Football: Man U vs Arsenal: The Aftermath
Here are some news stories that have popped up in the aftermath of that encounter at Old Trafford:
FA charge Ruud, summon Wenger
An excerpt from the Soccernet story:
Holland international van Nistelrooy has been charged with serious foul play following a challenge on Arsenal full-back Ashley Cole during the match which United won 2-0.
A statement from the FA read: 'The FA has today charged Manchester United's Ruud van Nistelrooy with a breach of FA Rule E3 - for serious foul play.
'The charge relates to an incident involving Ashley Cole during the match between Manchester Untied and Arsenal on Sunday, October 24.
Ah... this was what I was hoping for. I hope the cheat gets what he deserves.
In the same story, Arsene Wenger was also called up to explain his comments about Riley's performance and calling Van Nistelrooy a 'cheat' (which, IMHO, he IS). Looks like the repurcussions of this match could last for quite some time, just like the same fixture last season.
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Ref chief defends Riley
An excerpt from the Soccernet story:
Referees chief Keith Hackett had no complaints about the way Riley controlled the match.
He added: 'We know this is one of the tough encounters of the season. Mike clearly had a gameplan to try and not suppress the match.
'He wanted it to breathe and perhaps went in with the intention of getting through the game without having to dismiss any players.
My question is: HOW can a referee go into a match with the intention of NOT giving red cards? If a player commits a foul during the course of the game that deserves a red card (which happened on TWO occasions duringthe game), surely the referee HAS to give the marching orders?
Ferdinand deserved a red card for his professional foul on Ljundberg, and Van Nistelrooy should have been sent off for his malicious tackle on Cole. That Mike Riley DID NOT do so makes the referee look more inept than bias, to tell the truth.
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Police could land Arsenal in the soup
An excerpt from the Guardian Football story:
Arsenal may yet face charges over the "Soup-gate" scandal after it emerged that police officers were in the tunnel and witnessed a visiting player showering Sir Alex Ferguson in pea soup and pizza in the wake of his Manchester United team's 2-0 win at Old Trafford on Sunday.
Imagine all the headlines if it turned out that Sol Campbell threw that soup at Ferguson. As it is, Guardian is already having fun with 'soupy' headlines like:
