A question about an incident in last night's game between United and Liverpool

[Paddy]

When Robertson shouted at Greenwood when he was about to score, it would surely have been a yellow card if he had missed it for unsporting behaviour but would it have been a penalty or indirect free kick?

[Jah Womble]

Depending on what Robertson actually said, I don't think that constitutes an offence at all, does it?

[EIM]

It makes him a pathetic little weasel

[Rogin the Armchair fan]

Welcome to the board, Paddy. What's your favourite biscuit?

[Patrick Thistle]

As Jah said, unless what he said was racist it's very unlikely to merit attention from a ref.

[Sporting]

What if he'd shouted something like "Square it!"?

[hobbes]

It makes him a pathetic little weasel

Oh be fair EIM. Paddy's new here, there's no need to be rude.

[EIM]

Oh be fair EIM. Paddy's new here, there's no need to be rude.

You're right. There'll be plenty of time for that later.

[KyleRoteJr.]

Under the Laws of the Game and FA Rules, it’s a cautionable offense, listed under unsporting behavior, to verbally distract or deceive an opponent. Now whether this is followed in practice in the Premier League and other levels and leagues is another matter.

[Rogin the Armchair fan]

Under the Laws of the Game and FA Rules, it’s a cautionable offense, listed under unsporting behavior, to verbally distract or deceive an opponent. Now whether this is followed in practice in the Premier League and other levels and leagues is another matter.

Would it be punishable by a free kick, though, or would the ref just book the player during the next break in play?

[wingco]

I saw that incident too, and wondered. Is he perchance a bit of a prick, young Robertson?

[diggedy derek]

Interesting, as it would surely be easy for the ref to hear.

When I started playing sunday league, I was told ambiguous shouts like “leave”, “mine” could be penalised, let alone ones done with malice.

[RobW]

Interesting, as it would surely be easy for the ref to hear.

When I started playing sunday league, I was told ambiguous shouts like “leave”, “mine” could be penalised, let alone ones done with malice.

I think Harry Anderson got called up on this or maybe said something to an opponent this season for Lincoln. Can't remember which game I was watching but ref awarded free kick against City for what seemed no discernible reason, so must have been something he said.

[Nocturnal Submission]

I saw that incident too, and wondered. Is he perchance a bit of a prick, young Robertson?

I think he just might be. Personable and articulate in the interview; snide tosser on the pitch.

[Hot Orange]

What if he'd shouted something like "Square it!"?

Yes, I like to think he was giving a Roy of the Rovers-style commentary on proceedings - "My word, you're in a good position here. If you hit it low and hard to the keeper's right, you'll have a great chance of grabbing the equaliser."

[Jah Womble]

I'm no apologist for Robertson at all, but reading this thread you'd think that this kind of thing didn't go on several times during the course of every match ever.

Free kicks for 'sledging' (or whatever this year's expression is)? I mean, seriously?

[Satchmo Distel]

Would Greenwood even have heard him? He's focused on the action.

[Nocturnal Submission]

I'm no apologist for Robertson at all, but reading this thread you'd think that this kind of thing didn't go on several times during the course of every match ever.

Free kicks for 'sledging' (or whatever this year's expression is)? I mean, seriously?

It wasn't sledging, which probably does happen a bit, though I'm not sure it's as common as you suggest. This was trying to put someone off as they were about to take a shot by yelling at them, which I've never seen before on TV or heard at a live game.

Actually the last time I heard it was probably in the school playground.

[The Awesome Berbaslug!!!]

The incident in question would have got you a bollocking from the ref in the tipperary South schoolboys District league in the early 90's. Then again you used to get booked for swearing in frustration if you misplaced a pass, so I don't know if that's a guide for the professional game

[elguapo4]

I didn't see his lips move, so it looked like he was going " aargh" which is unlikely to put anyone off.

[Jah Womble]

It wasn't sledging, which probably does happen a bit, though I'm not sure it's as common as you suggest. This was trying to put someone off as they were about to take a shot by yelling at them, which I've never seen before on TV or heard at a live game.

Actually the last time I heard it was probably in the school playground.

Well, whatever you want to call it. But, you've seriously never seen a player getting in his opponent's ear ahead of a penalty, for example? Well, you have, of course - the question should be 'how often have you seen it punished?'

I'd argue that this is merely a more apparent version of the same thing.

[denishurley]

Interesting, as it would surely be easy for the ref to hear.

When I started playing sunday league, I was told ambiguous shouts like “leave”, “mine” could be penalised, let alone ones done with malice.

This was the same for me at underage and I did wonder if there was any chance of it happening now at professional level with no crowds

[Artificial Hipster]

I didn't see his lips move, so it looked like he was going " aargh" which is unlikely to put anyone off.

I saw Mark Gavin stun a defender while playing on the wing for Rochdale many years ago by shouting "aargh" in his face before skinning him. Whether the ref let it go or didn't see it I don't recall.

[Walt Flanagans Dog]

Actually the last time I heard it was probably in the school playground.

I'm now wondering if any professional players these days shout "ZICO!" as they strike the ball, and/or "ONE NIL!" as it hits the back of the net.

[ad hoc]

I'm now wondering if any professional players these days shout "ZICO!" as they strike the ball, and/or "ONE NIL!" as it hits the back of the net.

I presume there is a new name that they would use for long range efforts, that came from their childhoods 15 years ish back. Just as my generation should Lorimer! (or Jonny Rep!) always with rising intonation, and then ther was the Zico generation you obviously belong to. Who was whacking goals in from distance around 2005?