this sort of idiotic tackle( no pun intended ) not indorse it by not having the balls to say they were wrong.

[mosstopher]

The problem isn't just the refs (though the standard of reffing in England has been shocking lately) it's that the FA allow them to get away with it yet punish those who have the temerity to "bring the game into disrepute" (something which the governing bodies are so, so very good at doing) when they speak out about it.

I accept that, during a game, the refs word should be final and I also accept that Referees are human and can and will make mistakes, hell even with the benefit of superslowed down replays some decisions are argued back and forth for ages after games. I will not, however, accept the FA's cop-out lies when pointing to (seemingly inexistent) FIFA regulations stopping them taking retrospective action (funny how the same excuse crops up when questioned about video tech isn't it?) Bunch of clueless, cowardly wankers the lot of them.

Something is fundamentally wrong in a system which says "Player A wrongly sent off due to a dive? Who cares, the ref saw it, uphold the ban! Player B puts in a horrible, dangerous challenge? Who cares, the ref saw it, uphold the refs decision. Want to appeal either of these decisions or give an opinion on either? Who cares, have a fine and a ban!"

[Tony07]

The FA are just a gutless bunch of cu*ts they are a fooking joke, what message does this send out???Its ok to try and end somebody's career, they have no balls.

[colognejohn33]

Apparently just following FIFA`s rules. That says it all.

[Tony07]

Fifa has told the Football Association it can change its rules on retrospective punishment to avoid situations like the one involving Mario Balotelli at Arsenal. The City striker escaped further sanction for his tackle on Arsenal's Alex Song because referee Martin Atkinson - who did not punish the Italian at the time - said in his report he had seen the incident.

Bit bloody late now, but will those gutlass bastards at the FA (Fooking Appalling) do anything???