Italy v Australia: Was it a penalty?

[London Calling]

To me it is not so disimilar to Owen's againgst Argentina 4 years ago. And Figo's in the group stages.

The defender goes down, the forward leg, trails or trips over the body. A penalty. The ref doesn't get a chance of a replay, the chance to zoom into a facial expression! All he sees is a crap defender tripping up a forward who is on his way to goal!

LC

 

[NMH]

Nailed on.

Penalty.

 

[zefarelly]

never a penalty

but I suppose the sending off was harsh

so these things even themselves out, THat could have been the equaliser if the Aussies had made the most of the 1 man advantage

 

[Jesus Gul]

Yes

Lucas Neill wasn't as prostrate as he could have been. From one camera angle it was as if he was half trying to get up after his foolish lunge to impede Grosso with his shoulder

 

[Kinky Gerbil]

He went to grab the players leg!

Yes.

 

[Shizuoka Dolphin]

It was a rubbish challenge which was always going to end up as a PK.

 

[Garry Nelson's Left Foot]

If anyone watches that and STILL thinks it's a penalty, then they have Beckhamspew where their BRAINS should be.

*shakesheadindisbeliefandfeelsatrickleofbeckhamspewdribbleoutofear*

It's a penalty. Undoubtedly the Italian could have done more to get out the way but Neill throws himself to the floor infront of him. He's not on the floor due to an accident, he's not down there because he's injured, he's down there because he threw himself there to block a shot/cross or make a tackle. He's left himself in a heap at the feet of the Italian who amazingly is tripped over by him. Penalty. not a particularly sporting one, but a penalty. Lucas was an absolute moron for diving in.

 

[Les Biehn]

Just going to ground he impeded him from with getting the ball.

 

[zefarelly]

[BIt's a penalty. Undoubtedly the Italian could have done more to get out the way but Neill throws himself to the floor infront of him. He's not on the floor due to an accident, he's not down there because he's injured, he's down there because he threw himself there to block a shot/cross or make a tackle. He's left himself in a heap at the feet of the Italian who amazingly is tripped over by him. Penalty. not a particularly sporting one, but a penalty. Lucas was an absolute moron for diving in. [/B]

thats a load of cockjuggling wank splatter

the Itie left him on the floor ( left), flicked the ball past ( right), then as soon as he saw a covering defender approaching and realised he wasn't going to get a clean shot in he threw himself over the defender to the floor, deliberately, I'd seriously question whether it was even obstruction. the guys a cheating Italian Bastard.

I'd suggest England players adopt exactly the same tactics on Saturday if they don;t want to be checking in at Munchen airport Sat night

 

[brighton rock]

no mega dive

 

[Man of Harveys]

This vote was piss-excitingly close up until about the 15s each, then the NO's stuck out in front.

 

[Curious Orange]

This vote was piss-excitingly close up until about the 15s each, then the NO's stuck out in front.

Well, they're ALL WRONG.

 

[BensGrandad]

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.

Exactly Indirect free kick for obstruction.

 

[Silent Bob]

Well, they're ALL WRONG.

CORRECT.

 

[tedebear]

Shut up Bob you're supposed to be Silent!!

 

[Garry Nelson's Left Foot]

thats a load of cockjuggling wank splatter

the Itie left him on the floor ( left), flicked the ball past ( right), then as soon as he saw a covering defender approaching and realised he wasn't going to get a clean shot in he threw himself over the defender to the floor, deliberately, I'd seriously question whether it was even obstruction. the guys a cheating Italian Bastard.

I'd suggest England players adopt exactly the same tactics on Saturday if they don;t want to be checking in at Munchen airport Sat night

You're welcome to your opinion Zef, but I'd suggest you look at the replay again.

I have absolutely no doubt that the Italian was looking for a penalty from the moment he got the ball. The Aussie was stupid gave it to him on a plate. Are you suggesting that the Italian should have ran around the defender who had quite deliberately gone to ground? That, to me, would imply clear obstruction as the Italian would definitely not have got to the ball in time, due to having to circumnavigate the prone body on the floor. His only realistic course of action was to hurdle the player. I daresay that if the score was appreciably in the Italians favour he would have made a better attempt at it. As it was it was 0-0 and there was a defender lying on the floor begging to be tripped over. Penalty.

 

[London Irish]

I'd suggest England players adopt exactly the same tactics on Saturday if they don;t want to be checking in at Munchen airport Sat night

As if the likes of Cole and Gerrard need that advice

Professional play by Grosso certainly, but refs have to give it.

The parallel with Leon's pen at Gillingham is exact - did anyone here object to that?

 

[zefarelly]

I am, and I disagree with you, he made no attempt to continue playing and deliberatly fell over. that is not in the good spirit of any sport, its not a penalty, maybe obstruction, he was not fouled he fell over

another one of the reasons why I'm rapidly going off football

 

[Barrel of Fun]

As if the likes of Cole and Gerrard need that advice

Professional play by Grosso certainly, but refs have to give it.

The parallel with Leon's pen at Gillingham is exact - did anyone here object to that?

They don't have to give it if it blatantly wasn't a penalty

I now object to anything involving that little turncoat.

 

[London Irish]

I now object to anything involving that little turncoat.

Good point, well made