but as always the Law doesn't really say what they probably wanted it to say - the Law doesn't actually penalise exageration
[LAWS]10.4 (d) A player must not commit any act that may lead the match officials to consider that that player was subject to foul play or any other type of infringement committed by an opponent.
Sanction: Penalty kick[/LAWS]
but of course in this case he WAS subject to an act of foul play - and RC given for it.
Yes he made a meal of it, but he didn't make up an imaginary offence
(I think this Law was very poorly worded!)
consider different from
believe
As such, the law covers faking, exaggerating and even the "Ref, he's not rolling away on purpose" when it's absolutely true.
And I agree with you: that law is horribly worded (what's new).
You can always use 10.4(m). In fact, I think the law you've quoted is somewhat superfluous.
Exactly!
And so could you before that new, confusing (and rather useless) law was introduced.
either way - I think that once you RC a player for striking an opponent in the head, it's hard to then penalise the victim for grossly over-reacting.
Or, if you do, you are rather undermining the validity of the RC
I disagree with that.
Giving two RC for: "a punch in the face by Red followed by a retaliating punch in the face by Blue" does not undermine the first punch, does it?
IMO it's actually the exact opposite:
if you do not deal with the exaggeration, everyone believe you got influenced by the dive.
If you deal with it, everyone knows you made your now decision. Twice. One for each incident:
Punch/slap in the face --> RC, YC, contextual decision or guided by Union directives...
Soccerish Behaviours --> RC, YC, PK, a word...
Honestly, if in that situation, the ref doesn't even have a word with Pape, I reckon he missed something.
A gutsy call would be to issue the RC and reverse the penalty!
Gutsy, but I believe it would be the perfect decision.
At the end of the day, a punch has no place in our game, but it has always happen and it will always happen: particularly as a reaction to something.
We will deal with it when it happens.
What we need to eradicate from the game (IMHO) is the intentional c**p that creeps at all levels.
Being that unsolicited slap (Black 12 confesses it to the ref on the video) or someone faking or exaggerating as if he/she was playing for an Italian soccer team...
I hope at least Paper got a proper fine at the after game dinner!
Cheers,
Pierre.