Eduardo's ban

The banning of Eduardo for ‘deceiving the referee’ leaves a strangely split taste in the mouth. Whilst it is undoubtedly sweet justice to ban those who cheat, when looked at, the merits of the case leave a rather more bitter taste lingering.

For a start there is the name of the charge: ‘deceiving the referee.’ Eduardo hadn’t simply taken a tumble, but engaged in full on deceit; as if the Croat had convinced the official into giving his details into some intricate pyramid scheme. Why not just call it what it is, diving?

The punishment for diving, when caught during a game, is a yellow card. However, it’s a two game ban if the referee misses it. Is the extra punishment in place for the referee’s ineptitude? If Associations are serious about backing up their referees then why not give them the power to send off divers? That of course could potentially ruin games on a bad call, but the current, scatter gun, position of increased punishment lies in an officiating limbo. Not quite admitting that referees need technological support, akin to the referral system in rugby, but not backing their abilities either.

The case has been led by the Scottish FA, who also has members in UEFA. This case isn’t a first in world football. The last time a player was banned retrospectively was Saulius Mikoliunas, playing for Lithuania against Scotland. Scotland with members on the banning committee, and a key vote in World cup bids. Expect Terry Wogan to walk out of a football game mumbling something about political voting any time soon.

Whilst ‘witch – hunt,’ is too strong a term, Michael Platini is on record as saying the big four is bad for football. Barcelona, with their unbranded shirts seems to fit into Platini’s ideal of romantic football, and with that there has been no talk of a ban for Messi headbutting an opponent. Platini hates the financial dominance of the big four, yet has been strangely quiet on the Real Madrid Galacticos 2 project. Yet despite all this Champion’s League games are all still shown at 19:45, no matter the location, to appeal to the strongest market – the English; the same loyal and unflinching market that makes the big 4 so strong.

It seems UEFA want their big 4 cakes, and they want to eat them all, before banning said teams for causing them stomach cramps.