Arena "The Beautiful Game" - The Official JCC Football (Soccer) Thread.

Chelsea dropped the case against Mata, pursuing with racist claim against Mikel.

Seems like it should be pretty clear. All the assistants heard the alleged conversation. If they side with the referee's version of events, Chelsea will have no leg to stand on and frankly should be punished. Can they be punished? It strikes me, admittedly with no backing whatsoever, as a grievance borne out of frustration against the Terry situation and the performance of the ref.

If the ref did make a racist remark, then his career is probably over. Why would he take that risk?

 

Hmm, whilst the whole thing is stupid, I have no doubt that Chelsea/Mikel/Luiz/Ramires honestly believe they heard Clattenburg say what they claim he did. And with that being the case, no they should not be punished if the remark was misheard. I find it very difficult to believe that any club would take such action vindictively.

 

If there's any doubt, they shouldn't have made a formal complaint. That kind of complaint is damaging to someone whether its founded or unfounded. Guess ill hold off on it until the hearing takes place.

As for the game, meh. Chelsea had to bring on the big guns to get through our very young defence. They can have the LC if they want it. Still, annoying to concede that goal so close to the end. Nani is an idiot.

 

It's not unlikely the assistants would back the referee regardless.

9 goals in the United-Chelsea game, it seems defense is not the thing in the Capital One Cup

 

That's my point. They believe that they heard something untoward. Whether that was what was actually said is for the panel to determine.

 

In other news, still top of the league and knocked United out of the cup. Good times.

 

Downside of course is more of the first team players have played a lot more football this week than United's have. United took a gamble with some younger players and it didn't work, but with the Arsenal game at the weekend it obvious wasn't considered worth the risk of bringing on more players who featured during Sunday's game.

 

lol @ Utd

I don't think the club would. Players on the other hand...

Not sure who I believe.

 

Also, 5-7 yesterday and 5-4 today. Wish I had seen those games.

 

Agree. Just looking at it at face value, the word of the referee and his assistants, all of which have said they heard no abuse over their mics, seems to me more reliable than the testimony of the players, who have just completed a tough game where they had a number of bad decisions against them.

Also, picture now circulating of a supporter at Stamford Bridge mimicking a monkey. It just rolls on.

 

http://i3.mirror.co.uk/incoming/art...+make+a+monkey+gesture+towards++Danny+Welbeck

 

There really are some idiots in the world.

 

Indeed

 

Apparently, John Terry's lawyers are advising Mark Clattenburg to say that he didn't call Mikel a monkey but to instead say that he said, 'I don't give a monkey's' when Mikel complained about the calls that were made in the game.

 

EDIT: double post

 

i agree with Wenger in criticising Chelsea for going public with this so soon after the alleged incident, and before they could even investigate it properly.

between Terry, this, and monkey man in the stands, it's been a bad few weeks for CFC. shame it hasn't effected their premiership form.

 

Regardless of how it ends, can Clattenburg ever ref another Chelsea match? Surely not.

 

These things are always made public before an investigation. Seems silly to single this one out. But I agree, it's been a crap time to be a Chelsea fan with all this off-the-field stuff going on.

But with this ref thing, there are 3 possibilities

1) He made a racist remark
2) He didn't but Chelsea truly believe he did
3) Chelsea are making it up

Occam's razor says it's number 2. I doubt anyone thinks it's number 3. And if it's not number 3, then it would be stupid to charge Chelsea should the allegations be deemed false.

 

As I mentioned already, I wouldn't put it past some of the players to make it up.

 

2 minutes 38 seconds. haha

 

Rooney has missed 7 of his 20 EPL penalties.

Someone quote this post so I can 'like' it.

 

LOL

 

Rooney should watch Ryan Giggs take penalties, has that guy ever missed one?

LOL @ Arsenal, especially when their former best player scored against them.

Also, top of the league. Nice

 

What does Euro soccer do during the months of Nov-March? I wonder what I might be able to watch (screw the EPL) during the break in US soccer...

 

Not sure if this has been mentioned yet, but Ian Holloway has taken over as manager at Crystal Palace. So hopefully he'll be in the top flight again next season. Shame it won't be with Blackpool, though.

 

As my local club, quite pleased to see Holloway join. I was at the game against Blackburn yesterday. Zaha is really ace.

 

And yeah, RVP should be taking the penalties, not Rooney.

 

I need to get RVP in my fantasy team. Sucks that he's about 4 million more than Tevez (who I would be getting rid of). Probably worth it though to get a dependable captain (barring injury).