14 Aug 2011

FOOTBALL CHEATS: No 22 - Joey Barton (Newcastle vs. Arsenal - 2011)

The new season is only one day old but we already have our first example of deliberate, shameless cheating. To be honest, I had my money on football cheat extraordinaire Wayne Rooney breaking this season's duck but Newcastle's Joey Barton has beaten him to it.

As the commentator states in the video below, Barton should be ashamed of this:



Yes, there was contact but Barton went down like he'd been hit by a car, then writhed on the ground in imaginary pain, clutching his face for added dramatic effect.

Barton ashamed? You're having a laugh! Clearly proud of himself for conning the referee and getting a fellow professional sent off, Barton boasted about his swan-dive on Twitter, actually admitting he cheated:

"I went down easy, no doubt...cant raise ur hands, end of".


Barton knows he can get away with boasting about it in public because fans DON'T CARE. Find me one Newcastle website slating him today; in fact, find me one article in the media slating him for feigning injury.

Barton also seems to be suggesting that it's okay to fake the severity of the 'slap' impact because the 'law' states you 'can't raise ur hands'. Robbie Savage seemed to agree, replying to Barton with the following:

"Raise your hands straight red end of".

Right, so the mere act of raising hands gives the player on the receiving end the right to act his way to an Oscar? I get it now. It may be a brand new season but the poisonous rationalising/acceptance of cheating from fans and pundits alike remains the same.

The funniest thing about the whole situation is that Barton had the chutzpah to label Gervinho a cheat, and then even talked about respecting the game (!):

"Merely called out a fellow professional for blatantly cheating. Everyone hates cheats...I train all summer to have him cheat us out of hard earned point. Its not on. Diving should be 3 game ban. Respect the game".

Respect the game?! The irony is clearly lost on Barton.

Despite this transgression, Barton is a novice compared to some of the expert cheats out there, and it will only be a matter of time before Rooney shows him how it's really done.

If you would like to see a particular instance of cheating featured in this series then please send me a link to the video (editor@liverpool-kop.com)and I'll publish it on the site.

Jaimie Kanwar


68 comments:

  1. I take it Gerrard is Number 1 on this list?

    ;)

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  2. Not number 1, but he does feature on the list several times.  

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  3. as he admitted he went down (very) easily, for which there are no excuses,
    but gervinho should have been sent off/banned for the dive alone! absolutely appauling dive, towards the end of a close game where they couldnt muster a decent effort on goal so he decides to cheat? these people should be driven out of the game! a yellow card is not nearly enough of a punishment!!

    if this is other player who went down easily people would be saying 'well he went down easily, but you cant raise your hands...' as its barton its turned on its head!
    and dont get me started on songs stamp! haha

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  4. I think you mean the THIRD example of deliberate and shameless cheating following Sagna's stamp + Gervinho's dive not to mention the theatrics of the earlier matches.

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  5. take it you like mr moanalot from the arsenal you missed the stamp as well eh 2 words mate spec savers

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  6. I'm not sure about the Gervinho 'dive' - I can't find a decent enough angle to conclusively see if it was a dive.  If anyone has a video, please post a link and I'll include it in the series.

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  7. hope Suarez is on this list !!! dive for a pen yday, dive for the free which resulted in Liverpool goal, biggest diver in the prem , gervinhio looks in a similar mould

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  8. Gervinho didnt dive his ankle was clipped and Sagna didnt stamp it was Song....

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  9. http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xkj2gs_newcastle-united-v-arsenal_sport

    5.40 for the song stamp and 6.40 for the dive! long distance view for the dive but still pretty conclusive to be fair!!

    nice to see typical 'big cub' behaviour towards a ref as well - surround him to complain - even the keeper amking an appearance in the other box!!

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  10. but sagna took 3 steps after taking a kick on the ankle before collapsing to the ground, presumably the effect of a sniper in the stands?! haha.

    (not disputing it was a freekick mind!)

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  11. oh dear clearly a bell end with absolutly no idea!!!

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  12. One single Newcastle site that slates Joey? You obviously have done no homework on this whatsoever... NUFC are right down the middle about the man, the sites are full of discussions and arguments about him.

    NUFC don't want their name dragged through the mud (cough - anymore) so I think some fans would be glad to see the back of him.

    In terms of cheating - one could argue that Joey Barton was merely demonstrating to Arsenal that if they can dive, so can he.

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  13. Hi Fatman - please post a link to post on an NUFC forum in which the majority of posters are slating Barton for faking injury to get someone sent off.  Alternatively, please post a link to an NUFC forum where fans are labelling him a cheat.  Thanks.

    <span>In terms of cheating - one could argue that Joey Barton was merely demonstrating to Arsenal that if they can dive, so can he.</span>

    You don't seriously believe this is a credible argument, do you? :-D  

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  14. <span>Good point Jaimie. After Barton has essentially admitted to cheating to 'make a point', I wonder if there is scope for the FA to punish him retrospectively.</span>

    <span>It certainly was a contentious match. Gervinho was clipped, but IMHO certainly made the most of it to obtain a decision.  Prior to that incident, the stamp by Song was atrocious, but no excuse for Barton's thuggish theatrics later on.</span>

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  15. Joey Barton's Rage3:06 pm, August 14, 2011

    you are all a bunch of babies like the arsenal. All professional footballers cheat. They all go down easy at some point. These are grown men, strong athletes and nothing of that sort should ever knock you over, and don't get out the in full flight so it knocked him over arguement!

    Sagna on the edge of the box...got clipped but not enough to knock a grown athlete over. Gervinho...same, yes his shin pad brushed tiote's shinpad but does it warrant enough contact to knock you over without your reflexes putting your arms out to stop it? no. . And Joey Barton, well I'm absolutely embarassed because of that but if he stayed on his feet and him hit back how much lynching would be going on right now, like he says what if he stamped on song?

    Well sumon, song should be banned for stamping, gervinho for diving aswell as his red card etc. Barton's 'thuggish theatrics' (bet you were proud of that paper like alliteration) of helping someone to their feet were not that bad, he didnt raise his hands like the guy with the wig or stamp on someone on the ground with their back turned, i believe they were more thuggish than barton. after barton punched pedersen he got done for it, so should song for the stamp.

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  16. The name of the blog I forget but it's very popular and opinion is divided. Just find Newcastle on the newsnow page. That's how I found this lazy, second rate article.

    Point 2 - I clearly wasn't being serious. But maybe part of his theatrics were due to the amount of occasions his opponents have dived in order to get him in trouble. A kind of protest, if you will.

    Or maybe he's like every other footballer... Not 100% perfect like the rest of us.

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  17. I think that Frank Lampard needs to be added to this list of shame; a blatant attempt to con the ref this afternoon! Even his own cousin admitted it! Perhaps someone should edit his Wikipedia entry as whilst his academic ability in Latin is noted, a mention of his A* in drama has unfortunately being ommited! 

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  18. Gervinho was being sent off regardless of Barton's antics. When you rasie your hand you deserve to get sent off. How hard he struck him is irrelevant. Where do you draw the line? I agree Barton's behaviour was disgraceful.

    Jaimie i tihnk youll find that there is an element of cheating or gamesmanship in most professional sport. In cricket players do not wlak when they know they are out. Bowlers appeal when they know the batsman is not out. .

    players in rugby consistantly operate ont he fringes f the law.

    no need to even mention athetics or cycling

    I think giving up watching sport entirely would be your best option

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  19. You're right, Arabee - cheating is everywhere.  It doesn't mean we just have to accept it though. I could give up watching sport altogether, and in some cases, I've already done that. I don't want to give up watching football though, so I'll keep highlighting cheating wherever I can.  Thousands of people read this site, so every person who reads an anti-cheating article represents another person who might - over time - possibly change their view and become more intolerant of it.  If I only ever reach a few people then that's fine, but it's still a few less people condoning cheating.

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  20. <span>You're right, Arabee - cheating is everywhere.  It doesn't mean we just have to accept it though. I could give up watching sport altogether, and in some cases, I've already done that. I don't want to give up watching football though, so I'll keep highlighting cheating wherever I can.  Thousands of people read this site, so every person who reads an anti-cheating article represents another person who might - over time - possibly change their view and become more intolerant of it.  If I only ever reach a few people then that's fine, but it's still a few less people condoning cheating.<span>
    </span></span>

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  21. As shown on MOTD and attested to by Shearer no less IT WAS NOT A DIVE!  Yes he went down easy but there was contact, end of.

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  22. kanwar did you find a new sponsor or are the yanks still paying you to understand football with a view to a come back ? you are dishonest at best and a complete fraaud with machievelian intentions at worst ..if you have any morals stop the verbal cheating and find some honest work ..we know who you are ..

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  23. I think you'll find a vast majority don't condone cheating. When the alternative to not accepting it is leaving the game altogether it is unfair to just expect people to boycott it. No one here so far.

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  24. wow you recieved new money ..you are back say hello to the yanks

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  25. I think you'll find a vast majority don't condone cheating,  No one here so far. When the alternative to not accepting it is leaving the game altogether it is unfair to just expect people to boycott it.

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  26. Nah, the 'Yanks' are still paying me.  Problem is they keep giving me envelopes full of dollars instead of pounds.  Good ol' George, eh :)

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  27. Barton is definitely the bad boy of football. It is a pity for such a talented player to go over the top like that. What's more is that he is a SCOUSER...

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  28. Not boycott - speak up and condemn it.  If a player cheats, even someone on the team you support, say something.  Make it clear you don't accept it.  If a player on your team dives for a penalty and gets it, don't just applaud and accept it because it gives the team an advantage - criticise the player.  The more fans make it clear that they despise cheating, the less players will be inclined to do it.

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  29. I'll tell them 'howdy' from you :)

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  30. Having seen that earlier, I totally agree with Shearer's analysis.

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  31. even if its not a dive he went down with absolute minimal contact.should be just as embarrased as barton for that. song shoulda been sent off for the stamp on barton. it seems to me that opposing players are trying to get a rise outta barton to get him sent off

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  32. wot drugs are you on to say suarez dived you mug. get yor eyes tested

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  33. <span><span><span><span>Hi Joey Barton's Rage</span></span></span></span>

    I absolutely agree with your opinions regarding the Song's stamping, hence my use of the word atrocious to describe the incident. The punishment has to be a straight red, no question; indeed there is nothing in my post that disputes your assertion. With regards to Gervinho, the minimum he deserved for the dive was a yellow. However he did raise his hands at Barton, and therefore by the letter of the law deserved a red. Again I can't recall stating otherwise.

    However no matter how aggrieved Barton is, he cannot be allowed to disrupt the game in this matter. It is paramount that all players understand that it is solely the job of the officals to adjudicate the game. The actions of himself and Song are especially reprehensible when you consider that Saturday was the start of the 'Get On With The Game' initiative by the FA focused on protecting referees and allowing them to do their job without intervention. 

    Equally reproachable was the blatant hypocrisy of Barton's feigned injury, a situation which he later admitted to manipulating to exact a dismissal. In principle, is there really much difference between diving to obtain a penalty and commiting the same offence to get a man sent off? Both are equally objectionable in my eyes.

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  34. <span><span><span><span><span>Hi Joey Barton's Rage</span></span></span></span>  
     
    I absolutely agree with your opinions regarding the Song's stamping, hence my use of the word atrocious to describe the incident. The punishment has to be a straight red, no question; indeed there is nothing in my post that disputes your assertion. With regards to Gervinho, the minimum he deserved for the dive was a yellow. However he did raise his hands at Barton, and therefore by the letter of the law deserved a red. Again I can't recall stating otherwise.  
     
    Nevertheless, no matter how aggrieved Barton is, he cannot be allowed to disrupt the game in this matter. It is paramount that all players understand that it is solely the job of the officals to adjudicate. The actions of himself and Song are especially reprehensible when you consider that Saturday was the start of the 'Get On With The Game' initiative by the FA focused on protecting referees and allowing them to do their job without intervention.   
     
    Equally reproachable was the blatant hypocrisy of Barton's feigned injury, a situation which he later admitted to manipulating to exact a dismissal. In principle, is there really much difference between diving to obtain a penalty and commiting the same offence to get a man sent off? Both are equally objectionable in my eyes.<span>


    </span></span>

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  35. <span><span><span><span><span><span>Hi Joey Barton's Rage</span></span></span></span>    
       
    I absolutely agree with your opinions regarding the Song's stamping, hence my use of the word atrocious to describe the incident. The punishment has to be a straight red, no question; indeed there is nothing in my post that disputes your assertion. With regards to Gervinho, the minimum he deserved for the dive was a yellow. However he did raise his hands at Barton, and therefore by the letter of the law deserved a red. Again I can't recall stating otherwise.    
       
    Nevertheless, no matter how aggrieved Barton is, he cannot be allowed to disrupt the game in this matter. It is paramount that all players understand that it is solely the job of the officals to adjudicate. The actions of all three players are especially reprehensible when you consider that Saturday was the start of the 'Get On With The Game' initiative by the FA focused on protecting referees and allowing them to do their job without intervention.     
       
    Equally reproachable was the blatant hypocrisy of Barton's feigned injury, a situation which he later admitted to manipulating to exact a dismissal. In principle, is there really much difference between diving to obtain a penalty and commiting the same offence to get a man sent off? Both are equally objectionable in my eyes.<span>  
     </span></span><span>

    </span></span>

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  36. <span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Hi Joey Barton's Rage</span></span></span></span>      
         
    I absolutely agree with your opinions regarding the Song's stamping, hence my use of the word atrocious to describe the incident. The punishment has to be a straight red, no question; indeed there is nothing in my post that disputes your assertion. With regards to Gervinho, the minimum he deserved for the dive was a yellow. However he did raise his hands at Barton, and therefore by the letter of the law deserved a red. Again I can't recall stating otherwise.      
         
    Nevertheless, no matter how aggrieved Barton is, he cannot be allowed to disrupt the game in this matter. It is paramount that all players understand that it is solely the job of the officals to adjudicate. The actions of all three are especially reprehensible when you consider that Saturday was the start of the 'Get On With The Game' initiative by the FA focused on protecting referees and allowing them to do their job without intervention.       
         
    Equally reproachable was the blatant hypocrisy of Barton's feigned injury, a situation which he later admitted to manipulating to exact a dismissal. In principle, is there really much difference between diving to obtain a penalty and commiting the same offence to get a man sent off? Both are equally objectionable in my eyes.<span> </span></span></span><span>

    </span></span>

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  37. hi Red4Life

    Agreed. He is a great talent, and his tweets and interviews demonstrate intelligience and insight. However there is no excuse for these antics which so detract from his natural ability. Unfortuntely there are a fair few other high profile footballers that this concern could also apply to.

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  38. <span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Hi Joey Barton's Rage</span></span></span></span>        
           
    I absolutely agree with your opinions regarding the Song's stamping, hence my use of the word atrocious to describe the incident. The punishment has to be a straight red, no question; indeed there is nothing in my post that disputes your assertion. With regards to Gervinho, IMO there does appear to be minimal contact. However he did subsequently raise his hands at Barton after provocation, and therefore by the letter of the law deserved a red. Again I can't recall stating otherwise.        
           
    Nevertheless, no matter how aggrieved Barton is, he cannot be allowed to disrupt the game in this way. It is paramount that players understand it is solely the job of the officals to adjudicate. The actions of all three are especially reprehensible when you consider that Saturday was the start of the FA's 'Get On With The Game' initiative, focused on protecting referees and allowing them to do their job without intervention.         
           
    Equally reproachable was the blatant hypocrisy of Barton's feigned injury, a situation which he later admitted was a manipulation to exact a dismissal. In principle, is there really much difference between diving to obtain a penalty and commiting the same offence to get a man sent off? Both are equally objectionable in my eyes.<span> </span></span></span><span>  </span></span><span>


    </span></span>

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  39. It's quite simple

    There is no will from the people in charge of football to do anything about cheating because they are in it to make money

    Controversy = "experts" talking about with super slo-mo HD footage for 30 minutes after the match interspersed with increasingly profitable advertisement breaks

    More "controversy" = more money

    All of the analysts are way too close to the game and the people involved in football. Their critique is a charade. If you want honest assessment of football today look no further than John Giles on RTE. He is unique

    Don't lower the tone of your website by quoting Robbie Savage. These guys are absolute cretins

    Joey Barton is pathetic. He is too dim to realise that he is an utter hypocrite

    PS, they should put a HD camera on match official's heads and then let us see what they actually see, show viewers how difficult these decisions are

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  40. Players are millionaires these days, they couldn't care less if the morons who facilitate their massive wealth don't approve of a dive

    The authorities should root it all out of the game (but they are utterly corrupt)

    Cite cheating opponents, video reviews, sin bins, large fines, large suspensions - football will be transformed over night

    Another point, our owners will sell up if UEFA aren't seen to enforce financial fair play rules. That's when i will boycott it

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  41. Barton intelligent? Do me a favour, he's a lout and a hypocrite. People following his twitter account are just encouraging his attempts at feigning intelligence

    He is a somewhat talented footballer but his flagrant disregard for anything outside of his own inflated self interest is exactly why no serious club could ever take a risk on him

    Remember his vicious assault on Alonso at the corner flag. That was utterly spiteful and an attempt to seriously injure a fellow pro. He'll end up in prison for a long spell sooner or later

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  42. theycallmemrburt2:03 am, August 15, 2011

    How you doin fellas (tips his hat to red4life, Gab, Sumon and Arebee)

    Look who the cats dragged in :-D

    There were THREE cheats in this video.  I will announce the winner in descending order.  In joint second place Gervinho and Barton for their abilty to feel the slightest contact and go down.  But out in 1st place by a country mile is Steven 'handball it on the line and hold your head' Taylor. 

    At 0.13 the referee has turned and ran away.  At 0.22 the referee comes back into shot and clearly wouldn't have been able to witness what had taken place.  Cue Steven Taylor.  At 0.22 Taylor makes it clear that Barton had gone down due to a violent elbow from Gervinho even though he himself was between the two handbag wearing players and would have known it was physically impossible for Gervinho to extend his elbow ala Inspector Gadget. 

    Would the ref had sent Gervinho off had it not been for the cheating of Steven Taylor?
    Ahhhhhhhhh

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  43. Hi Simon

    Fair point..on reflection and after reading more of his tweets last night I will 
    retract my assertion about Barton's intelligience. Excuses have to be offered. 
    Personally I am blaming my vain hope that one of these vapid, overpaid 'role 
    models' might actually opine something worthy of intellectual regard, for last 
    night's rose tinted statements. It's possible that I have judged his tweets by 
    the lowest possible denominanters (Ferdinand and Rooney) but the question has to be asked, how does a man go from stubbing cigarettes out in someone's eye to quoting Nietzsche?! Maybe a well educated and articulate publicist is the 
    answer!  

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  44. <span><span>Hi theycallmemrburt</span></span>
    <span><span> </span></span>
    <span><span>Glad to see you back on here. I hope you are well! You raise an excellent point about Steven Taylor, but personally my award of cheat of the day still goes to Barton for the additional double whammy of trying to usurp the referee, and his subsequent hypocritical boasting of illegal conduct. That said, as you correctly opine, the video evidence does clearly show Taylor to be equally culpable of deception. All in all a rather torrid match for the first day in the Get On With The Game campaign!</span></span>

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  45. Hi Simon

    An excellent point, that can easily be extended to the sale of tabloids. After all those contentious decisions and the invariably violent backlashes they provoke are food and drink for Murdoch's odious media empire.

    Many would also agree with your criticsisms of football analysis in this country; the ingrained mentality that only an ex footballer/manager can offer credible insight is absolutely incorrect. To often we are forced to listen to their laboured drivel, waiting in vain for some level of credible insight that simply never occurs! Frankly, the appointment of Gary 'Rat-Boy' Neville was the final straw for me. If I'm forced to watch a Sky feed, it's turned off the moment this cretin opens his mouth!

    A final point about your suggestion regarding referee mounted cameras; an excellent idea that would be now comparatively easy to implement considering the advances in video camera technlogy that have recently occured. I wonder if there is scope for you to submit this proposal to the relevant authorities?

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  46. <span>Hi Simon  
     
    An excellent point, that can easily be extended to the sale of tabloids. After all those contentious decisions and the invariably aggressive backlashes they provoke are food and drink for Murdoch's odious media empire.  
     
    Many would also agree with your criticsisms of football analysis in this country; the ingrained mentality that only an ex footballer/manager can offer credible insight is absolutely incorrect. To often we are forced to listen to their laboured drivel, waiting in vain for some level of credible insight that simply never occurs! Frankly, the appointment of Gary 'Rat-Boy' Neville was the final straw for me. If I'm forced to watch a Sky feed, it's turned off the moment this cretin opens his mouth!  
     
    A final point about your suggestion regarding referee mounted cameras; an excellent idea that would be now comparatively easy to implement considering the advances in video camera technlogy that have recently occured. I wonder if there is scope for you to submit this proposal to the relevant authorities?<span>

    </span></span>

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  47. <span><span>Hi Simon    
       
    An excellent point, that can easily be extended to the sale of tabloids. After all those contentious decisions and the invariably aggressive backlashes they provoke are food and drink for Murdoch's odious media empire.    
       
    Many would also agree with your criticsisms of football analysis in this country; the ingrained mentality that only an ex footballer/manager can offer credible insight is absolutely incorrect. Too often we are forced to listen to their laboured drivel, waiting in vain for some level of credible insight that simply never occurs! Frankly, the appointment of Gary 'Rat-Boy' Neville was the final straw for me. If I'm forced to watch a Sky feed, it's turned off the moment this cretin opens his mouth!    
       
    A final point about your suggestion regarding referee mounted cameras. It's an excellent idea that would be now comparatively easy to implement considering the advances in video camera technlogy that have recently occured. I wonder if there is scope for you to submit this proposal to the relevant authorities?<span>  </span></span><span>

    </span></span>

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  48. <span>Rather worryingly, a cursory glance on twitter reveals considerable validation for Barton's behaviour despite his admission that:</span>
    <span> </span>
    <span><span> </span>'I did go down easily but it is not OK to hit me because it's me. I have been hit harder at school.' </span>
    <span> </span>
    <span>Essentially it’s tantamount to those fans directly endorsing cheating. Sounds like a harsh allegation to make? Let's be quite clear, when people use the phrase 'going down easily', the direct inference is that the player could have tried to stay on his feet but instead opted for blatant simulation to emphasise the opponents contact. So while Joey (rightfully) feels it's wholly unacceptable for a player to dive, his subsequent ‘Tom Daley’esque antics are somehow justified because he has decided that Gervinho committed a similar offence? Someone needs to tell Mr Barton that he is not judge, jury and executioner on the playing field!</span>
    <span> </span>
    <span>Have these Barton apologists ever heard of the phrase 'two wrongs don't make a right' How can any sane person wilfully ignore such blatant hypocrisy? And finally, when did Mr Barton ever become the world's first 'team based playing referee'?! </span>
    <span> </span>
    <span>I am in no way justifying Gervinho's conduct; he raised his hands and struck a player and therefore</span>
    <span>had to go. But the idea of a significant numbers of football fans (including many non NUFC supporters) somehow condoning Barton's self confessed cheating is really rather embarrassing.<span>  </span></span>

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  49. <span><span>Rather worryingly, a cursory glance on twitter reveals considerable validation for Barton's behaviour despite his admission that:</span>  
    <span> </span>  
    <span><span> </span>'I did go down easily but it is not OK to hit me because it's me. I have been hit harder at school.' </span> 
    <span> </span>  
    <span>Essentially it’s tantamount to those fans directly endorsing cheating. Sounds like a harsh allegation to make? Let's be quite clear, when people use the phrase 'going down easily', the direct inference is that the player could have tried to stay on his feet but instead opted for blatant simulation to emphasise the opponents contact. So while Joey (rightfully) feels it's wholly unacceptable for a player to dive, his subsequent ‘Tom Daley’esque antics are somehow justified because he has decided that Gervinho committed a similar offence? Someone needs to tell Mr Barton that he is not judge, jury and executioner on the playing field!</span>  
    <span> </span>  
    <span>Have these Barton apologists ever heard of the phrase 'two wrongs don't make a right' How can any sane person wilfully ignore such flagrant hypocrisy? And finally, when did Mr Barton ever become the world's first 'team based playing referee'?! </span> 
    <span> </span>  
    <span>I am in no way justifying Gervinho's conduct; he raised his hands and struck a player and therefore</span>  <span>had to go. But the idea of a significant numbers of football fans (including many non NUFC supporters) somehow condoning Barton's self confessed cheating is really rather embarrassing.<span> </span></span><span>


    </span></span>

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  50. When compared to above mentioned tweets, Barton's are works of genius alright ;)

    I think any footballer who is smart enough to write something intelligent and insightful is not stupid enough to write on twitter in the first place

    Footballers just shouldn't tweet about matches etc, unless it was to publicly apologise for a dive, accept that FA should punish them and pledge not to do it again.............. and we should all look out for low flying pigs

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  51. If there was I would have a list as long as my arm

    I always repeat myself here but here goes some suggestions

    - Sin bin, even a cross look at the ref can get you 10 minutes
    - Post match citing panel
    - Video review panel
    - South american style aerosol spray for free kicks etc
    - 2/3 challenges per coach per match, by video replay
    - Goal line technology
    - change to red card rules, give only a yellow if resulting penalty is scored, red if it isn't
    - rotate referees across the top leagues in Europe, some Spanish referees at the last few El Classicos have been amazing, esp last night

    Controversy sells. I don't read tabloids, but it's hard to avoid all the hype. Most "fans" aren't even interested in football, just gloating

    The referees should all strike across all of Europe unless some of the suggestions above are implemented

    I really can't understand why Gary Neville gets the prime time slot. He is, in purely footballing terms, totally blinkered and bigoted. Why not give it to a former great, who is not already a millionaire, able to afford to splurge millions on a Telly tubby style eco house

    I am loving the fact that Terry, Lamps, Drogba have to obey instructions from a guy younger than them who was never even allowed to play outfield for his local amateur side - they forced him to play in goal he was that bad

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  52. Umm 'he went down easy but there was contact'. Is that not exactly what you are condemning Barton for.

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  53. Refereeing is impossibly hard to do without co-operation from the people participating, try it with your mates in a 5 a side. You are instantly hated, a normal friendly game turns into 10 v 1 - the ref!!! The slightly rotund, timid guy who don't rate and who you always nutmeg effortlessly suddenly grabs you by the throat over a throw in!!!  (Slight exaggeration :) )

    We can repeatedly launch "Respect" campaigns and keep up the pretence of trying to change the game or implement a programme of retrospective punishment with heavy suspensions / fines. Hit the millionaires where it hurts. They are inspiring new generations of cheats


    I am like a broken record here i know, but i hate that the game i have played and loved since i could walk is such a parody of the notion of "sport"

    A little story below highlights how prevalent the utter disrespect that football exudes is and how it is ignored by sad "coaches" who want to "win" (at under 11's!!!)

    I remember playing under 11 football and a horrible little kid (albeit from a wholly unloving, deprived environment) who played centre mid would routinely curse in every referee's face every week, openly threatening opponents and smashing them up with tackles as he marauded about the pitch and never get pulled up on it by anyone. Even as a 10 year old i knew he was dangerous and needed some intervention, no one ever did intervene, he was a "good" player, aggressive and confrontational. And we wonder why Spanish players are better etc. We played on full size pitches from the age of 9 or 10 (As an aside, and football is not entirely to blame, but that little kid grew up to be a violent killer google search "chinese student killed dublin 2007")

    Then in secondary school i was given choice between an after school study program or to play rugby. I obviously chose rugby. The respect for referees, opponents and the actual sport of rugby could not have been more stark when compared to football

    In Ireland, esp Dublin, in general there is a massive social divide between those playing soccer and rugby. This may explain the respect issue. In rugby, the referee or opponent's coach will probably turn out to be your employer!!!! Rugby seems to be used to network by the middle / upper classes

    I also know a chap who was studying Law in UCD while also playing for St. Patrick's Athletic a few years ago. (St. Pat's are one of Dublin's most famous football clubs)

    Even though he was a very good player, his opportunities were few and far between, the manager essentially asked my friend why didn't he just stick with his own social class. He was forced out, had to find another club because he was "too posh"

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  54. Hi Simon

    Your posts have raised many interesting suggestions, some more immediately viable than others. However we can certainly all agree that goal line technology and free kick aerosal spray should be implemented as soon as possible

    The concept of a sin bin is intriguing. When working with youngsters, it's a strategy I have used to universally positive effect, so maybe it merits more formalised trials with increasingly older players.

    With regard to your suggestion of a coach referral system, I am not so sure. Though well suited to games such as cricket and tennis, I'm less confident how it could be intergrated with the more fast moving pace of football. How would you envisge the practicalities of such a concept?

    It's my firm belief that 'Get On With The Game'style intiatives workmost effectively in conjuction with your suggested<span> programme of a strongly defined </span><span>retrospective punishments. The idea of preempting bad behaviour by fostering a culture of respect defined by basic rules and guidelines is clearly meritous. Further benefits of such high publicity schemes include the chance to change behaviours of players at all levels of the game. Perhaps mandatory endorsement by the most high profile players may cause them to think twice before they launch into yet another blatant dive or foul mouth tirade aimed at the officials. And for the morons that continually transgress, as you say, 'h</span><span>it the millionaires where it hurts'; heavy salary percentage based fines and suspensions all the way!</span>
    <span><span>

    </span></span>

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  55. <span>Hi Simon  
     
    Your posts have raised many interesting suggestions, some more immediately viable than others. However we can certainly all agree that ideas such as goal line technology and free kick aerosal spray should be implemented as soon as possible  
     
    The concept of a sin bin is intriguing. When working with youngsters, it's a strategy I have used to universally positive effect, so maybe it merits more formalised trials with increasingly older players.  
     
    However with regard to your suggestion of a coach referral system, I am not so sure. Though well suited to games such as cricket and tennis, I'm less confident how it could be intergrated with the more fast moving pace of football. How would you envisage the practicalities of such a concept?  
     
    It's my firm belief that 'Get On With The Game'style intiatives work most effectively in conjuction with <span>programmes of a strongly defined </span><span>retrospective punishments. The idea of preempting bad behaviour by fostering a culture of respect defined by basic rules and guidelines is clearly meritous. Further benefits of such high publicity schemes include the chance to influence attitudes and behaviours of players at all levels of the game. Perhaps mandatory endorsement by the most high profile (and quite often most guilty) stars may cause them to think twice before they launch into yet another blatant dive or foul mouthed tirade at the officials. And as for the morons that continually transgress, as you say, 'h</span>it the millionaires where it hurts'; heavy salary percentage based fines and suspensions all the way!  


    </span>

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  56. As a footnote, I have to say you have certainly educated me about the perceptions of playing football in Ireland. I shall certainly reflect on your comments. 

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  57. Just want to reiterate that i played in inner city Dublin against teams from inner city or poorer suburbs, so my experiences are based on that, just in case i annoy anyone else from Irelan, it could be different outside of Dublin

    But a lot of the current crop of Irish talent are from teams from my area, Robbie Keane, Andy Reid, Richard Dunne etc

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  58. The game stops all the time because of feigned injuries etc to stall an opponents' attack, as in Drogba rolling back onto pitch etc.

    If we can put up with these stoppages then surely we can stop the game for 1 or 2 minutes to get an important call right

    Set up a citing / review panel who use social media to broadcast results of their investigations

    Facebook page, updated weekly with video of all offenders and a Twitter account which outlines weekly offenders and fine dished out

    That will soon solve the problem of over-Tweeting idiots and the respect / feigning injury / simulation issues in one foul swoop

    Shame them into behaving

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  59. hey Simon

    Yes that could work actually. How many reviews would you deem to be sufficient? Personally I feel a couple per game would be sufficient. Credit too for the idea about using social network sites to name and shame. Quite ironic really..I like it!

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  60. A couple may be fine, but i guess it would be messy and tiresome. I feel exasperated just thinking about Fat Sam etc just challenging for the hell of it. For example every goal from a corner could be challenged for grappling in the box

    Could Liverpool have challenged lack of a red card for Richardson? Doubtful if it could work that way

    If the respect campaign really worked with retrospective punishment / sin bins, we could just get back to a situation where we rely on match officials, with possibility of human error etc, because any dissent would be severely dealt with

    Referees must REALLY love football to out up with the immense pressure

    Maybe I should launch a NameandShame facebook / twitter campaign. Target every single cheat, Liverpool ones included of course. Get enough followers and it could change things without the useless authorities doing anything........... Hmmmmmm.......

    I would need to watch every single match in it's entirety, lot of work

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  61. I've set up a twitter account  -
    @NameplusShame

    and

    nameplusshame@gmail.com

    Let's go!!

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  62. '<span>Referees must REALLY love football to out up with the immense pressure'</span>

    <span>Absolutely! However this poor chap's love for the game must be on the next level </span>
    <span>when you see the violence and abuse he has to endure!</span>

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hvug_KQpWGM

    <span>
    </span>
    <span><span>

    </span></span>

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  63. Ok guys, whats the most atrocious example of diving you have ever seen? Obvious choice, but for me it's got to be Gilardino's farcical attempt to con the referee! (Milan v Celtic)

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8W00d3yJKl4&feature=related

    Joey barton wasn't the only transgressor this weekend, Lampard's attempt was pretty abysmal too. I'm pleased you mentioned this one Simon! (twitter <span>@NameplusShame)</span>

    Disgusting..happy to name and shame. Any other examples?

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  64. Ok guys, whats the most atrocious example of diving you have ever seen? Obvious choice, but for me it's got to be Gilardino's farcical attempt to con the referee! (Milan v Celtic)

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8W00d3yJKl4&feature=related

    Joey barton wasn't the only transgressor this weekend, Lampard's attempt was pretty abysmal too. I'm pleased you mentioned this one Simon! (twitter <span>@NameplusShame)</span>

    Disgusting..happy to name and shame. Any other examples?

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  65. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kIrPrMVUNOs

    This wasnt a dive to win a penalty but this one has always stuck in my mind

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  66. classic..i remember tht one...the way he clutches his face ..the Turks near where I live were going crazy!

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  67. Hi all (tips his hat to red4life, Gab, Mrburt and Arebee)

    I find it amazing that anyone is prepared to defend that scum that is Joey Barton. Who the hell does this guy think that he is? Whenever I go to the pub or a party, when I meet someone who is always getting into scrapes or barred from pubs, however nice they seem to me, I avoid them like the plague. Once someone has been around as long as Barton and is still getting into scrapes, you know he is bad news.

    Various scrapes with members of the public and team mates, ending in jail.
    Various claims of turning over a new leaf.
    Various new scrapes with opponents and club management.

    If there is not enough evidence to kick this guy out of the game for bringing the game into constant disrepute, no one should ever be charged with such an offence again.

    The problem seems to me, rightly or wrongly, that people, like Song, stamp on him as retribution for him being a thug who probably has 'afters' with 100 players in the EPL. As for the 'slap', if Barton kept his hands to himself, that would never have happened, not sure why you are able to yank players up like that and not get a red card. By the scruff of the neck? And MrBurt is right about Steven Taylor, he should be explaining his 'elbow' claim to the FA at this very moment. What do the FA get paid for if they cannot watch that and punish everyone guilty based on what is obvious to everyone? If they want to ban Song as well, fair enough, but I suspect that no one but Barton would have been stamped like that and, no doubt, it was revenge for some other mindless act that Barton committed earlier or in a past game.

    And if Ryan Babel can get fined, Barton should be in hot water for his hypocrisy and for basically admitting he cheated.

    This guy is not as good as he thinks he is, he is not worth the trouble that his presence on a football field causes. He should have been kicked out of English football a long time ago. He's simply not worth all the trouble that continually surrounds him and I am amazed that anyone wants to give this man the benefit of the doubt anymore. Like I said earlier, if you ran across someone in your local who was involved in so many scrapes, eventually you would avoid them. I don't usually believe that there is 'no smoke without fire', but when someone has continually created that much smoke, it has to be true. The guy is an arse.

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  68. p.s. As for Barton being intelligent, the writer Fyodor Dostoyevsky, writer of Crime and Punishment once said "Lying to ourselves is more deeply ingrained than lying to others".


    It only takes 2 minutes to find a quote on whatever you like, from whoever you please, on google. The guy is a fraud. I've never read Crime and Punishment in my life, either.

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