Banned Lita blasts FA policy on cheating

• ghimpheng

  16 Apr 07, 20:30

  Leroy Lita is furious with the Football Association for his three-match ban and believes they are failing to address the problem of cheating.
  
  The Reading striker, 22, was accused of headbutting Talal El Karkouri but claims the Charlton defender was feigning injury in last week's Premiership clash at The Valley.
  
  'The incident against Charlton was embarrassing, you don't need that in the game,' said Lita.
  
  'I didn't touch him, he went down like an idiot and it was cheating.
  
  'I would love to see them (the FA) do something about diving cheats. We have got a good disciplinary record at Reading, but that wasn't taken into consideration.'
  
  Royals boss Steve Coppell expressed his surprise at the FA's decision against his striker.
  
  Lita is hoping to play a part in the European Championships for England Under-21s in June but will only have matches against Watford and Blackburn as preparation.
  
  Kevin Doyle stepped in for Lita against Fulham on Saturday and set up Stephen Hunt's first-half winner.
  
  Lita added: 'I've only got two games at the end of the season now because of the ban.
  
  'I spoke to Steve Coppell about it and he said the decision was pathetic.'
• SumOne

  17 Apr 07, 01:15

  Whatever the case, a head butt will get you into disciplinary trouble. Even if it was reaction or retaliation. We don't have to agree with whether it's a good rule or not, but it is the rule. Besides, it is a headbut, intention is there. Makes you wonder why that Thai player wasn't sent off in the ASEAN Cup Final played in Thailand.
• stellazio

  17 Apr 07, 01:19

  yea vieira was sent off for the intention to kick out at RVN a few seasons ago.
• SumOne

  17 Apr 07, 01:27

  Originally posted by stellazio:

  yea vieira was sent off for the intention to kick out at RVN a few seasons ago.

  Yep, I remember that one. There was no real contact but the ref saw it as intention still. But there was no doubt in the recent Man U match vs Liverpool, Scholes actually swung his arm just like how you would aim a punch. Schole's incident is another textbook example.
• iveco

  17 Apr 07, 19:43

  Originally posted by SumOne:

  Yep, I remember that one. There was no real contact but the ref saw it as intention still. But there was no doubt in the recent Man U match vs Liverpool, Scholes actually swung his arm just like how you would aim a punch. Schole's incident is another textbook example.

  Still, RVN made a meal out of it. Even the studio guests felt that way.
• Saltiga

  17 Apr 07, 21:29

  the intention in itself has already warrant a red card.
• SumOne

  17 Apr 07, 22:35

  Originally posted by iveco:

  Still, RVN made a meal out of it. Even the studio guests felt that way.

  I think anyone would make a meal of it, even RVN.
• iveco

  17 Apr 07, 23:58

  Originally posted by SumOne:

  I think anyone would make a meal of it, even RVN.

  IIRC, Steve Darby of Home United commented that RVN ought to have been sent off too.
• allentyb

  18 Apr 07, 00:00

  BLAH BLAH BLAH
• BrUtUs

  18 Apr 07, 21:28

  Originally posted by SumOne:

  I think anyone would make a meal of it, even RVN.

  players who play act should get the red as well...
• SumOne

  18 Apr 07, 21:55

  Originally posted by BrUtUs:

  players who play act should get the red as well...

  Perhaps, but unless the rules change... I don't think that's gonna be happening anytime soon. At most a yellow, just like diving.