Fonte pen - hand-ball or GBH?

[Saint Fan CaM]

When I saw the pen decision I thought it was somewhat harsh as the ball went to Fonte's arm and he couldn't have known much about it. However, when I checked out the replay vids I was astonished to see Fonte grab Carroll's ponytail and pull him down to the ground with it. Almost took his head off with the force! The Ref had an excellent view of the offence - I think Fonte is lucky not to have been sent off - and it was most definately a pen!

Anyone else see that? Nigel needs to read the damned riot act to his defenders frankly - no excuse for L1/L2 style defending in the Prem when they're picking up the wages of a superstar IMO.

[Window Cleaner]

When I saw the pen decision I thought it was somewhat harsh as the ball went to Fonte's arm and he couldn't have known much about it. However, when I checked out the replay vids I was astonished to see Fonte grab Carroll's ponytail and pull him down to the ground with it. Almost took his head off with the force! The Ref had an excellent view of the offence - I think Fonte is lucky not to have been sent off - and it was most definately a pen!

Anyone else see that? Nigel needs to read the damned riot act to his defenders frankly - no excuse for L1/L2 style defending in the Prem when they're picking up the wages of a superstar IMO.

Said a lot of times last season and the one before that Fonte needs to cut out the quasi permanent all in wrestling. He's always
shirt pulling, stranglegolding and bear-hugging.

[Whitey Grandad]

Not deliberate in my opinion. Jose simply got his fingers caught up in the lady-boy's pony tail, a danger not only to the player himself but any opposition player who comes into contact with him. The referee should have ordered him to shave it off. ;-)

[derry]

Neither, Fonte was pushed before jumping. A blatant two handed push that should have been penalised by the referee/linesman.

[jimmysaint7]

Neither, Fonte was pushed before jumping. A blatant two handed push that should have been penalised by the referee/linesman.

Coupled with the fact it was never a free kick in the first place

[Saint Fan CaM]

Not deliberate in my opinion. Jose simply got his fingers caught up in the lady-boy's pony tail, a danger not only to the player himself but any opposition player who comes into contact with him. The referee should have ordered him to shave it off. ;-)

A good point, well made to be fair.

[sadoldgit]

They said it was for yanking his pony tail on the radio and that is what I saw on TV. Didnt notice the hand ball.

[SuperMikey]

Neither, Fonte was pushed before jumping. A blatant two handed push that should have been penalised by the referee/linesman.

Coupled with the fact it was never a free kick in the first place

Agree on both counts. Fonte was pushed but then did commit GBH on Carroll, although play should have been stopped before. Incredibly soft free kick too, Carroll was falling over every time he even saw a player in a yellow shirt...