Finally good to see the FA get one right.
As far as whether or not Webb saw it, you can only go off what he says. He said he didn't see it and that's that. Be pissed if you like, but what more can the FA do? Say, "no Webb, we are going to throw out your statement and conclude that you did see it" and not ban Balotelli as a result? Of course not.
Now, the more important issue, of whether or not he deserves to be banned. Obviously, this revolves around whether or not the stamp was intentional. Despite being a Spurs supporter, this is an issue I like to think I can consider in a completely unbiased way for the simple fact that, regardless of the color of the jerseys, if you had replaced Balotelli with any other player on any other team in the league (same with Parker) I would still be calling for a harsh ban on what was a clearly intentional stamp. It truly amazes me how some can watch all of the angles and conclude that his leg was in the natural motion of reclaiming his balance. I simply do not see it this way. The lad is falling forward, yet his leg extends to the side and back. It was intentional. It was dirty. And there is no place for it at any level, in any league. We could easily be talking this morning about permanent serious damage that Parker received as a result of Balotelli's intentional action.
I said in the pre-match that the last thing I wanted was for a refereeing decisions to decide the match. I wouldn't say that is exactly what happened, but a missed call by Webb has clearly influenced the final result. Perhaps you feel justice was served if you believe City deserved the three points (personally, I think a draw would have better reflected the way the match went) and fair enough. Plenty of decisions have gone against you lot this season. For me, though, it is impossible not be upset at the way things turned out. Players con the referee all the time with dives, etc. But Balotelli did so by violently lashing out at another player. That pill is much harder to swallow.
Anywho. Great second half. We probably should have nipped all 3 points, but I guess to a certain extent we are still the same old Spurs. Either way, certainly the excitement level we all hoped for and an entertaining match until the end.
Hopefully the next time we play the headlines won't be dominated by the unacceptable behavior of a single player, but by the well-played, hard-fought battle between two of the league's top teams.
