If he did say it 10 times as alleged, it's likely he thought it was acceptable or he wouldn't have risked it. If you commit a crime, you don't do it ten times to escape detection do you?

Interested to hear how you intend to curb complaints in future? You can't accuse people in public of something you can't substantiate. Heard of a term called "defamation"? Managers get punished for accusing refs of being biased so why can't players be punished for calling another racist, gay or ugly?

---

Added on November 17, 2011, 7:27 pmOn this issue of respect, I do admit I respect some Manc supporters I know. Is this a sign of weakness or maturity? You don't have to like someone to respect someone. I respect Scholes but I have no love for him. I believe that only small minds think the two cannot be mutually exclusive. "you are my enemy and therefore I must hate everything about you even if I don't know you". Yeah sure mate, grow up.

This post has been edited by Duke Red: Nov 17 2011, 07:27 PM

I don't listen much to what Blatter has to say. I'm sure there is racism in football and it's going to be tough for FA's to clamp down on it. If it doesn't happen between players which clubs have some degree of control over, it will come from fans. That being said with the influx of foreign players from all over the world, racism is going to be even tougher to control considering the huge mix of different cultures. I think the rule should be clear then. No reference to a player's ethnicity whatsoever. There has to be some consistency.

Having said that there is also a need to practice some tolerance no? Take our country as an example. These days we are just so damn polarized. It's clear that the powers that be intend to keep the races separate despite our slogan promoting solidarity with all those corny ads. Back in the day we thought nothing about being called, "ah pek", or whatever by our mates. We made racist jokes and all had a laugh after. I guess one of the bad things of globalization is that cultures clash now and everyone is increasingly sensitive when it comes to identity, culture and race.

No arguments here. Me talking about how polarised us Malaysians are now and needing to lighten up was in response to someone's comment on our government sweeping racial issues under the rug. Just to add, I don't think they are being swept under the rug. In fact I think they are playing a big part in stirring racial sentiment.

If Suarez is punished, it will be unfortunate for us as he's been the 1 bright spark for us so far this season but what needs to be done, should be done. Doesn't matter that the term is widely accepted where he comes from because "when in Rome, do as Romans do". All I ask is the FA be consistent with charging players and meeting out punishment.



More importantly, I hope people speaking out against racism, asking for players to be prosecuted aren't hypocrites and racist themselves. One example is Yossi Benayoun being booed by a section of fans in Bukit Jalil for being Jewish. If Terry is convicted, I wonder how these fans would react? Similarly, I wonder what they think of Suarez's incident?

Yup which is why I said a section of fans. If everyone of a specific race or origin was held accountable for what their forefathers did, we wouldn't be eating Japanese food.

As for foul language I personally think nothing much of it. I swear a lot especially when playing a sport but more so out of frustration. If the FA deem it's an offense because it is hostile in nature then does it mean I can get away with saying, " I'll kill you!" ? I didnt swear. Have we heard of any player being hauled up for threatening another on the pitch? This is worse than saying, "f*** off", to the ref or another player IMO. Yes I understand the need for discipline but not to the extent all emotion is removed from the sport.

As for racist words, there must be zero tolerance because it's personal. Question is, did the offender mean it maliciously when he said it? We'll never really know but that's why courts have juries and the FA has officials eh?

I read that yesterday. The only reason I didn't copy the link is because he doesn't actually state the real reasons, just says we don't know what they are.

What a way to cap off a thoroughly exhausting weekend for me. Made my way up to Penang for the marathon on Saturday morning and stayed awake for 32 straight hours before driving back down to KL and getting 2 hrs of sleep before the big game. Sleep is for the weak. Gratefully, the energetic performance from the lads was contagious and I felt no signs of fatigue. The win was a perfect way to cap off an exhilarating but energy sapping weekend.

As usual I'll summarise my thoughts in point form.

a) We played with a lot of energy and pressed Chelsea whenever they were on the ball. It's the reason we managed to win the ball off them so many times. Each time one of our lads pressed, another would come to provide support making it difficult for them to keep the ball. Chelsea switched formation in the 2nd half with the introduction of Sturridge and I was wondering why it was taking us so long to change ours as we were being pressed back. Made a whole lot of sense to me introducing Hendo in place of Bellamy was we needed more bodies in the middle.

b) Skrtel was in good form. It says something that Drogba's best effort came from a free kick.

c) Lucas was both tireless and fearless in closing down the opposition and going in for challenges.

d) Kuyt covered well for Johnson whenever the latter went on one of his rampaging runs down the flank. Did someone say it's the first time he's seen the attacking side of Glenn Johnson? Err Johnson is all about attacking and I find this comment a little surprising.In fact I've seen more positive attacking performances from him than defensive ones. Good composed from him nonetheless. Good that he got a goal against his former employers when two other blokes couldn't.

e) If you closed your eyes you'd think we were playing at Anfield. All I heard the whole game was chants of, "Dalglish", and numerous renditions of "Fields of Anfield Road", and "Champione", even just after Chelsea had equalized. Yea yea we always talk about our fans but just like people talk about their best players, we talk about our best performers and the away fans were if you ask me, once again contenders for the MOM award. To the 12 Man!

This post has been edited by Duke Red: Nov 21 2011, 10:22 AM