Italy v Australia: Was it a penalty?

[Silent Bob]

Clear penalty. How's he supposed to get round or over him without the ball getting away. He was impeded, Neill didn't get the ball, it was a penalty.

 

[Brovion]

Some penalty claims are clear-cut (whether the ref gives them or not is another matter). Some are obviously just attempts by forwards to cheat. This one falls into that horrible gray area where even after countless replays we can't agree.

I'm actually going to go for a third option - it wasn't a blatant foul but it WAS obstruction. Obstruction results in an indirect free kick, even if the offence takes place in the penalty area. The correct (or perhaps just the fairest) decision would therefore have been to have awarded the Italians an indirect free kick inside the box (a bit like when a goalie picks up a back pass) Now you don't see that very often.

So MoH, despite your sobbing and desk-thumping I'm saying he DID have a fence option.

 

[Man of Harveys]

*desk crashes to floor*

 

[Icy Gull]

Yes, it was a penalty, if only because we got one very similar to it at Gillingham when the little Swansea shit fell over a body in the box, don't remember a big outcry from Albion fans about that. Especially good feeling knowing we'd beaten our ex landlords by a dodgy goal .

 

[Sid James]

Some penalty claims are clear-cut (whether the ref gives them or not is another matter). Some are obviously just attempts by forwards to cheat. This one falls into that horrible gray area where even after countless replays we can't agree.

I'm actually going to go for a third option - it wasn't a blatant foul but it WAS obstruction. Obstruction results in an indirect free kick, even if the offence takes place in the penalty area. The correct (or perhaps just the fairest) decision would therefore have been to have awarded the Italians an indirect free kick inside the box (a bit like when a goalie picks up a back pass) Now you don't see that very often.

So MoH, despite your sobbing and desk-thumping I'm saying he DID have a fence option.

Brovian, you are a genius

 

[blockhseagull]

Did he win or even touch the ball..... no

Therefore if you go to ground and don't win the ball why should you expect the attacker to avoid you..... you put yourself in the firing line you gotta be prepared for the consquences.

For me was a pen

 

[Trufflehound]

*desk crashes to floor*

*dives over desk, deliberately catching trailing leg on left-hand draw, and rolls on the ground. Looks over at referee with arm in air*

 

[Man of Harveys]

Did he win or even touch the ball..... no

Therefore if you go to ground and don't win the ball why should you expect the attacker to avoid you..... you put yourself in the firing line you gotta be prepared for the consquences.

For me was a pen

But the Italian bloke changed tack in order to run more towards the defender than towards the ball; at least that's how it looks on the YouTube vid.

 

[BensGrandad]

At the worst I would have said that it should have been an indirect free kick for obstruction, which would probably have been given had the incident happened 5yds nearer the corner flag. but definitely not a foul.

 

[blockhseagull]

But the Italian bloke changed tack in order to run more towards the defender than towards the ball; at least that's how it looks on the YouTube vid.

Maybe, but if you put yourself on the floor in front of an Italian what do you expect ?

Didn't Neill also put his arm in the air which gave the impression that he was trying to stop him ?

 

[Captain Pugwash]

no never a pen

 

[Barrel of Fun]

Maybe, but if you put yourself on the floor in front of an Italian what do you expect ?

Didn't Neill also put his arm in the air which gave the impression that he was trying to stop him ?

I thought that was "I'm an not intentionally lying here to impede him" before he took it away as he thought he might trip him.

 

[Man of Harveys]

Maybe, but if you put yourself on the floor in front of an Italian what do you expect ?

Didn't Neill also put his arm in the air which gave the impression that he was trying to stop him ?

I must admit, I can't see the Aussie sticking anything in the air until the Italian's flown past, although, once he realises he's in big trouble, he makes a gesture not unlike a begging puppy.

 

[blockhseagull]

I thought that was "I'm an not intentionally lying here to impede him" before he took it away as he thought he might trip him.

That normally means that they are though

I think you have to pay for being f***ing stupid and going to ground like that, you just can't do it

 

[Barrel of Fun]

That normally means that they are though

I think you have to pay for being f***ing stupid and going to ground like that, you just can't do it

Harsh!

It would have been a great tackle and he can't have been that far away from the ball in the end. I just find it far too convenient for the Italian. He had lost a bit of rythmn after his clash with Bresciano and lo and behold Neill is on the floor. Over he goes.

I didn't watch the interview with Hiddink. What did he say about it? He is normally very balanced about his views.

 

[blockhseagull]

Harsh!

It would have been a great tackle and he can't have been that far away from the ball in the end. I just find it far too convenient for the Italian. He had lost a bit of rythmn after his clash with Bresciano and lo and behold Neill is on the floor. Over he goes.

I didn't watch the interview with Hiddink. What did he say about it? He is normally very balanced about his views.

He wasn't happy !!!

I can see why the aussies are pissed about it, just was a bloody stupid thing for Neill to do

 

[jonny.rainbow]

It's as much as foul by Neill as it is when a player shields the ball out for a goal-kick with an attacking player chasing.

Grosso should have been booked for diving and the game gone to extra-time.

 

[Dick Knights Mumm]

first time I have seen it.

PENALTY!.

what was he supposed to do - stop and pull him up before carrying on. Neill went to ground then tried to obstruct, only ending up getting in his way.

 

[eastlondonseagull]

Aussie bloke was a fool to slide in, but Grosso dived. No pen.

 

[Heffle Gull]

Nope not a penalty