To UEFA, Where Is The Consistency?

I guess many had read about the news on Eduardo was condemned with 2 Champions League (CL) matches ban. Reports to articles, fans to journalists, claimed that he dived to earn a penalty for his team. The Celtic goalkeeper, Artur Boruc plead for mercy as there was no contact made upon the opposite forward, but the theater of act from Eduardo had gained the upper hand from the referee.

The match ended with Arsenal FC won by 3 goals to 1, which saw them qualified into the Champions League 09/10 with 5-1 on aggregate. As a result, the Scotland's being too unhappy with the outcome, decided to clinch on their feminine side and make Arsenal's life miserable by bombarding all the media that Eduardo should be banned from Champions League.

The UEFA Champions League had a meeting last Monday, and concluded that he will be banned for 2 upcoming Champions League matches in just 50 minutes of discussion, after rejecting their 19-pages defense of the Croatia international. Eventually it lead to a scene and created uproar back in Ashburton Grove and among all its supporters. No doubt Arsene Wenger stressed on fair play many years ago, but the decision by the UEFA CL is indeed injustice and is overwhelmed by emotions rather than being rational and logical.

"I think it is difficult with diving. Sometimes players dive to escape being hit. It's not always necessarily diving because you want to dive. Sometimes it's a way of getting out of the way.

"The borderline between being sensible, being shrewd or being a cheat is very slim so, in some cases, to assess which is which is very difficult.

"Uefa have made the case of Eduardo. If you watch the Super Cup on Friday then they will have to charge (Lionel) Messi for headbutting or they will lose credibility. They have opened something there that over the weekend I'll find you 50 situations where they can intervene, or if they don't Eduardo will be singled out for being a wrong victim. I do not want Messi to be punished but if they go for Eduardo then people will demand it. Pedro, also of Barcelona, dived as well [in the Super Cup] and so I don't think there's any logic to Eduardo's case. We have clear proof that from behind he was touched on his right leg.

"There is no common sense. I believe it was a more emotional decision really because if UEFA had said before the season starts, 'Listen, let's get together and no matter what happens in UEFA games, if we suspect someone of diving he will be punished' then you could say, OK, we've always been told they will do that. But suddenly, out from nowhere because it was an emotional situation in Scotland, we have this situation and have to live with that."

Just to make the matter worst, Eduardo did not appeal for a foul nor a penalty when he dived!

Being an Arsenal fan, i could easily identify that its a dive the moment i watch it from the reverse angle. To me, YES, yes Eduardo should be punished. And im quite disagree with it as i felt things should only remain in the pitch. However, why is it they 'witch-hunt' Eduardo or Arsenal FC? Why this instance? Because the Scottish couldnt dealt with their lost like how man do, but to infect the others?

Arsene Wenger, generally known as The Professor later said, "We have been deeply frustrated by the perfunctory and apparently arbitrary process that UEFA has followed in this instance. We believe it is imperative that UEFA’s explanation for its decision provides clear and comprehensive standards that will be consistently enforced. It is also critical that Uefa provides specific details of the processes it plans to adopt in reviewing all games under its jurisdiction."

Arsenal will have until early next week to lodge an appeal as UEFA rules dictate they have three working days from receipt of the reasoned explanation to form a counter argument but the tone of their statement makes it all but certain the ban will be contested.

If the appeal didnt get through, i believe the UEFA is going to have a busy schedule ahead entertaining all the challenges from football clubs on decision made by the referee that goes against them. If im part of the UEFA governing body, i would rather hire 2 extra linesmen on the sidelines at each of the respective goalpost to provide a better coverage and inject the match with more accurate decision.

As one of the fan commented, "Arsenal should just accept the punishment and then hire an independent body to closely watch all future UEFA, Champions League matches. If any player so much as stumbles without contact then he should be banned for two matches. If not Arsenal should sue UEFA for double standards and take Platini's balls as trophies."

LOL. Well said...

The Arsenal Pledge

New season had started! Arsenal, say like you mean it. Just do it!

Its a little funny after watching The Arsenal Pledge, somehow the pledge came true. It was a vital away win in the first match of the season. Demolishing Everton 6 goals to one, its indeed a good start. Lets just hope the pledge will continue through out the season and earn some trophies... ^^

Midnight Blue

Stylish isnt it? Its the new away jersey for 2009/10. Its called, Midnight Blue. Though it looks a little weird with blue, but still, it looks good. ^^

Captian Fabregas in Midnight Blue

the Russian playmaker, Andrey Arshavin

Eduardo celebrating his superb goal with fellow teammates

the young Theo Walcott

Those images were taken from Arsenal FC website.

With them looking rather confident and amazing in those jerseys, how i hope and pray that Arsenal could lift at least a trophy next season. Decorate their cabinets with a silverware.

I got this weird feeling in my tummy. It feels like i've seen these photos somewhere. Not that i dreamt of these images before, but the figures and silhouette are indeed very familiar. Its like the photos taken from previous winning matches, and with some magics and wonders of Adobe Photoshop to create these photos.

When Snowfall Turns To Disaster

Refering to my dear's blog, United Kingdom is currently under massive snowfall. As reported from the news, "The heaviest snowfall in 18 years brought the nation to a standstill, crippling businesses, transport networks, hospitals and schools - and further hammering the recession-hit economy."

6.4 million workers were forced to stay at home by the insane weather. The roads, streets and tube were closed. Even the world's busiest terminal, Heathrow, was forced to close both its runways for several hours. The problems could get worse with more snow expected overnight and today, and the prospect of temperatures plummeting to -6C making the conditions even more icily treacherous.

dude... where's my car?

lovely plain white country...

For further reading, please go to this news. If we would ever wonder why this is happening, probably one of the many reasons would lead back to us. Global warming. We are the cause, and here is just a part of the consequences.

Despite the disaster that's hitting Britian, suddenly the Emirates Stadium looks much more beautiful when it snow...

the white snow blanketing Ashburton Grove

Emirates Stadium in white

Suddenly im reminded by this Christmas tune...
Oh the weather outside is frightful
But the fire is so delightful
And since we've no place to go
Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow!

Arsenal FC

No Place Like London (Part 2)

Waking up in the morning bright, whats ahead of me is another sight.

Big Ben

London Eye

Westminster

Westminster Abbey

Our next stop was the well known Buckingham Palace in the City of Westminster, which is the official London residence of the British monarch. Located in front of the palace is the Victoria Memorial. Considering many tourists gather around the palace, wont the residence inside be distracted?

Buckingham Palace

The Green Park

Do you know... According to Wikipedia;

For football stadium in Newcastle Upon Tyne, its St James' Park
For football stadium in Exeter, its St James Park
AND for the park in Westminster at central London, its St James's Park

St James's Park, the oldest Royal Parks of London

the lake was frozen due to the extreme cold weather

photo with Sherlock Holmes's statue

Madame Tussauds in London, sadly the queue was too long for me to enter... *sigh*

but still i manage to have a photo with Charlie Chaplin

went to Portobello Market for some window shopping

Last but not least, here comes the Emirates. It's the second stadium of Arsenal FC with the capacity of 60 thousands seats. It was originally known as Ashburton Grove until the Emirates Airline made £100m sponsorship. Would have sounded better with Ashburton Grove. Hmm... should have visited Highbury as well.

finally i've reached Arsenal FC

Thank GOD Van Persie managed to lead Arsenal FC to Cardiff once again after outbeat Plymouth Argyll by 3 goals to one. Afterall the sight and sound, London was quite a nice pleasant place to visit. Uniquely special. Next stop... Bonjour Paris!!!

Arsenal FC: The Beautiful Game

Arsenal... where had it all went wrong? A constant question without definate answer.

Looking back on those years where the non-flying dutchman Bergkamp partnering king Henry threatening the defence. My idol Pires, launching attacks on the left flank and Ljungberg on the right wing menacing the penalty box. With great captaincy of Vieira handling the team responsibility, while lynchpin Gilberto will be holding defence duty on this shoulder. Cole and Lauren charging up front with every opportunity. Solid defending by Campbell and Toure and great hand keeping by Lehmann.

It is almost a perfect combination. Inch perfect passing. Great one-two. Toying the defence. And the next thing you know... its a GOAL!!! Having played mesmerizing and breath-taking football, many agreed that they are one of the best in Europe. Dangerous on counter attacks and their favourite left side of the field. It was these great men dominating EPL and handed professor Wenger with a season unbeaten. They were named, The Invinsible.

The compilation below is one of the prove that many enjoy watching Arsenal.

Arsenal FC: The Beautiful Game

What happened to the Invinsible? Wherever they had gone to, i, Dann, salute them. *respect*

Back to earth... Arsenal, stop showing me shit-ty stuffs. Play at your top gear and fight for the crown!!!

I got myself featured in my friend's blog. Im now floating... *phew* *phew*