City "appear" not to be appealing....

[Eds]

If we appeal and they uphold it and then add another game on he would miss Wembley if we beat the dippers. Mind you if he does play tomorrow we would have to have a minutes silence before the game for the dippers who would think they have been victimised again

 

[Ntini77]

Personally I would appeal. Even if it's upped then we would miss him for only Blackburn (home if it's 4 games) and Bolton (home if it's 5).

Should easily have too much for either of those at home but we need him more on Wednesday

Should we beat Liverpool tomorrow the Blackburn game would actually be the Carling Cup Final.

Ah. Though another game we should have enough to win without him (atleast one would hope).

Still think we should risk the extra game though. Balotelli was sorely missed in the first semi. We need someone who can unlock a defence.

Mario played in the first semi. He went off injured just before half-time. :(

 

[johnny crossan]

I still think Platt's justified accusation that Webb was lying has legs. For a FIFA referee to succumb to FA pressure would be utterly scandalous. Spurs will be preening themselves on the success of their lackeys like Mullery & Mabbutt rolled out by Sky to back up 'Arry and their oh so neutral commentators (why on earth should scum Neville & scaus Souness want Mario banned?) Then MOTD scous joke Hansen weighs in pouring scorn on Lee Dixon when he suggests it's not clear, then the grisly parade on radio Green, Collymore, Chapman etc etc. The truly sickening thing is the appearance of the likes of Paul Simpson and Nicky Summerbee as witnesses for the prosecution. Mark my words this will turn very ugly.

told you:
Raiola also launched a scathing attack on referee Howard Webb, accusing him of lying to protect his own reputation.
He added: "The referee saw everything, because he spoke to Mario after the action.
"So in my opinion, this referee must be banned for life because he didn't tell the truth.
"The TV images show that he is really close to the action, how can he say he didn't see it?
"What was he doing? He says he didn't see it, only to defend himself."
<a class="postlink" href="http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11095/7452048/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11095/7452048/</a>

 

[BlueRiz]

I still think Platt's justified accusation that Webb was lying has legs. For a FIFA referee to succumb to FA pressure would be utterly scandalous. Spurs will be preening themselves on the success of their lackeys like Mullery & Mabbutt rolled out by Sky to back up 'Arry and their oh so neutral commentators (why on earth should scum Neville & scaus Souness want Mario banned?) Then MOTD scous joke Hansen weighs in pouring scorn on Lee Dixon when he suggests it's not clear, then the grisly parade on radio Green, Collymore, Chapman etc etc. The truly sickening thing is the appearance of the likes of Paul Simpson and Nicky Summerbee as witnesses for the prosecution. Mark my words this will turn very ugly.

told you:
Raiola also launched a scathing attack on referee Howard Webb, accusing him of lying to protect his own reputation.
He added: "The referee saw everything, because he spoke to Mario after the action.
"So in my opinion, this referee must be banned for life because he didn't tell the truth.
"The TV images show that he is really close to the action, how can he say he didn't see it?
"What was he doing? He says he didn't see it, only to defend himself."
<a class="postlink" href="http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11095/7452048/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11095/7452048/</a>

This is gonna get ugly for sure if it carries on like this

 

[SWP's back]

Should we beat Liverpool tomorrow the Blackburn game would actually be the Carling Cup Final.

Ah. Though another game we should have enough to win without him (atleast one would hope).

Still think we should risk the extra game though. Balotelli was sorely missed in the first semi. We need someone who can unlock a defence.

Mario played in the first semi. He went off injured just before half-time. :(

I know, that's what I was saying (and when he was on he wasn't able to do much as was clearly struggling with his anke)

 

[mcnab-sees-red]

As part of the match delegates team yesterday the assesor was J.Dncan.

John is an ex spurs player. One of his resposibilities is to discuss the match with the ref BEFORE he writes his report.

Wouldn't mind hearing that conversation.

 

[Ntini77]

Ah. Though another game we should have enough to win without him (atleast one would hope).

Still think we should risk the extra game though. Balotelli was sorely missed in the first semi. We need someone who can unlock a defence.

Mario played in the first semi. He went off injured just before half-time. :(

I know, that's what I was saying (and when he was on he wasn't able to do much as was clearly struggling with his anke)

Ah, my bad. I doubt we'll appeal, though.

 

[cyprustavern]

As part of the match delegates team yesterday the assesor was J.Dncan.

John is an ex spurs player. One of his resposibilities is to discuss the match with the ref BEFORE he writes his report.

Wouldn't mind hearing that conversation.

curiouser and curiouser

 

[Cellarite]

i believe we'd be better served appealing and having him for anfield but suspended for blackburn at home. if we did appeal, i can't see it being extended because it clearly isn't a frivolous appeal when mario says he didn't mean to do it and so many people are split down the middle.

 

[BillCarlisle]

What could they honestly say if City walked in and said "prove its a stamp"
The FA would be pretty fucked

We would then be walking out with a 5 match ban.

Yes but if we said prove it like they would need to in a court of law, there is no way they could. Thats why its a fucking joke

Unfortunately it's not a court of law. The FA Disciplinary is no better than a kangaroo court. They make their decision based on what they believe to be correct, not what is proven beyond reasonable doubt. That's the problem.

My take on this is that City should appeal but in the strongest possible terms that Mario did not go out to stamp on the player, but admits that the way he tried to land was a bit reckless. That way they'll most likely get away with just a 4 match ban as it wouldn't be a frivolous appeal.

I'd rather have him available for tomorrow night as if we get through we can manage without him for the Final, or Blackburn at home if we get knocked out.