Don't you care, C. Ronaldo?
By Yu Nan (chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2006-07-07 16:36
Portugal's Cristiano
Ronaldo celebrates after the penalty shootout in the World Cup 2006
quarter-final soccer match between England and Portugal in Gelsenkirchen
July 1, 2006. [Reuters] |
"It is time to get the players, coaches and referees around the table and try
to find some sort of solution to this problem, "he said.
"None of us wants these incidents, and the referees are there to correct this
kind of misconduct, but the players shouldn't seek to gain an unfair advantage,"
he added.
As soccer powers of comparable ability like France and Portugal meet, big
games seem to be decided on penalty calls, by which players seek to gain
advantages and win the game.
History suggests this was not always the case.
Robert Bernard Fowler of Liverpool during the 1997 England Primer League went
down in the penalty area but he persuaded the referee not to give a penalty, as
he insisted the Chelsea goalkeeper, their opponent, didn't make a foul. But a
foul was given despite his protests. .
Robert then purposely failed to shoot the spot kick. He was thus awarded the
Sportsman of the Year Award by UEFA, Europe's football governing body.
Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo now is shortlisted for FIFA'S inaugural Gillette
Best Young Player Award at the World Cup.
But he has received a barrage of media and fans criticism early ahead of
Portugal-France game, accused of influencing the referee's decision to send off
Wayne Rooney of England during Portugal-England match.
Admittedly, the Manchester United winger performance on the pitch could be
skillful and exciting, but another criterion for the prize is fair play.
To be qualified as a best young player, 21-year-old C. Ronaldo has a long way
to go.
|
