Is cheating on the rise in football? I don't think so.
Yes, two high-profile events have reflected badly on the game recently but there is no need for hysteria.
I'm pretty sure that Thierry Henry's handball against the Republic of Ireland was an instinctive reaction to a ball that was going out of play.
Flashpoint: Carsley (centre) confronts Ngog after penalty award
The fact that the goal stood is down to the incompetence of the officials - not so much the referee but the linesman who had a great view of it. Here was a prime case where video evidence could have helped them.
But the officials missed the infringement, rather than misinterpreted it, and put in those terms FIFA's ruling that the World Cup play-off cannot be replayed is understandable.
Lucky
I really feel for Giovanni Trapattoni and his players, though, I really do because they were the better team over the two legs and made the French look the very ordinary side they are.
I really feel for Giovanni Trapattoni and his players, though, I really do because they were the better team over the two legs and made the French look the very ordinary side they are.
Andy Gray
Quotes of the week
Liverpool v Man City
12pm, Sat, Sky Sports 1 & HD1
France were far from certain of progressing to South Africa 2010 at the time of the incident and must consider themselves very lucky.
The same goes for Liverpool on their last outing in the Premier League when it took a blatant dive from David Ngog for them to get something out of their clash with Birmingham.
Here was another case where I suspect a manager was grateful for his player's actions - whether they were legitimate or not.
The fact is that having lost five Premier League games already, Rafael Benitez simply could not afford another defeat. The same is true this weekend when Manchester City visit.
Here are two teams whose early-season report can only read 'just aint good enough'. City may have only lost one league game but they have drawn their last five and like Liverpool surely won't be happy with just a point this weekend.
Pressure
Rafa said earlier this week that victory will kick-start his team's season and normally I would agree with that.
But the same was said ahead of their clash with Manchester United; they duly won that but then went and lost to Fulham so it doesn't always follow that one good result brings another.
Liverpool's Champions League display away at Lyon will have given fans a little bit of confidence but I also watched them against Birmingham where they had a lot of possession, a lot of shots and huffed and puffed for the majority of the game to little avail before Ngog's tumble.
Predictably Steven Gerrard despatched the penalty and there's no doubt they need him, Glen Johnson and Fernando Torres back and firing as quickly as possible. The international break has helped that process.
Fault
This week the Reds are up against a team that is under pressure themselves and has got to start defending much better as a unit. City are conceding too many goals and are not as solid as they should be by any stretch of the imagination.
Sparky Hughes will demand a much better display from his defence on Saturday than they have given in recent weeks. That in itself is going to make life very difficult for Liverpool.
Up until now there has been a little bit of 'getting to know you', a few teething problems which initially was acceptable. But the defending in the 3-3 with Burnley was very, very poor.
And it wasn't just the back four at fault. They weren't helped out for the last goal by the midfield area. This is an experienced team and they must realise soon that each player has a collective responsibility to defend too.
When you are building a team you have to start at the back and Sparky knows that; that's why he bought Joleon Lescott, Kolo Toure, Wayne Bridge and Shay Given.
Nonsense
He also knows the importance of a settled squad which is why I can't imagine he's impressed by the continual speculation linking Robinho to Barcelona.
The whole thing seems far-fetched to me. I don't see why Barcelona would want Robinho given his injury problems. Perhaps they think he is a better player than he is? I don't know.
To give the Brazilian credit he had a pretty good first season in English football even if most of his performances did come at home.
Anyway, I hate it when agents start touting their players about. It's just a nonsense. Robinho should pay Manchester City back a little before he decides to jump ship and head to Barcelona.
I don't think he will start the game on Saturday. If he is involved it will be from the bench and they will feed him in gently. The same goes for Alberto Aquilani. I think everyone originally thought this might be the weekend he starts a game for Liverpool but that doesn't look likely.
So we've two very talented players who at the best will be on the bench - if we see Aquilani at all this weekend.
In a big game like this home advantage is important and I don't think Liverpool will lose this one as it's massively important to them - they may even shade it. If Liverpool come out at full strength and firing then I think it will be a difficult game for City.
But whatever the result, let's hope it's a fair one.
Comments (51)
Stuart Gibb (Kilmarnock fan) says...
I am a great admirer of Andy Gray i find his entusiasim for football a great aspect of his commentary but I must say reading this article about Henry & Ngog his view is slightly of the mark to blame officials or call for video evidence every time a player cheats is not correct even Benitez was informed by Ngog that he had not been fouled but still came out with comments with no mention of gamesmanship football is high pressure sport but look at golf ect these pros do not try to con officials week in week out,managers have to sort this inhouse.
Posted 13:27 25th November 2009
S Baird (Rangers fan) says...
It's time video technology was introduced, i dont agree that it will make the game that much longer. After all, out 90 mins of football lucky if the ball is even actually in play for more than 70 mins these days. People forget that these decision/incidents can cost managers their jobs in the long run. However in order for video technology to work ref's need to get mor respect so they feel comfortable enough to use it. I believe thats why it works in rugby, how often do you see a rugby player back chatting to a rugby ref? It's got to be used for major incidents, only difficult point is where that stops. Goals, penalties, free-kicks in and around the box? Who knows, but i feel its got to be introduced. Also, this is not the first time Henry has handled the ball, known it and celebrated like he is a king, Barcelona V Rangers Champions League Group Stages when he scored Barca's first at the Nou Camp.
Posted 16:55 24th November 2009
John Dutton (Manchester City fan) says...
There is a great deal of hypocracy flying about in regard to Thierry Henry's handball. I am gutted that Ireland did not get through I think nearly all of England, just like myself did. Anyone who has played football will know that handball in a situation like this one goes on all the time, even by the fairest of players. It is done in the heat of that moment, and instinctive. There are many other handballs that are not instinctive e.g. swatting an incoming corner kick, because the player has time to watch the ball in flight so there is no need for handball; this type of handball is cheating. In all cases of handball it is up to the officials to make sure they spot them and penalise the offending team... if they cannot then technology should be applied... the additional officials a la Platini have already proven to be flawed (reference Fulham).
Posted 16:15 24th November 2009
Sukhdip Sihra (Dover fan) says...
I think Henry is like cheese. Smelly.
Posted 13:51 23rd November 2009
Fergus Haverty (Manchester United fan) says...
I think people can accept penalty decisions and other marginal mistakes from referees because the game is so fast but those decisions cannot be compared to what Henry did. Only Maradona's hand of God compares and that was wrong then and this is wrong now. As long as there are gaps in the way the referee makes a decision, we will always have players trying to cheat their way to glory. Football is riddled with it. Imagine the world cup final is lost on a decision as blatant because the ref didn't see it. Do you think some faceless FIFA representative releasing a comment to the media stating "rule 5 sub paragraph whatever ... the referee's decision is final" will be acceptable. People are scared about the sport loosing it's soul. Maybe Andy, you can help describe on your blog what type of soul modern day football is supposed to contain. What parts of the soul are we supposed to loose if we provide the referee with a better means of making a decision before he restarts the game. People will always try to push the boundaries in all things if they can get away with it. If players know they are likely to be caught, they won't do it. That isn't the sport loosing it's soul, it's accepting human nature and putting a system in place to catch it. I feel sorry for the ref, the Irish, the French public and some of the French team because of the embarrassment this has caused them. I even feel a little bit sorry for Henry in a weird way. He is getting ridiculed for his actions that should have been caught by the ref. But maybe we're seeing the real Henry now so that's not a bad thing either. The first handball was an accident, the second was not plus the celebration of the goal and not calling for a replay before FIFA made their statement lead me to believe he would do it again and again and again.
Posted 12:50 23rd November 2009
E Ward (Liverpool fan) says...
I spent ¿500 to go to Paris and cheer on my team who played by the (fair play) rules only to see them robbed of a prize they deserved by a team who did not. I feel robbed by a sport I love(d) and by the association which is employed by us (I play for a Fifa registered club) to run it fairly. Sepp Blatter appears to have disappeared off the face of the earth just when he should be doing his job and at least explaining Fifa's perspective on this sorry mess. Andy, Henry palming the ball the second time in the direction of his foot could not be considered an instinctive reaction and saying that cheating happens all the time is no real defense!
Posted 11:51 23rd November 2009
Christy Ryan (Manchester United fan) says...
fifa can not and must not display the fair play flag at the world cup and any match at all it would be a smack in the face for the irish if they did
Posted 08:36 23rd November 2009
Lewis Roulstone (Newcastle United fan) says...
Is cheating on the rise in football? Definetly. I still can't believe that David N'gog won that penalty against Birmingham a few weeks ago, the referee wasn't that far away, and i can't beleive he thought that N'gog was actually fouled. Its now time for the FA to introduce two more officials to the game, have one behind each goal and incidents like that can be stopped. It could be the difference for Liverpool making the top four and Birmingham being relagated.
Posted 22:45 22nd November 2009
Eoin Dempsey (Barcelona fan) says...
grow up lads,we had the chances and i dont blame henry,one of the best professionals of all time,i blame given and mcshane!
Posted 22:07 22nd November 2009
Martin Forde (Manchester United fan) says...
Cheating is not on the rise, it is at saturation point already
Posted 17:32 22nd November 2009
Trent Schofield (Wigan Athletic fan) says...
'Cheating' has been the backbone of football probably since its inception. Stealing yards at throw-ins & free-kicks, Claiming for throw-ins, corners, fouls, offsides etc which are clearly not valid. Simulation in and out of the box. Pushing, pulling and obstructions. The list goes on & on. The only way for it to be stopped is for the clubs to be punished retrospectively using video evidence with deduction of points. Only then will the managers/chairmen control their players as there will be significant financial repercussions to the club.
Posted 12:44 22nd November 2009
Tom Symonds (Tottenham Hotspur fan) says...
If all footballers are cheats, please explain "Gentle Giant" John Charles. Never carded in his career at Leeds, Juventus, and other clubs. Seems to me it is too easy to blame the referees and not the cheats. The players' skills in cheating have overwhelmed the referees' skills in detecting cheating. So, Andy, what's to be done to help referees? I would like to start with players, managers, owners, and everyone else connected to the game to commit to Fair Play. But that now seems to be impossible as FIFA has seen fit to ignore an act of cheating seen by millions worldwide and throw Fair Play under the bus.
Posted 05:04 22nd November 2009
Peter Munro (Bolton Wanderers fan) says...
To say that football would 'slow down' or there would be 'stoppages' in the match is a bit far fetched. Do we not see enough time wasting, excessive rolling about when fouled and tactical substitutions to eat up the clock. The fact that most matches now end with having played 4 mins extra time and also 1-2 mins at half time, ( just add it on to the end of the game ffs) while the ball in play is only around 60mins total says to me that to have electronic measures to ensure that a FAIR and HONEST result has happened is neccessary. To highlight just a few incidents here is pretty pointless as most of the real fans here know to whom I am referring. To think that only a few months ago the book was going to be thrown at Eduardo for a 'dive' when there was questional contact and now with a 'blatent and on purpose' handball to gain an advantage is gonna be swept under the carpet to save the French FA and Michel Platini's embarassment. We here in England are already sick of cheaters, 1986, Maradona's 'Hand of God' incident as a starter. So wise up Platini et al. If you do nothing about this incident imagine how you will feel if YOU lose a world cup qualifier / quarter final / semi final / final to a controversial and media frenzy incident and then see how WE will sit back and tell you that we dont actually care. Doing nothing now is only your own downfall and we will actively block any untoward actions that you try impose if the 'rub of the green' doesnt go your way. Seeding for the playoffs is testiment that you didnt want France to go to a random draw and possibly face Portugal.
Posted 04:39 22nd November 2009
Arshpreet Singh (Arsenal fan) says...
Henry is a definate cheat i mean twice handball and still celabrat CHEAT and he scored a handballl in the spanish league check on youtube I respect him for what he did for arsenal i am a arsneal fan but hes no better than a maradona
Posted 18:32 21st November 2009
John G (Arsenal fan) says...
If you want to stop cheating in football just make a decision after the game, if you dived, regardless of the score, your team is deducted 3 points and the player gets a ban and your opposition are awarded 3 points, if you cheat off the ball the same outcome. How long before managers and team mates are having a go at the cheats. Cheating stopped overnight because no one is going to risk it. SIMPLE
Posted 16:32 21st November 2009
John mcateer Summer@home (Manchester United fan) says...
with the events of wed nights game finally beginning to sink in i have a bitter teste in my mouth which i'm sure many will relate to, not only the sight of one of the greatest players the world has ever seen resorting to such acts of blatent cheating to beat a team which really should not have stood a chance and its not even the sheer smuggness inwhich fifa has refused to comment on the seeding of the playoff all to insure france and ronaldo went to south africa ( and be under no illusion that is the only reason the playoffs were seeded). its the fact that for the last 2 season all we have heard is respect, respect, respect but respect should never be giving.... it needs to be earned and when ref's/ linesmen get matters of such importance wrong on such a regular basies then you have to beg the question " why should we repect them?" if i make a mistake in my job i'm warned and then sacked if it keeps happening, althought i agree that cheats such as henry don't make it easy for the ref/linesmen when they have no honour and try and con the ref to gain an unfair advantage in a game but the buck has to stop at the ref and he should be held accountable and the player punished for his actions. but once agin the footballing powers that be are sticking their head in the sand.... henry should be band from the world cup as punishment and the ref should never be incharge of a game again. the FFF have brought shame on themseleves also by not asking for a replay even though i know the match would never be replayed the gesture would have wen't along way to at least insuring the irish people that no pleasure was taken in the victory.
Posted 12:49 21st November 2009
Bill Carroll (Celtic fan) says...
The ref did not see the infraction. He cannot make a call on instinct or feelings. When refs guess at what happened is when they make the most serious mistakes. The game does not wait for tv tape delayed replays and second guessing from the press box. Ireland played well amd my heart was broken when they lost. But they lost. The U-17 world cup game was decided 1-0 when the refs did not see the Swiss goalie carry the ball into the goal. It is all part of the game.
Posted 12:08 21st November 2009
Richard Bright (Ipswich Town fan) says...
As always in this game, the ref´s descision is final. If he declares it a result, then it´s a result. Of course they get it wrong sometimes, they are only human after all. We have seen all before, and will continue to see it. That is the game, the rules, we all live by them and that´s that. I for one do NOT approve of video technology, it would make the game a farce with players and officials consantly appealing every descision. I felt sorry for the Irish team, but did not condem Henry or the French team. I was gutted back in 1986 with Madonna, but accepted the result, that´s the game. Maradonna made up for it by scoring a fantastic second goal. So folks, s*** happens, move on...........
Posted 11:15 21st November 2009
Ovue Grey-areben (Arsenal fan) says...
To say football does not need technology is pure nonsense. The likes of Tennis,rugby,cricket and the rest use technology to their advantage.Do you ever hear of these controversies in other sports that use technology.I can't understand why football authorities think football can do without these and am not even a big fan of having officials on the lines. Football is the biggest sports ever and it need to lead from the front.
Posted 10:26 21st November 2009
Alvin Alvin (Arsenal fan) says...
To Patrick Patrick (Manchester United fan).......you've got some nerve to talk about "cheats". Remember Ronaldo dives, I bet you were not cheering when he scored a penalty or free-kick after he dived. Did you say the game should be replayed, then? Did you ask Arsenal FC for a replay when Rooney dived against us to end that 49 games unbeaten or is that swept under the carpet because he's English. So Rooney IS a cheat. Gerrard has dived, so he IS a cheat. Are you really telling yourself that a handball warrants a ban? Keane handballed twice in the game and got caught, Are you going to ask for him to get banned. Rules are not different whether it's in the penalty area or outside it, a handball is a yellow card. FYI, the game can never be perfect.
Posted 09:01 21st November 2009
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