Double standards from our friendly coppers.
Gary Neville was yesterday fined by the FA for his celebration against Liverpool at Old Trafford. The matter was only an issue because of GMP sending the FA a letter complaining, but where were their gripes when Arsenal’s players were acting up on the pitch in 2003, which directly contributed to disorder outside?
GMP GET NEVILLE FINED
By Editor
Updated Wednesday, 22nd February 2006
From the Mirror:
Gary Neville made a fierce attack on the FA yesterday after being fined £5,000 and warned about his future conduct following his fist-pumping goal celebration against Liverpool.
The Manchester United defender denied a charge of improper conduct when United snatched a 90th-minute winner in last month's Premiership clash at Old Trafford. But the FA's disciplinary panel rejected Neville's defence, given via a video link to Soho Square, and found him guilty.
"I am extremely disappointed. I believe it to be a poor decision, not only for me but for all footballers. Being a robot devoid of passion and spirit is obviously the way forward for the modern footballer.
"I did not punch anyone or slag them off. I just celebrated something spontaneously and passionately. Obscene gestures are obviously wrong, and I can see why the authorities don't want players rushing into the crowd. But I was still 50 yards away from the Liverpool supporters.
"And I don't buy into the argument for one minute that I should be held responsible for any trouble outside the stadium. There's no excuse for fans whacking each other after the game. It certainly has nothing to do with me.
"I ask the authorities ‘Where is football being taken?’ Increasingly, people seem to want their footballers whiter than white and there are calls for sanctions over every little incident. Do they want a game of robots?
"You are caught up in the moment and, yes, for a few seconds you can go bananas. No disrespect to Liverpool was intended. I’d have been apologetic had I run up to one of their players and tried to belittle them. But this was a celebration."
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Previously
| 22 Feb 2006 |
|---|
| THE THREE GIMPS SET TO LORD IT UP IN CARDIFF |
| BALSA WOOD BLOKE SPEAKS |
| NEWS ROUND-UP |
| RANGERS PREPARE TO FAIL |
| WEMBLEY FARCE |
| 21 Feb 2006 |
| THE MIDAS TOUCH IN REVERSE |
| SOUTH AFRICA |
