|
It is back to the launch for this week’s winner the Football Association’s David Davies. It is always quite amazing that someone who was nothing more than a third rate news reader on BBC North West could find himself in such a prominent position in English football and there is no doubt that he often finds himself completely out of his depth.
It had been planned that the England team would launch the week and the players would wear ‘Kick it Out’ t-shirts during the warm up. Sadly, incredibly and disgracefully they didn’t and Davies dared to say it was short notice.
It had been known for weeks that it was going to happen and only days before Davies had condemned supporters in Bratislava for the racial abuse aimed at Ashley Cole and Emile Heskey he was unable or incapable of organising something as simple as t-shirts.
Sadly his excuse of short notice was exposed when it became clear that days before he had confirmed that England would wear them. Davies needs to be made aware that there is a problem in this country, the problems are not just in Bratislava. He let us all down very badly indeed.
|
Referee Phil Prosser has complained that he himself, and Sheffield United’s Peter Ndlovu were both racially abused by the Brighton supporters. Prosser can only be applauded for bringing this out into the open.
However the Brighton club do not think so and their chairman Dick Knight has said, "We are concerned that contrary to accepted procedure, the referee has seen fit to publicise accusations in his match report prior to their full consideration by the FA."
Sorry Mr. Knight but the referee is absolutely right to publicise it, these incidents need to be brought out into the open.
Having said that he has said that the allegations are being taken very serious and a full investigation is taking place at Brighton. "We will not tolerate racism at this club and will ban any culprits without hesitation". said Knight.
There did not appear to be too much effort by the Brighton club though to promote Anti Racism week.
|
He did last Monday though in the Aston Villa v Southampton game when he sent off Villa goalkeeper Peter Enckelman. It is only recently that Enckelman was the centre of attention in a televised match for a bizarre own goal, did he really touch it Mr. Elleray, but this time he was clearly wrongly sent off.
To be fair from the angle Bennett saw the incident it was fair to say that it did look as though it was the keeper who had committed the foul but other angles show clearly that it was defender Alpay.
No one would accuse Bennett, it really was a genuine and understandable mistake, and all he had to do was reverse the decision afterwards but he refused.
With an, "I’m always right", attitude he stood by his decision even though it was clearly the wrong one and Enckelman will now serve a suspension. Villa boss Graham Taylor, having heard of the referee’s refusal, said it was not worthwhile appealing.
We don’t expect referees to be perfect and will accept these errors but it is no surprise that so many people are keen to have a go at referees who have such an attitude that they think they can do no wrong.
That’s Week 11 and thanks again for your nominations, including the regular ones. You now have until midnight next Thursday to send us your NOMINATIONS for Week 12 and we will reveal all next Friday.
The winners so far:
Week 1 – Roy Keane (Manchester United)
Week 2 – Jeff Winter (Referee)
Week 3 – Football League’s Football Disciplinary Commission
Week 4 – Alex Ferguson (Manchester United manager)
Week 5 – Luton Town supporters
Week 6 – Barry Knight (Referee)
Week 7 – Burnley FC Showboaters
Week 8 – Tony Livesey (Editor Sunday Sport)
Week 9 – The Directors and Owners of Franchise FC
Week 10 – David Sheepshanks (Ipswich Town Chairman)
Week 11 – David Davies (Football Association)