Criminal law and footballers

Football is of course a physical sport. Heads can bang against each other when two players are aiming an approaching ball, of course. A foot can accidentally remain 'planted' into the ground during a normal type of body check, resulting into a turning knee or ankle, possible. That's all in the game. But what if you use football as an excuse to just lash out to someone? Just for fun, because there's no law?

Let's go back to Sunday March 17 – the horrendous foul made by Callum McManaman during the 1^st half between Wigan Athletic and Newcastle United. The action was gross and unnecessary. He stormed in wild with a stretched leg directly aiming the one of Haïdara, who got seriously injured due of that action and had to undergo surgery.

The referee – Mark Halsey – should had shown him a direct red card for that, simple. Instead he decided not to. This might have been because he wanted to lay the responsibility of judgement into the hands of the FA disciplinary commission at Wembley, who could easily investigate the video evidence. However, weird enough Halsey also didn't gave a free kick to Newcastle – making himself look foolish.

Now there is something I am very curious about: if you deliberate kick someone on purpose, being excessively wild in your behaviour that you do not care about the outcome to your action towards someone else – what would it be named according to the law? The law is simple, as secion 18 of the Offences agains the Person Act 1861 will come into force.

It is actually very weird when you think of it that the law doesn't seem to apply for those who are on a football pitch. We again take the Wigan v Newcastle game where there were Police officers ON DUTY who witnessed the assault, who saw Haïdarain seriouspain after the attack, and decided not to arrest McManaman. While if you would do something similar (or even milder!) yourself on the streets than you can be assured Police Officers will jump on top of you straight away and take you into custody. But hey ho, not a footballer.

The excuse that it was McManaman début can be rubbished. He has of course never played football in his life before and was still getting used of the feel of the ball. That object he entirely missed while storming in like a 6 year old – was due to inexperience.

And the FA let McManaman escape as they were hiding behind their rule that 'only one match official witnessed the incident'. Fair of course: as did several Police Officers, as did a crowd of more than twenty-two thousand spectators and as well did millions of people world wide who saw it all live on their TV sets.

Let's put on another fine example. Joey Barton his potential head butt during Manchester City v QPR last May would have resulted into an imprisonment of up to 6 months (!) if he did it OFF the pitch. Same counts to Fellaini who planted his head into Shawcross last December. The law even states that if you are being convicted to a head butt for a second time, you could get up to a full year in jail. But of course this does not apply for a footballer.

Footballers got a role model function and should live by those standards. I really want the rules to be changed that if a player is causing a (serious) injury to an other player – the one who does the offence would not be allowed to play any football until the attacked and injured one is fully recovered. In this case it would have ruled out the remaining of Roy Keane's career as his sickening kick on the leg of Alf-Inge Haaland forever ruined his. This is probably the most extreme example, I know, but players do are being 'kicked for joy' quite a lot and my proposal will result into a fairer game in the end.

below - normal challenge, of course

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City v Barnsley 5-0 – Vroom! How to smack a journo with clichés

Wearing my Diesel allstars I was well fuelled up for the late kick off fixture last Saturday. It was a game in which Lamborghini were hosting a DAF truck, with the Wembley semi-final as reward at the end of a 90 minutes tunnel journey.

And the visitors – as expected – parked their bus in front of their goal. I don't know why they called their goalkeeper Luke Steele a 'captain', as he simply was throughout the game their live commentating host: “and on the left we are seeing goals, and on the right we are also seeing goals”. The only thing missing to illustrate the DAF truck visitors were the cameras hanging around their necks.

Their mechanic David Flitcroft had no doubt worked out a constructive plan on the drawing table in his garage during the last couple of weeks. With none of his bus parts missing he was relying on a strong counter attack tactic: put the gear from 1 to 2, then accelerate and when losing the ball: REVERSE, REVERSE! They only were not capable of turning into Transformers, sadly, as the Lamborghini players were too fast with their hydro petrol engines.

Pit stops were made by both teams throughout the game, but it was a heated moment when Carlos Tevez was part of one and he looked like a rabbit staring at the car's headlights when a police officer dressed up as Roberto Mancini wanted to have a word with him. Unlucky for him was the fact that a speedy camera has caught that moment – but most likely he shall escape a penalty. However if awarded he would no doubt easily take and score it from the spot.

5-0 the final score, with top speed Tevez scoring 3 goals and ordering a taxi for the other 2. The machine was well oiled and of course only the best was provided by our owners. Now it's time to focus on an away trip to Everton, and this time they should all take the train from Piccadilly instead of using any vehicle containing a stirring wheel – this in order to make sure we can avoid any more car/arrest jokes by very original journos. Let's keep the speed going and definitely not de-rail.

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The danger of the Ever Blue proposal

On Tuesday, all Manchester City season ticket holders received a 'Fan Survey' in which a proposal was being made to vote 'yes' or 'no' towards a new plan called Ever Blue. I sincerely hope the majority will understand the background meaning of this and will vote against it.

The Ever Blue means you must pay a 'deposit' of two seasons in advance 'to make sure you will keep your seat'. This comes now on top of your season ticket renewal. If you decline to pay for the deposit, than someone else in the waiting list shall do so in the end and you'll be moved out of your seat in two seasons from now.

In order to confuse the fans they stated: “fans may decline the purpose that someone else buys your seat”. But wait, by not paying the deposit – or you can't afford it – simply means that you're 'giving up your seat'. So are you then being moved elsewhere? Not if all those other seats are already claimed by other Ever Blue subscribers.

Where will this new idea lead to? It means that unpaid seats will be sold for a higher price to those who got a deeper pocket. Those who got more wealth will also spend more in the club shop. Is this a plan in order to gain more money due of the Financial Fair Play? Surely there are other ways to do so instead of forcing loyal fans out and replace them with people who got more money.

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The great successes when fans are taking over

I am not going to rant about commercialism within football, as it's simply there. Of course you got genuine sugar daddies – those who want a club to succeed and enjoy sharing a happy time together with their available money. But I'm going to write about fans who stood up against greedy businessmen and did not hold back in order to protect their biggest love in life – and keeping their pridefully gained history to remain alive and kicking.

The strongest and most powerful example in modern football is of course AFC Wimbledon. Back in 2002 already, the Wimbledon FC supporters founded their own club in protest over plans to re-locate their much loved club up to Milton Keynes. It was amazing to witness, that determination – with almost all the loyal fans taking part. When the first ball started to roll at their shared Kingsmeadow stadium there was one main target: getting back into the nationwide football league as soon as possible – and after only 9 seasons they accomplished their heroic achievement!

Five promotions in nine seasons time, exceptional. The whole project was from scratch. WFC fans paying contributions and season tickets year in year our, a sponsor sniffed the opportunity to become part of the exciting project and not only that: former players of the 'old' Wimbledon its Crazy Gang are working within their managerial ranks. This is a club of the people, and the reason why I like following them and their progress ever since their establishment.

Which I also find great is that – as they demanded it, and rightly so – they've took back all the trophies ever won and the full history of the old club for it to remains in the area. A current long time target is to build an own ground near to where the old club used to play, with the old greyhound track seen as ideal location. I hope for them they can get that ground, but only if fresh from current issues in that surrounding area.

Another fine example, which came due of AFC Wimbledon's success, is FC United of Manchester – who set up a heritage club in protest against the Glazer family their ownership of United. Also here a lot of fans are taking part, building up a healthy finance. Their greatest success so far is no doubt reaching the 2^nd round of the FA cup back in 2011. Also a great achievement for them is that they've received permission to build an own stadium in the north of Manchester, which will be used for the first time when season next season kicks off. I do hope for them have kept a register of all the fans who joined their project from the start in order to avoid glory hunters to suddenly hijack their current and future achievements. But I have no doubt they got that protection in mind themselves.

There are also some sad stories about fans trying to break free of their current club owner, but do not understand how it works. Or are simply too selfish. Mind you, I think the FCUoM fans do agree. Fans at Old Trafford were being fooled by conmen who sold Green and Gold scarves, and gained a lot of money via other ways as well, in order to make a bid to buy out the Glazer family. I smelled a stinker from a long distance myself, most didn't. They thought buying a scarf was enough, while still buying (season)tickets and a new jersey each and every season – feeding the Americans with just as much money as before purchasing their 'protest scarf'.

The big con was of course was that after a long period of collecting money from desperate United fans, they pulled out the plug one month before their set date to make a formal offer – stating they had 'internal disagreements' – and we never heard from them ever again. They did gain millions of pounds, but that money 'is gone'.

A current big fight which is going on is taking place at Portsmouth FC. A club who got into turmoil after their old manager Harry Redknapp spend way too many millions on 3^rd grade Premier League players 'trying to become a big player in the top'. He finished 13^th in his first season back in the top flight, and resigning during the second while struggling on the bottom trying to avoid the drop. To show his dignity, he joined their most hated rivals Southampton two weeks later. If QPR would go down this season, it would be Redknapp's 4^th Premier League club he will sank out of the top flight and therefore it is making him the ideal new manager for the English national team, don't we agree? – (sorry, this a snap I simply couldn't refuse)

Sadly for the Portsmouth loyal – gathered together as the Pompey Supporters Trust – is that after several years they are still not owning the club. However, not that long ago the administrators have thankfully indicated they only want them to succeed with their bid to take over the powers. It's just a matter of time. I hope for them that a big sponsor would be willing to join in when accomplished and they'll be back soon to Play Up Pompey – as their loyal fans deserve their true love to be theirs again.

(AFC Wimbledon fans after winning play offs final in 2008)

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The magic of the cup - with Bradford the true winner

A cup fever has always been special, especially when little teams reach far due of strong guts and bravery. Yesterday was the most historical climax at Wembley when never-a-fouth-tire-team-reached-the-final side Bradford were paired with the Premier League fun package Swansea. Also to them is has been amazing – both teams in fact – had never reached a final of a major cup ever before. And it was Bradford's pride that was the genuine winner.

First of all I would like to state that it's a disgrace that the FA tried to charge Bradford City a sickening £2000 to 'permit them' to display a tribute banner in order to remember the 56 people who died on the 11^th of May 1985 during the Valley Parade Fire disaster. Seriously: how much did they charge to stage a minute silence for the Munich Air Disaster earlier this month? And why didn't the FA stage a minute silence this time for the other victims who died? This is highly controversial. Please STOP your 'respect campaign' now, dear FA. As I'm asking you to go back to the roots of sportsmanship.

The game itself went down the pan quite fast. Some brave faces of the northerners definitely got overwhelmed with the impact of the biggest game ever of their lives. It was however in the second half when the bitter taste stated to kick in at the score of 3-0 to Swansea when referee Not-A-Friend awarded a penalty and sent off the Bradford goalie. It was a foul, yes, but at that score with a team being outclassed, it was pathetic to show a red card. No dignity. That incident then got overshadowed by Canadian-born Dutch front man De Guzman, who refused to let Nathan Dyer to take it in order to secure being the first player in the cup history to score a hat-trick in the final. De Guzman using head-taller and bigger body in order to claim the spot kick, it reminded me of his behaviour back in the days he was still playing for Feyenoord – as he went through the youth ranks of the Dutch club. He has always been trouble – his arrogance doesn't reflect his talent.

I also point an angry finger towards Swans manager Laudrup, who should had stood up at the sideline but did not. Not only that, after the penalty all Dyer's team mates were non-stop passing the ball to him in order to 'make it up' for De Guzman's behaviour and to let him claim the big honour in history. But what did Laudrup do? Substitute him! So he let his bully remain on the pitch, giving him a double joy. To later claim that 'it was all his fault' because 'he forgot to appoint a number one to take the penalties' doesn't swallow well.

The score went to 4-0, but it were the Bradford fans who took over Wembley completely. It was actually a humiliation towards the Welsh as the Bantams fans sang their longs out and all of them were waving their special day flags in the air. It took about five minutes before one or two Swansea fans joined in with their flags, but the fact remains that to me there was only one winner. They have beaten Wigan and Arsenal, not just that, they outclassed Aston Villa in the semi finals. Yes, their end-of-season highlights DVD will be the one I shall purchase.

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The discussion I wanted to unfold

I wanted to grab an issue last Monday, and I can say that my mission has accomplished. Therefore I now come with a special follow up edition.

This has been an issue many City fans have been speculating about – and I used my blog in order to open up a discussion. No need to remain in an 'if but and or maybe' position.

Some people told me I was being 'too harsh', as Marwood is 'only a footsoldier for his bosses'. I have to agree that it has been announced a year ago that the club wants to reduce the wage bill before doing any new investments, with also an eye to the Financial Fair Play. Thankfully several contracts are ready to expire upcoming summer and certain players might be sold as well. No need to speculate about who could be sold as this article is about something else.

So, am I taking back my question about Marwood regarding Cook? Yes. I basically only wondered as there has been three transfer windows since his departure – but of course never questioned his integrity. The Tevez saga should not be connected to Cook's dismissal, basically because we as fans can – and maybe may – not get involved into backroom staff affairs. And never forget that our owners have so far been very good to the club and to us as fans.

Do I still believe in a Mr Cook connection? No. I only opted one of many speculations with some great feedback in return. As mentioned, we could all remain in an 'if but and or maybe' position – in which all theories could, and so far did, snowball into many possible directions – resulting into 'wrong views' to cement. This is not fair towards Mr Marwood.

Important is that we're only at the beginning of our new era journey – with some great trophies already won and with a squad on the pitch you could have never dreamed of back in the old days. The club is fully right to keep internal issues behind closed doors, like potential transfer targets as well other matters which non-club related people should not get their hands onto.

However, when you sense that the fans are feeling unsettled and names are gossipping around, it would be wise to let that person – in this case Mr Marwood – have some publicity and talk about issues we are allowed to know more about – in order to ease the bubbling uproar. An easily to set up charm campaign can already put a storm to lay down, being a mild breeze only to remain. Just a thought. It would stop the press from writing rubbish, with one journo wanting to imporess the other one with an even more saucy story line. It can result in destablishment, which my Monday article tried to point out. A simple interview on the own website alone would do wonders.

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Man City - The question I have to Brian Marwood

We as City fans are of course very grateful to where Roberto Mancini has brought us to. When he got appointed he stated very bravely: “in the first year top 4, the year after – Champions”. And indeed we did. Also he brought us an amazing FA Cup success, with glorious games at Wembley still fresh in our memories. And let's not forget the Community Shield back last summer – not really a big price as it's only a single game, however of course you do still have to win it.

A bit of a shame is that we're currently not enjoying a season of progress, we're even taking a step back. So, where has this all gone wrong? Several aspects we can point out for sure. However the most important one was last summer (and of course this January) in which none of Mancini's transfer targets were being recruited – all mainly being blocked by Brian Marwood.

Very interesting fact is that Marwood has worked alongside Garry Cook – who has been dismissed on the 9^th of September 2011 for 'sending an offensive email' to the mother of young starlet Onuoha. Both gentlemen have also worked together at Nike before heading to Manchester in 2008. They know each other very well. Now, I might be thinking a bit too deep here – but has Marwood's behaviour regarding blocking transfers been a plot of 'revenge' for his pal?

Another funny fact. Only three weeks after Cook was dismissed, Tevez suddenly 'refused' to warm up during the Champions League away game at Bayern Munchen. Now this could indeed be two separate incidents, but weird it surely is. I'm not going to speculate this Tevez issue – he had his punishment, he came back and is clearly feeling warmed about being accepted again by the fans and his team mates.

So in September 2011 our derailment began. Now let us roll on a season to this current campaign. Last August during a press conference Mancini was being asked about why he hadn't signed up anyone so far, in which he emotionally replied “ask Marwood!”. And let's be honest, how could he ever work properly while being hold against? The manager was trapped, pinned. Frustration began to bubble. Some deadline transfers did reach our squad, but simply the only interesting one of those is the arrival of young defender Matija Nastasić, who has been blooming brilliantly.

Apart from him I think no one has been an addition. Maicon is working hard, mind you, but we didn't need him. Rodwell, very injury prone and not worth the money the club has paid for him. And how about Javi Garcia? He tries to be efficient, but simply is not good enough for a top team as he's not capable of reading a game – sometimes standing still staring down and being clueless of what to do with that funny round shaped marble in front of his feet. Now I do am aware that Garcia is being liked by some of the fans, and I hope you will prove my criticism wrong. But we ain't an Aston Villa kind of club any longer, we need quality in to challenge the top.

Irritation boiling over, and Mancini started to publicly rubbish his own players. Yes, you need to sharp your players up by making certain comments, but he only became snappy during the last couple of months – always kept issues within the dressing room. Most recent he has repeatedly attacked Joe Hart, stating he would not mind dropping him. Also he has indicated he 'does not rate' the stopper. Yes, Hart made some errors recently, but that came down to the non stop negative talking by his manager. When he played against Brazil on Wednesday the 6^thof this month, he was simply showing some amazing skills again – this is the difference between giving confidence or giving stick.

So question again is: why has Marwood blocked 3 transfer windows? Revenge on the club for sacking his buddy? Or is there a new manager lined up and he has been ordered to wait with spending money until the new man is installed – in which means Mancini is on borrowed time? We City fans wish to know. This has cost the club millions of pounds due of a failed European campaign as well we've lost our chances of defending our league title due of the internal situation.

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ADDED EDIT: I have to agree that Marwood is a footsoldier who is following orders for his bosses. The current disturbances on the pitch I have most likely placed into the wrong direction. However - there is always a right to ask questions. But thanks to a healthy discussion views can be brought into a more clearer perspective. If my direction of questions were wrong, I wish to apologize to Mr Marwood.

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