Last night's Spain/Paraguay match certainly highlighted some inconsistencies in the application of the rules.
When Pique yanked Cordozo to the floor, Lawrenson exclaimed "What on earth made him think he could get away with doing that?!"
Well, der... defenders have been getting away with it for the whole tournament. Apart from a cursory warning before the first corner of the match, defenders have been allowed to tug, tag, tussle and tw*t the attacking players inside the box without fear of sanction. Why?
Also, why make the Alonso penalty be retaken for encroachment when there was far more encroachment at the Cardozo penalty?
And, while we're at it, How on earth did the linesman not see the keeper bringing Fabregas down immediately after Alonso's second penalty? He was only 4 yds away for God's sake!!
When Pique yanked Cordozo to the floor, Lawrenson exclaimed "What on earth made him think he could get away with doing that?!"
Well, der... defenders have been getting away with it for the whole tournament. Apart from a cursory warning before the first corner of the match, defenders have been allowed to tug, tag, tussle and tw*t the attacking players inside the box without fear of sanction. Why?
Also, why make the Alonso penalty be retaken for encroachment when there was far more encroachment at the Cardozo penalty?
And, while we're at it, How on earth did the linesman not see the keeper bringing Fabregas down immediately after Alonso's second penalty? He was only 4 yds away for God's sake!!