Went to watch a game this morning, quite an intense and well-fought one. One player in the home side was making it particularly difficult for the referee, provoking his opponents and being at times very unsporting.
About midway through the second half, when one of his teammates was chasing for a ball with an opponent, he shouted "break his legs!" loud enough for it to be heard by I think everyone close by in the stands and the benches. The player cleared the ball out fairly, but immediately, chaos and a mass-confrontation erupted. Couldn't see any violent conduct by the player in question, apart from half the opposing team pushing and shoving him and looking like they were about to, yes, break his legs. The opposing coach also took to the field to show his disgust. Referee and lino have a chat, and the player is sent off.
Home team goes absolutely mad, player has to be dragged off the field, claiming that "it must be allowed to motivate your teammate", "it wasn't meant for you, ref", etc.
My question to you, would you do the same? In my view this is an outstanding and impeccable decision by the referee. Language like this has no place on our fields.
About midway through the second half, when one of his teammates was chasing for a ball with an opponent, he shouted "break his legs!" loud enough for it to be heard by I think everyone close by in the stands and the benches. The player cleared the ball out fairly, but immediately, chaos and a mass-confrontation erupted. Couldn't see any violent conduct by the player in question, apart from half the opposing team pushing and shoving him and looking like they were about to, yes, break his legs. The opposing coach also took to the field to show his disgust. Referee and lino have a chat, and the player is sent off.
Home team goes absolutely mad, player has to be dragged off the field, claiming that "it must be allowed to motivate your teammate", "it wasn't meant for you, ref", etc.
My question to you, would you do the same? In my view this is an outstanding and impeccable decision by the referee. Language like this has no place on our fields.