James McCarthy M free agent b.1990

**shakermaker1982** · 27/02/2011, 12:11 PM

I have to say it was a disgusting thing Rooney did and fair play to McCarthy for not rolling around. I hope McCarthy was waiting for that coward in the tunnel at HT. See how much of a big man he is when he's face to face.

**Drumcondra 69er** · 27/02/2011, 1:07 PM

Zero chance Rooney will get done for that elbow, different rules apply for Man U, refs and authorities in England are totally intimidated by Ferguson.

**Charlie Darwin** · 27/02/2011, 1:13 PM

The rules as they stand say he can't be done for it. It would only be "different rules apply" if he was sanctioned like Thatcher was.

**Drumcondra 69er** · 27/02/2011, 10:27 PM

Originally Posted by Charlie Darwin

The rules as they stand say he can't be done for it. It would only be "different rules apply" if he was sanctioned like Thatcher was.

Jermaine Beckford got booked playing for Leeds a couple of year ago for elbowing David Forde and then got a subsequent 3 match ban despite the foul being called at the time. Ref then changed his story and claimed he didn't see the elbow after studying video evidence. No difference in the Rooney situation other then the fact he plays for Man U.

http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/matc...icle40393.html

http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news...icle32369.html

**Charlie Darwin** · 28/02/2011, 4:55 AM

Right but one example doesn't make a rule.

**tetsujin1979** · 28/02/2011, 9:09 AM

Originally Posted by Charlie Darwin

Right but one example doesn't make a rule.

no, it makes a precedent

**cornflakes** · 28/02/2011, 9:25 AM

What is everyone talking about?
Rooney didn't do anything wrong, its fairly obvious McCarthy head-butted his arm
English players play hard but fair, lion hearts the lot of em

**shakermaker1982** · 28/02/2011, 9:41 AM

Originally Posted by Drumcondra 69er

Zero chance Rooney will get done for that elbow, different rules apply for Man U, refs and authorities in England are totally intimidated by Ferguson.

What like Evra getting a 4 game ban after getting attacked by the Chelsea sprinkler man?

Gary Neville kissing the Utd badge in front of Liverpool fans? Fined. Fowler gets off scott free for acting the clown in front of Utd supporters.

Scholes & Rooney get sent off in Friendly games during pre season (2006) and their bans are extended to start of PL season. Gerrard and Mellor = The FA let them off.

Ferdinand got a 4 game ban for elbowing a Hull player a few seasons back.

**tetsujin1979** · 28/02/2011, 9:56 AM

just like Gary Neville at Stoke and West Brom, Wes Brown and Nemanja Vidic at Aston Villa, and Rafael at Blackpool.

**shakermaker1982** · 28/02/2011, 10:12 AM

Originally Posted by tetsujin1979

just like Gary Neville at Stoke and West Brom, Wes Brown and Nemanja Vidic at Aston Villa, and Rafael at Blackpool.

Decisions go for and against every team. To say different rules apply to Man Utd is wrong.

Rooney should have been sent off and the FA should ban him.

**paul_oshea** · 28/02/2011, 10:43 AM

I read this morning it all comes down to the ref writing "i saw it all at the time".if he doesn't write that or doesn't write anything other than a yellow card then he can be done.

**Charlie Darwin** · 28/02/2011, 11:39 AM

Originally Posted by tetsujin1979

no, it makes a precedent

Well it was never in doubt that the FA could charge him. They just hide behind the "referee's decision is final" defence out of some misguided belief that a slippery slope would ensue otherwise. The point is that this happens dozens of times every season - usually dangerous tackles that were given yellows instead of reds, though Gerrard's elbow at Sunderland is a direct precedent - and the FA is happy to let it go provided nobody complains too loud.

In any case, it's now looking very likely that Rooney will be singled out for special treatment an charged precisely because he is a Manchester United player and there is huge pressure being put on the FA because of it. Ferguson's moronic comments probably contributed.

**Charlie Darwin** · 28/02/2011, 12:06 PM

OK nevermind, he got off. Ridiculous decision.

**geysir** · 28/02/2011, 1:03 PM

I didn't see it as a deliberate elbow. No doubt that McCarthy verged over into Rooney's path so Rooney could have had no intention to do McCarthy.
Not at all similar to a wound up Roy when he elbowed McAteer.

Much ado over small incidents as usual with things in the epl.

**Stuttgart88** · 28/02/2011, 1:43 PM

Don't agree. He could easily have just shoulder barged him. Instead he struck out with his elbow in what was a very deliberate move, albeit spontaneous.

**geysir** · 28/02/2011, 2:44 PM

Recent studies conclude that spontaneous and deliberate don't mix.
Either/or, my learned friend.
The ref saw it clear enough and didn't he give a free out?

Not enough in it for any retrospective action, imo.

**paul_oshea** · 28/02/2011, 2:49 PM

So the refs always get it right and can't be questioned?

Imho he knew exactly where is elbow was,where it was going and more importantly where Mccarthy was.

**Stuttgart88** · 28/02/2011, 2:50 PM

By spontaneous I mean he gave it little thought but made the decision very quickly. A bit like stamping on the Portuguese guy's goolies in Germany. Premeditated for some time, no? Deliberate, yes. The actions of a thug? Yes.

An England star shoots a guy and another elbows a guy, both escape disciplining. Yet Ryan Babel gets a fine for Tweeting!

**Charlie Darwin** · 28/02/2011, 2:57 PM

Rooney has always had that element of nastiness in his game. McCarthy obviously tried to block him but Rooney's reaction was completely disproportionate. Much like Seamus Coleman, he seems to have an awful lot of luck on his side.

**Noelys Guitar** · 28/02/2011, 3:00 PM

Should have been a straight Red card and the ref clearly saw what happened and bottled it. Gerrard's blatant dive yesterday looking for a peno and no yellow card. Warren Barton (to his credit) had a right go at the two commentators covering the United match for playing down the incident or choosing to ignore it.