With over 20 minutes to play and United playing City off the park at Wastelands, we were looking for our second goal to kill the bluenoses off. Robinho was in 18-year-old Rafael Da Silva’s pocket throughout the match, whilst Steven Ireland and Dietmar YSB Hamann no contest for the impressive Michael Carrick and Darren Fletcher.
So when the ball was floated in to the box from the corner spot and Ronaldo found himself a bit of room, you’d be entitled to think this was our chance to double our lead, but for some reason, it all went horribly wrong.
Ronaldo made a pigs ear of his header but rather than play continuing, the referee looked none too pleased. Ronaldo looked puzzled whilst our surrounding players started to look panicked. Was Ronnie getting sent off here?
Replays then showed Ronaldo touching the ball with both hands, pushing it to the ground. It was bizarre. He wasn’t trying to score, that much was obvious, but why hadn’t he just got his head on the ball?
After the game, it was revealed that Ronnie thought he heard a whistle being blown, the actions of which he was miming to Howard Webb.
“He thought he heard the whistle,” said Ferguson. “It’s not as if he’s thrown a hand at the ball to deflect it away or punch it towards goal. If it had been outside the box, the referee would just have given a free-kick, nothing else. The crowd played their part of course and he got sent off. Sometimes you just have to overcome things and we overcame a lot today. Winning with ten men is a difficult task away from home and we did that well today.”
The ref was having none of it though, eager to show him a second yellow card and send Ronaldo off.
You would think that this would be a case where the referee has to use his common sense. Essentially though, Webb was desperate to send off Ronaldo after his sarcastic applause of the decision to book him. Ronaldo had got some of the ball and some of the player when challenging Shaun Wright-Phillips. Now, if every player who tackled Ronaldo from behind, winning the ball but also kicking the player, was dished out a yellow card, then maybe it would have been an easier decision for our winger to take. However, this isn’t the case.
Ronaldo tested Webb’s nerve. Would the referee give a second yellow for dissent, as referee Kim Milton Nielsen did to Rooney in 2005? No, he wouldn’t. But would he pounce on any opportunity to even the score? Certainly, which is exactly what we saw Webb do when Ronaldo handballed. Ludicrous and moronic behaviour from a ref deemed to be one of the best in the country.
Then Alan bitter Shearer gets on MOTD 2, claiming that the red card decision was “a bit harsh” but that the referee was right to do it, following the rules to the letter of the law. Is that so, Mr Shearer?
Law 12 of FIFA’s Laws of the Game 2008/09 says a free-kick or penalty will be awarded if a player ‘handles the ball deliberately (except for the goalkeeper within his own penalty area).’
The much-used term ‘deliberate handball’ is misleading, since to be an offence under the laws of the game a handball must, by definition, be deliberate. A ‘deliberate’ handball is not a booking, then – unless every handball the referee blows up for is a booking.
The guidelines that FIFA publish to accompany the laws state that ‘there are circumstances when a caution for unsporting behaviour is required when a player deliberately handles the ball, e.g. when a player deliberately and blatantly handles the ball to prevent an opponent gaining possession or attempts to score a goal by deliberately handling the ball.’
Ronaldo didn’t handball to deny City gaining possession and he clearly wasn’t trying to score with his hands. I was asking for common sense refereeing but that doesn’t even have to be the case. It’s not common sense we’re looking for here, just a referee that will follow the guidelines laid out by FIFA. Is that too much to ask for?
Man Utd News 24/7
It was hand ball so he did deserve to go off, why he did it we’ll never know because his excuses make no sense anyway. Not to worry though we didnt miss him, we beat the scum 1-0 at the middle eastlands.
MASSIVE!
It was just one of those things. It happened to me once playing footy, though not because of a whistle. I just jumped up to header the ball and ended up hitting it. Can’t explain why.
He will only miss the carling cup
Two sending ofs this season for us both hand balls
stupid ref
stupid ronaldo
= red card
Howard Webb seems to be one of the refs that loves the attention, and revels in the thought that he can stand up against the big names. He could have used common sense as it was obvious that Ronaldo was not trying to gain an advantage, but a somewhat subdued Ronaldo – on a yellow already – shouldn’t really have put his hands up. It wasn’t the worst decision we’ll see this season.
I watched the derby from the stands, for the first time ever on a United ticket, a bit of a change from my first experience (1989, yes THAT game).
And, completely irrelevant, but still: Isn’t it great that city now are owned by someone virtually named The United Group? You couldn’t make it up. City are back! Thankfully.
lets get it rescinded, oh no, he;s not john terry.
i guess he’s just unlucky.. misheard the whistle.we got a couple hundred thousand of referee standing in the stands with whistle an all..its always goin to influence the game..
Since we won, I am happy that he was sent off. There is a piece of me that despises Ronaldo. It sickens me that he is the face of the club, sometimes. He is an arrogant man and he deserves retribution sometimes, deserved or not.
I understand that athletes need to be self-confident in order to be successful. This confidence can sometimes border on conceit, and that’s okay. Whatever you need to do, man. But at no time does that confidence need to spill over into an outward antipathy of everyone around you. Ronaldo’s confidence spills over continuously. His greatness allowed him to develop this chip on his shoulder that makes him almost unbearable to watch. From the constant whining, moaning, swaggering, dancing, one-upsmanship, and general disrespect for teammates, officials and referees, he crosses the line way too often. Thus, for him to get sent off for something silly like double hand-balling it in a match that United wins is fine with me.
He needs to get knocked down a peg or two. Hopefully, between Portugal’s embarrassing loss to Brazil to his ineffectual play today, Ronaldo will get the message that, while he may still believe he is the “first, second and third” best players in the world, things will not always be easy for him. Hopefully, he will learn that struggle is an inevitable part of football. Once he comes to that realization, he will recognize that he has a choice as to how he wants to conduct himself during those tough times: like a petulant child or like an adult. Today, he was a petulant child. The sarcastic applause was reason enough for a second yellow, to me. I’ve seen more for less.
I was watching the game with a Spurs fan who is a lifelong signed up member of the “We Hate Ronaldo” club and he was arguing more vehemently that it Howard Webb shouldn’t have booked him. He even sat there listening over and over to the replay on my sky+ box and there is a whistle just after the horn, and immediately afterwards Ronaldo’s hands come up and he bats the ball down.
But regardless his argument was that he didn’t push it into the net, he didn’t try to gain some advantage with what he was doing, clearly it was a foul, but United didn’t gain any advantage, and what’s even more bizarre is that it was done in a situation that was clearly a free header, so you have to ask why was it done? Mr Webb has applied the letter of the law, and in that case it really is second yellow, however the spirit is there to prevent people committing fouls to give them an advantage, like the “Preventing a goal scoring opportunity” rule. In this particular case it should have been a telling off, with a warning anything else and it’s marching orders, as afterall it was either some weird reflex action, or he genuinely thought play was over, had he batted it into the net and run off to celebrate things would be a little different.
I haven’t forgiven Ronaldo since his behaviour during the Summer. Great player but he isn’t irreplaceable. Howard Webb is the best ref in the league so lets not try and blame him. Ronaldo is a fucking prima donna, let him fuck off to Real Madrid, lets get lots of cash for him and lets get some players in who aren’t total pricks.
Howard Webb was an absolute joke today, he done everything he could to try and lose us the game! Some of the booking’s and free kick decision’s he made were so bad! Baldy Idiot, him and Stephen Ireland!!!
dvd power and patrick you are the pricks
‘happy that he got sent of’
‘Howard Webb best ref in league’ not on todays evidence he wasn’t. and i am not talking about ronaldo’s sending of either.
WTF. Happy that a player on your own team got sent of. Yeah great support.
as for the first, second, third best player thing, suprise suprise he has denied it in a portugese article today saying he didn’t actually say that. but feel free to keep following the rags.
If Ronaldo’s handball had been his first booking we wouldn’t even be discussing it. Obviously it was an honest mistake by Ronaldo but he gave the ref no choice. I don’t think Howard Webb actually made a wrong decision in the entire game. Anyway we won and completely outplayed City, that’s all that matters.
Oh, I’m sorry. I forgot that you have to be a complete sycophant to be considered a supporter. Glory Glory, United is without flaw. It is possible, believe it or not, to support the club while wishing that Ronaldo would behave with dignity and respect. I prefaced the whole thing by saying that I was happy since we won. I wasn’t happy at the time, but since his sending off had no real impact on the result, I was content to see him get humbled.
And just because he denied a quote doesn’t mean he didn’t say it. There is nothing about that quote that seems out of character. Even if he didn’t say it, he behaves as if he did. I desperately want to love the guy, and on some days I do. But I want my favorite players to at least show some small modicum of modesty, display respect for officials, not belabor every single call, and not show open disdain for his teammates when they fall short. If that makes me a poor supporter, so be it. At least I can’t be considered a non-thinking, yes-man bowing at the alter of United. I love the club, but I can still see their flaws.
Well said dvdpower, Howard Webb is by far the best ref in the league and is one of the few who clearly doesn’t crave attention and is well-respected by the players and managers. However, he had his worst game I’ve ever seen him have today, it seems that the yellow card has become the obligatory penalty for a mis-timed tackle or silly handball rather than the serious warning it should be for a cynical tackle i.e. Carrick’s on Wright-Phillips which was given or for serious foul play in order to gain an advantage. I think refs all need to take a step back in the premiership and review how they give yellow cards out because Ronaldo’s first one is ridiculous and Rafael’s isn’t much better, it has lost its meaning as a serious warning and seems to be a knee-jerk reaction for a ref trying to stamp his authority on the game and when even our best ref Webb is doing it the FA need to take another look. As for all the excuses about Ronaldo handballing it, it looks to me like it’s going to hit him on the chest and he thinks, ‘shit, I can’t head it’ and does something you’d maybe do on the training ground without thinking.
Chris, Webb had a choice
From the FIFA Rules
Law 12 says a free-kick or penalty will be awarded if a player “handles the ball deliberately (except for the goalkeeper within his own penalty area)”.
Page 67-”Referees are reminded that deliberately handling the ball is normally punished only by a direct free-kick or penalty kick if the offence occurred inside the penalty area.
“A caution or dismissal is not normally required.”
He had a choice and the earlier challenge on SWP was not a booking either IMO
Patrick thats still bizarre to me.
We had to play with ten men and our other players had to do extra work as well as Ronaldo getting a one match suspension and you are happy?
that makes you a flawed supporter because instead of critising a player and leaving it at that, you are wishing bad on that player at the detriment of the team.
Oh and Ronaldo had one of his best games today…purely because he was drawing two/three men to him and feeding carrick in the middle or evra down the wing in the space…For once, he didn’t try to take the numbers on himself and used it to our advantage which was a welcome change and made me think he might be starting to turn a corner and play for the team a bit more. Long may it continue, we are about to create the new double-double
Howard Webb best ref in EPL. you are having a laugh. 1st game I saw him was when we played Newcastle away at the start of the season a few years ago. Giggs was clean through and I think it was Stephen Carr pulled him down. The prick Webb waved play on, it was one of those decesions were people couldn’t explain why it wasn’t a sending off, apart from the fact oit was on a United player. SAF went blastic and Jeff Winter got it both barrels. SAf suspended. Since then I’ve watched webb and he has a bias against United. How many fouls did Steven Ireland commit? and not given a 2nd yellow card?. Ronnie’s 1st booking was his 1st foul of the day and he got the ball before shit-philips
A bit of todays action that I loved was when Micah Richards Hit VIDIC in the chest with his studs. Realised what he’d done and rolled about holding his head to stop it being riped off and stuffed up his Blue ass.
So sweet this year was the right result.
On a different note, anyone else concerned that Tevez didn’t even make it off the bench? And he only got 5 mins in midweek…
ronaldo got sent off simply because he made the decision for the ref long before that. he sarcastically applauded the ref for his first booking and webb was itching to give him another. fif rules mention that the ref has a choice and it is up to his discretion, so we all know what he decided to do. everyone knew it was coming, from the players, the fans, the commentators, everyone – so what makes the ref any different? no one likes to be told how to do there job, especially since before the first booking, ronaldo was pretty well protected by howard webb (better than most other BPL refs). in fact, i would dare say that was the only incident that webb succumbed to the city fans howls for a sending off!
in any case, ronaldo is going through a period of time that he needs to work out for himself regarding his behaviour and success – wish him all the best, all great players suffer this, with the exposure, abuse, adoration, praises, set backs, injuries – it’s how responds that will benefit himself and the team. should see how giggsy does it! i remember when giggsy was goig through a little of this, with abuse of gf, breakup, even being in the outs with the other guys in the team over mutual girl etc.
but i dont think fergie will continue to indulge ronaldo without upsetting the team balance – he knows what he’s doing, so lets just enjoy the win over citeh! and let fergie sort it out in the locker room!!
so far one of our better games – we were hungrier, grittier and played sooooo much better!
I think we are going to have to let Tevez go, £32 million to be on the bench, bring back Campbell and start giving Wellbeck/Manucho and maybe a new young signing a chance next year. Tevez is too old and established to hack sitting on the bench although one injury and he’s starting again…there should always be a transition period where either you have older or young strikers backing up you’re front two but to have 3 in their prime probably isn’t goin to work
Jake is right – the writing is clearly on the wall about Tevez.
When Ronaldo got his red card, the need to defend-from-the-front was apparent and last year it was Tevez/Park who did that brilliantly against Barcelona BUT today he was stuck to the bench. And, to add insult to injury, Giggs was brought on to replace Berbatov. Go figure.
Ronaldo should have had a second yellow=red for his foolish clapping-the-ref. Whatever happened, this was clearly payback for Webb who was no doubt looking for a “reason”. The legality/illegality of Ronaldo’s “hand ball” is clearly beside the point.
Another point, also made by Jake, regarding Ronaldo’s willingness to pass out of the double-team freeing Evra and Carrick. If the opposition are going to double-team Ronaldo then he needs to do just that.
Rio and Vidic had nothing to do. Carrick was good today; same with Fletcherinho. I was actually most impressed with Park and young Raphael (another idiotic yellow-card decision by Webb !). One would have imagined that after the Ronaldo red card that SAF would have taken Raphael off and given Johnny O’Shea the defensive responsibility but, clearly, Raphael’s defensive game is improving by leaps-and-bounds.
Sorry Jake, but I thought Ronaldo was terrible today way before he got sent off. I guess you’re right that he was passing out of the double team, but to me it just looked like he wasnt up for trying all that hard. In all seriousness, I didn’t see him break out of a jog more than the rare occasion. I remember one time specifically in the second half when we attempted to hit them on the break, I think Berba started it off and played it to Wayne who in turn tried to feed Park on the right side, who was breaking his neck to be up there for the pass. Of course, Park’s shot was blocked by Dunne but that wasn’t what bothered me. On the replay you could see that Rooney had no choice but to play it into Park because on his left, Ronaldo wasn’t sprinting. He wasn’t even coming close. He just stayed at his same half jog half run pace as the break went past him.
I dont know…that angered me. In games gone by he would have been hauling ass to get in a scoring position and would have probably screamed at Wayne if he played in park instead of him. But today, he couldn’t be bothered.
And yeah I didn’t understand that substitution at all….Berba looked completely out of gas in about the 60th minute…but he stayed on until the 80th. And, after the sending off, it was screaming out for some more effort and work defending from the front, which is exactly what Tevez offers. But still, he was left on the bench. And what does this say to Anderson and Nani, that they can’t get off the bench in supposedly big matches like this? This is very concerning for me, these young lads needs confidence to perform at their best and it would be impossible for them to get it if they aren’t given chances. I also would have taken off Fletch in about the 75th for Anderson, not because he was playing badly but just because he was on a yellow and we couldn’t afford to have another player sent off.
I guess i shouldn’t complain though…afterall its the 3 points that matter sometimes.
I no certain united fans are still pissed off with ronaldo, but i love the guy, his goals over the last 2 years have won us trophys, its great to watch him play, and best of all bitters and dippers hate him. personally i don’t think calderon woz the main cause of the summers problems i believe it woz his m8 pepe tapping him up, i no as a kid he dreamed of madrid, but he aint a kid no more he could go on to achieve great things with united. madrid are struggling again this season. long may ronaldo delight the old trafford croud’s again
VIVA RONALDO
A wicked and childish decision made by the ref!!! He seeks for revenge because of Ronaldo’s sarcastic applause after he got booked. He just wait for the opportunity to send Ronaldo off the pitch.
He’s not even worth to be called the “Best Referee” if he has that kinda intention in mind because he took matters personally. He’s rubbish!!!
He might want to block the ball from hitting his face and this happens to me before while playing for my local club while i was rising up in the air my hands struck the ball rather than my head…its sometimes an instict thing that comes so quick you cant do anything about it
As stated, every handball isn’t a freekick and certainly not a yellow card…so Webb obviously had a choice. Just ask Clichy after he kinda did the same thing in his own penalty area and nothing was given. Obviously he was cheesed off at the sarcastic clapping and was looking for a reason to send him off. Basically the FA cannot overturn two yellows, we can ‘t appeal and Webb can’t get into trouble for handing out two yellows (as opposed to a straight red)
More interestingly is; why do it in the first place? There was no possible advantage to be gained…he’s never going to get away with it…and he had a clear header. I can only assume that his story was correct because nothing else makes sense.
Lastly…Raphael should be the first choice right back from now on. He looks better than Evra did when he started. Can you imagine the two of them bombing forward down the wings with Ronaldo, Rooney and Berbatov up front…Crikey!!!
the ref is looking at every oppuntunities to sent him off. trust me ronaldo’s will get his appeal rejected if he do appeal. Corrupted FA AND REF. Howard webb( who loves arsenal) stop being a coward and admit your mistake. Referees this days loves to steal headlines and played a big part in the game. Mike riley Is a big joke too, not booking ashley cole for abusing him while booking ronaldo for wagging his finger. WHAT A JOKE. This refs need to step up and go admit their mistake . Learn from Graham Poll , he Apologise after the world cup 3 yellows. U want RESPECT? RESPECT US FIRST BY GIVING FAIR DECISONS, AND APOLOGISE AFTER MAKING MISTAKE. Bloody shit FA TOO. Rio getting 7 months suspension for forgetting to go drug test. another player got ban for few matches for making the same mistake as rio. Andrain mutu WHO TOOK DRUGS gets lesser ban than forgetting drug test . WHAT A JOKE. John terry got Appeal success for rugby tackle, Tim cahill got appeal rejected.
WHAT A JOKE. SIR Alex got banned for matches from the touchline, ANd let david moyes get away with $5000 fine. Arsense wenger GOt nothing for abusing referees almost every game. WHERE ARE THE Consistency?
It all started with a weak yellow awarded to young Rafael, the benchmark set Webb was on a downward self imposed spiral. CR7 did get the ball only just, but the clapping bit irked the man in black, that +the bitters baying ensured the red card .
Four of the yellows were for fouls on SWP, i dont think Webb will believe it was his best day if he bothers to look at replays.
If webb did his job properly then the goofy cunt would have been off for clapping after the first yellow so stop bleating on about the handball, hes an arrogant cheat and got what he deserved.
divedivedive i guess u jealous of him? can a cheat score 42 goals per season. Stupid twat like u are damn dumb. Winning titles and awards= arrogant? Get better excuse to scold us. sick and tired of people using arrogant. U can never be like him. Take a look at yourself before u say people.
GESTIFUTE published a statement concerning handball incident.
http://www.gestifute.com/gestifute/index.php?lg=1
Cristiano Ronaldo was incredulous when he saw the referee Howard Webb showing him the second yellow card and subsequent red card on the 68th minute of the game with the City. The Portuguese was deployed in explanations in the court’s departure, claiming think that the game had been interrupted, but nothing worthed. The truth is that Cristiano Ronaldo even heard a whistle and according to that, quite simply, gave up to head the ball. “Rooney hit the corner, I jumped and that was when I heard was a scream from Richards [City's defense] and at the same time the sound of a whistle,” said Cristiano Ronaldo to Gestifute Media. “At that moment I was convinced that the referee had signaled the foult, so I quit to head the ball and, possibly of scoring a goal, and grabbed the ball, so as to allow Richards to be assisted.”
That gesture was the most innocent possible and with the best of intentions, because the Portuguese international was fully convinced that the game was interrumpted, but that gesture only had consequences “I never thought that the referee would show me the yellow card because, for me, I had done nothing wrong, quite the contrary: after the scream of Richards I thought he was hurt and needing to be assisted, “says the best player in the world. “That I heard a whistle I heard, so I took the initiative to stop the move,” he adds. Only then Cristiano Ronaldo realized what had happened. “I saw that the referee wanted to talk to me, but then, perhaps influenced by the fans, eventually lead to hand the pocket and expellled me. I tried to explain to him what had happened, but at the time he didn’t even wanted to hear me. ” Cristiano Ronaldo ended up expelled at 22 minutes from the end, will miss the game in the Carling Cup this Wednesday (quarter-finals, with the Blackburn Rovers), and his only joy was “a good game of United and important victory” achieved in ground of the City. “We hold the result even with ten units and it was undoubtedly important.”
The eyes of the world are in this number seven, who collects victories in every year but at the same time, is a target of more criticism and different ideas and the most absurd reasons. Cristiano Ronaldo warrant was “increasingly focused”, while recognizing that people are also more focused on it. “I realized that every move you make, inside or outside of the field, is analyzed under the microscope, if I don’t celebrate goals is because I’m sad , if it is because I talk with the public is because I lost the humility, one of mine minor gestures is always a reason for all kinds of criticism, “Facing, while guaranteeing to remain exactly the same Cristiano Ronaldo ever,” the Cristiano Ronaldo humble, respectful, hardworking, ambitious and perfectionist “who always has been. “Don’t believe that my way of being in life and in football has changed,” says. “People that are always waiting for me to do anything, and those are the things absolutely normal and without importance, to criticize. They analyze under the microscope for unusual things that have nothing, “he adds, ensuring that never ceased to be the same. ” Cristiano Ronaldo remains exactly the same as it always was, regardless of what is happening inside and outside the pitch. But as my friends say, the people who know me well, they only criticize the good ones, so what can I say more? Only that I am arrested for having a dog and arrested for not having one. ”
The power of your media is such that only very recently Cristiano Ronaldo got aware of the proportion of his statements, (one of those he didn’t even say it), he had in the world of football. “I am the first, second and third best in the world” is a phrase that never left the mouth of what in reality is the best player on the planet. “I did not say that, I simply did not made that statement,” warrants with conviction, considering it is a speculation “unfair and absurd”, which only failed to win an immediate denial by now have had only notion of what really happened. “I begin to tire to unlie statements,” argues in its favor. “Anyone who knows me, knows I would never be able to do that kind of statement, but, unfortunately, today people write what they want and what they want without thinking of the consequences.” The purest of truths is that Cristiano Ronaldo saw, once again, his name shrouded in controversy for something that did not and would never do that because that is not the way it is in football. “It would not be right for my companions of profession nor would respect them, in addition of not being that what I think,” guaranteed. “What I really think – and those who live close to me know it without needing to confirm it – is that the other nominees to the prize for best player in the world are able to win. Those who depriving me know that the collective trophies are far more important than the individual premiums. Of course I am not wrong and I have to admit that the individual titles fill me with pride. I’m not hypocritical in the face of everything we did last season, I am very well placed to win the prize , but I never said that I am the first, second and third best in the world fora question of respect to the remaining candidates and because I believe that all have potential to win it. ”
Working quietly, always with the same spirit of conquest and the ambition that characterized, that’s all I want for a season that for him, started later, according to the surgery that was submitted. But not even this prevents Cristiano Ronaldo to fight hard to make this a season as good or better than before. “I am well,” he claims. “I’ve done some important goals, I have evolved and honestly believe I can do a season similar to the previous or even better. I am the same player, work hard, play the same way and will make many, many goals, “promises. This is the real Cristiano Ronaldo.
Its fair enough people saying “To the letter of the law” But when Di Canio caught that ball when the Keeper was down injured at Everton and got praised for it, should he have not also been booked??? So to the letter of the law yes maybe he should have gone, but using common sense absoloutly no advantage was made from it in the slightest, as Ruud Gullit said on sky afterwards what would have been give if he had caught the ball?
Any reason John Terry wasn’t sent off for his two footed challenge on Sagna yesterday?
Did the pundits make any form of fuss over that? Probably not, typical.
re Drew Vader
You clearly forgot what Ronaldo was booked for then the first time. Fairly tackling SWP by TRACKING BACK. Though, even if it was a foul, you get one or two warnings before you get booked. Ronaldo did not. Another example of Webb’s incompetence
RE Stephen. Terry wasn’t booked because he is the media’s darling just like St Gerrard and the ref was afraid of the medias reaction
Spencer, sopt on mate and it is disgraceful, Ronnie committed one foul which wasn’t even that and one handball and was sent off, fuck me its a derby, and Terry could have broken someones leg and recieves a yellow, and people say he won the ball?
Ronnie was sent off against Shitty couple of seasons back for tackling thin air! Give me strength.
I take it he is suspended for the Blackburn game?
It’s pretty easy to hear the long drawn out whistle after the foghorn sound as the corner was taken. How the TV pundits didn’t hear it after a few listens really confuses me!
The first yellow, was one of them that could hav gone either way. The appluading from Ronny after was silly though and Webb had a look of ‘I am going to get you for that’ in his eyes as soon as he did it.
As for the handball, Ronny should have headed the ball to try and score, whistle or no whistle, try to score first and ask questions after. If that was the Champions League final and he handled it in the same manner then we’d all be disappointed.
He wasn’t seeking advantage with using his hands and I think he is being honest as to why he used them, but using them in the first place is my problem.
He should have been sent of earlier for clapping at the Ref. that was just stupid and i really hope he learns from it. being amongst the best players doesnt give you leeway to be a twat
how about alumnia, why wasnt he booked when he caught the ball after silvestres back pass ( not that it wouldve mattered but he shoud have got a yellow card)
“Ronaldo had got some of the ball and some of the player when challenging Shaun Wright-Phillips. Now, if every player who tackled Ronaldo from behind, winning the ball but also kicking the player, was dished out a yellow card, then maybe it would have been an easier decision for our winger to take.” Amen to that lol well said
Harry
great point about richards, isnt that amazing richards has his studds flying into vidic’s chest no card and then he is rolling around like a girl to avoid getting send off, ronaldo who in may 2007 in the manchester derby as some thug stamp’s on his chest nothing is done, yet ronnie gets two bookings one where he cleanly nicks the ball wright phillips falls to the ground and the other one he thought a wistle had blown so he hand balls it strange. what is worse richards shocking challenge on vida or ronnie’s hand ball.
After all the kerfuffle, the picture tells Ronaldo’s part of the story – the ball was perfectly placed for him to head it. Why didn’t he ? There are two reasons given: first, Ronaldo claims he heard a whistle; and, second, Ronaldo was seeking some sort of advantage. The first explanation seems weak but the second is absurd – this is a guy who just loves to score so why would he spurn what looks like a golden opportunity ? Therefore, no matter how weak Ronaldo’s “whistle” excuse is, it seems perfectly substantiated by the photographic evidence. The rest is non-sense.
No matter what circumstances around was it deliberate or not, or in what sense is ‘deliberate’ Ronny was always getting sent off. The moment he sarcastically applauded the refs previous and dubious decision of his first yellow card the writing was on the wall. We all saw the time taken to make the decision the facts were blisteringly obvious; He did handle it; He did not gain any advantage by handling it (it went straight to the floor as it was directed); he was in a perfect position to score; his heading ability is one of the finest in the game. All thoughts that would lead to the rational decision of awarding a free kick for Ronaldo’s misdemeanour. Mr Shearer may I remind you of a certain incident that you seem to have forgotten in your comments regarding implementing the rules of the game. I cannot remember the team, im sure someone will help me with it, but a few years ago an inswinging corner was directed at Paulo Di Canio, upon seeing the keeper was injured he jumped higher than everything else caught the ball and stopped the play. It was something he was strongly and rightly applauded for by critics and fans alike, but if we apply the letter of the law as Shearer stated on Match of the Day then no matter whether Di Canio did the right or wrong thing, he should have recieved a yellow card. That for me highlights the farcical nature of it all.
Webbs mind must have been going through the motions but Im sure the sticking point would have been Ronaldo and his previous petulance. Its not something I condone but he is just a man and his frustrations are understandable.
At least we stuck it up the blue half showing last season was merely fluke, the fact our so called talisman was removed, yet we still controlled the game makes it all the more sweeter.
Jake Said, @1:43: I totally agree. Even though not an blazing performance, he did things the easy way.
Ronaldo was headless during the summer, and he has recived lots of critism because of that, much from our own fans. Ronaldo is one of those players whose chants have an recipocating effect, it builds his self-confidence, and he plays better. Even though his apperance is apparently “too self-confident”, this behaviour is normal when people LACKS self-confidence. My personal opinion is that “Viva Ronaldo” is less heard from the terraces nowdays has hurt his self-confidence, because he dosen’t feel loved by his own fans anymore.
He has understood that his bevhaviour during the saga was unacceptable – just by the lack of Viva Ronaldo. Because we’ve turned our back at him, it gives even more fuel on the fire for the of the country to hate, boo and taut him aswell — even more so this than the previous season.
We’ve let him know our feelings towards the saga, and we should start accepting his apologies – and move on! There are certain things we do not accept from our players, but we sure do forgive them over time. He should know that at least he got support of United-fans, which I’m sure would raise his performance levels even more so.
Viva Ronaldo!
what about horse face who I can’t stand yet united fan’s still love him even though he twice asked to leave the club and his attitude towards united since joining the scum madrid is like shit in his shoe, ronnie never once put in a transfer request who ronaldo as done more for united then van nistlerooy ever did.
Never a yellow, look at the picture, the ball is nicely in the air and with his ability it’s 2-0, close sound inspection showed there was a whistle and a horn played at the same time and so clearly Ronaldo heard that, idiotic refereeing, should be ashamed of himself, Ronaldo has learnt his lesson though and next time i’m sure he’ll plant it in the net.
Lets face it, Ronaldo aint the player he was last year. Still feel his head wants Spain and it is influencing his whole playing attitude. He seems not to care a lot of the time spending a lot of time on his arse waving his fucking arms to all and sundry saying that he feels he was fouled/tripped etc etc.
And yes before I get slagged off, I know he gets targeted for rough treatment but he should be able to raise his game above it
Facts..
Webbs a twat…for crying out loud…rafaeal gets the ball off robinho..foul given…rafael picks the ball up..scoops it in air as it lands exactly where the free kick should e taken. Yet gets a yellow…for what kicking the ball fifty metres or throwing it away???
Ronaldo tackles SWP…and gets the ball….if he hadnt have got the ball the ball would have gone straight on….NOT at a 90 degree angle out for a throw, the angle of the ball is exactly the angle ronaldo tackles from.
2nd Yellow…yes people say he shouldnt have or was naive blah blah blah. But why would a guy whose sooooooo selfish at goalscoring or is awesome in the air…who leaped so brilliantly handle the ball??? Clearly the muppets on sky and beeb couldnt hear it…but clearly there is a horn that ends with a deafening whistle sound exactly at the point of the handball. Secondly did he deliberately do it..or was trying to gain or con an advantage = NO.
So WEBB was a fuckin twat to send him off. And the only reason he did was of the clap by ron. Why does this fucker have to ref all our big games???
Anyway win it was..and ron will only miss the league cup game…which he wouldnt have played in anyway
What really got my attention was the fact that Ronaldo TRACKED BACK and tackled SWP. I’ve been occasionally surprised by his teamwork rate this season, that’s probably unheard of last season…So maybe new dimensions to his game now, a less selfish Ronaldo perhaps? The mind boggles. Not that I’m saying he’s like Rooney now though, just that with Ronaldo selflessness is pleasantly surprising.
So lads, do we prefer a selfish / self-obsessed 42-goal Ronaldo or a team-player, play-his-heart-out Ronaldo (does this ceatire even exist)? Not sure we can have both criteria though.
Perhaps I am not making any sense lol.