Walter Smith - Lafferty incident

[Maxriddles]

I actually meant to post this yesterday when it happened. I think Walter Smith should get some credit for his handling of the Kyle Lafferty incident in Saturday's game against Aberdeen. Lafferty's actions were quickly condemned by his manager and he was promptly fined as well as making a public apology. Lafferty is paying the price for his actions and will continue to do so as refs will remember his antics whenever there's a 50/50 call to be made. The SFA too will undoubtedly punish Lafferty for his actions at the next disciplinary hearing and quite right too. He embarrassed himself and the club.

Walter Smith hasn't had his troubles to seek with players following the antics of Ferguson and McGregor on Scotland duty, but again he took swift and decisive action dropping two key players for their behaviour despite trying to catch Celtic in the title race.

If Rangers beat Dundee United on Sunday to clinch the title it will be no more than Smith deserves. I know a lot of Rangers fans have been very critical of him this season and there are times where a more positive approach would be very welcome but maybe more need to remember the mess the club was in when he took over.   

[boldie]

yeah he dealt with all that pretty well.

Lafferty should get a 12 game ban IMO. everybody who feigns it like that should be sidelined for months..that will stop it. It's blatant cheating and I reckon taints a Rangers championship somewhat.

[Rooky9]

So many different angles on this.

Firstly, the lad (I think I'm getting to the point of being bale to use that) has made himself look like an absolute plank and that will follow him for years. I have no idea if he is any good, but he'll have to be some player to ever produce football to overshadow that.

Secondly, the referee should be banned too. No excuses for not seeing that for what it was. Linesman was right on the scene too. Eye tests all round. You could see from the reaction of the 'insert unknow scotish outfit here' players that they had all seen what had happened.

Thirdly, can we seriously be thinking that even having been such an idiot he should be banned for 12 games etc?!! 3 max. U can virtually end a career for only 3 matches. I'd really quite like to see banning for proper simulation, but it has to fit with the other punishments.

Perhaps as punishment this lad should have to train for two weeks with joey Barton.

[henrik777]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/scotland/8055707.stm

Stuart Dougal was due to retire and has pulled out of this weekends games for personal reasons.

Sandy

[Rooky9]

Bank account transactions to be analysed?!

[Boba Fett]

How can you justify a ban here ever?  12 games is a total farce!  How is it any different from taking a dive in or around the box for a penalty/free kick.  If players get caught diving by the ref they get booked, why should this be any different?  Upgrade him to a yellow card, add it to his disciplinary, as someone has said already, itll still follow him around as he isnt gonna get any 50/50 decisions for a while.

Personally I liked it, in a period where players from both sides have been talking the teams up in the papers, a lot of the Rangers squad dont like as interested as others.  Good to know at least someone is willing to do what it takes to win.  If you're not cheating you're not trying!

[boldie]

How can you justify a ban here ever?  12 games is a total farce!  How is it any different from taking a dive in or around the box for a penalty/free kick.  If players get caught diving by the ref they get booked, why should this be any different?  Upgrade him to a yellow card, add it to his disciplinary, as someone has said already, itll still follow him around as he isnt gonna get any 50/50 decisions for a while.

Personally I liked it, in a period where players from both sides have been talking the teams up in the papers, a lot of the Rangers squad dont like as interested as others.  Good to know at least someone is willing to do what it takes to win.  If you're not cheating you're not trying!

lol

All this faking it will only be stomped out by video evidence and harsh bans...that's what they deserve.

[Rooky9]

LOL, I really don't want to live in a world where 'if you aren't cheating you aren't trying' fits, let alone encourage people representing my football team to do it!

[Somerled]

LOL, I really don't want to live in a world where 'if you aren't cheating you aren't trying' fits, let alone encourage people representing my football team to do it!

Couldn't agree more. The lad's made a total arse of himself. Look at Rivaldo, he was the best player on the planet for a few years and what do I most remember him for? Falling over like a total fanny. Just sad, if winning is ALL that matters you're no longer a sportsman imo.

But yes, Walter Smith & Rangers have handled the whole thing very very well.

[fatshaft]

So many different angles on this.

Firstly, the lad (I think I'm getting to the point of being bale to use that) has made himself look like an absolute plank and that will follow him for years. I have no idea if he is any good, but he'll have to be some player to ever produce football to overshadow that.

Secondly, the referee should be banned too. No excuses for not seeing that for what it was. Linesman was right on the scene too. Eye tests all round. You could see from the reaction of the 'insert unknow scotish outfit here' players that they had all seen what had happened.

Thirdly, can we seriously be thinking that even having been such an idiot he should be banned for 12 games etc?!! 3 max. U can virtually end a career for only 3 matches. I'd really quite like to see banning for proper simulation, but it has to fit with the other punishments.

Perhaps as punishment this lad should have to train for two weeks with joey Barton.

Any need for that? Unknown? Grow up.

[TheChipPrince]

'The Lafferty incident' - Sounds like some Area 51 cover up!   

[Matt50]

yeah he dealt with all that pretty well.

Lafferty should get a 12 game ban IMO. everybody who feigns it like that should be sidelined for months..that will stop it. It's blatant cheating and I reckon taints a Rangers championship somewhat.

Drogba would only play 3 league games a season if that was the case!!!

[fatshaft]

Unbelievable, Mulgrew gets downgraded to a yellow. Sent off for violent conduct which wasn't the case, so how can he get a yellow? Boughera equally bafflingly gets his down to a yellow?

Seems Rangers players assualting Dons keepers is just seen as acceptable now, there's certainly enough precedent!
http://www.scottishfa.co.uk/scottish_fa_news.cfm?page=279&newsID=4661

Madjid Bougherra of Rangers and Charlie Mulgrew of Aberdeen have had the red cards they received during last weekend's match between the two clubs reduced to yellow, following a meeting of the Review Panel this morning.

 

The Review Panel also decided that the incidents involving Scott McDonald of Celtic during the match against Dundee United and Glenn Loovens of Celtic during the match against Rangers should be referred to the next meeting of the Scottish FA Disciplinary Committee.

 

The Review Panel also considered the alleged act of simulation by Kyle Lafferty of Rangers during the match against Aberdeen. They have decided that the matter should also be referred to the Scottish FA Disciplinary Committee.

 

The Disciplinary Committee is scheduled to meet before the start of next season.

[cambo]

Unbelievable, Mulgrew gets downgraded to a yellow. Sent off for violent conduct which wasn't the case, so how can he get a yellow? Boughera equally bafflingly gets his down to a yellow?

Seems Rangers players assualting Dons keepers is just seen as acceptable now, there's certainly enough precedent!
http://www.scottishfa.co.uk/scottish_fa_news.cfm?page=279&newsID=4661

Madjid Bougherra of Rangers and Charlie Mulgrew of Aberdeen have had the red cards they received during last weekend's match between the two clubs reduced to yellow, following a meeting of the Review Panel this morning.


come on mate there wasnt any intent from bougherra in that challenge, also u have a bit of a cheek talking about players getting" assualted" remember neil simpson?
 

The Review Panel also decided that the incidents involving Scott McDonald of Celtic during the match against Dundee United and Glenn Loovens of Celtic during the match against Rangers should be referred to the next meeting of the Scottish FA Disciplinary Committee.

 

The Review Panel also considered the alleged act of simulation by Kyle Lafferty of Rangers during the match against Aberdeen. They have decided that the matter should also be referred to the Scottish FA Disciplinary Committee.

 

The Disciplinary Committee is scheduled to meet before the start of next season.

[cambo]

hmm dunno how my reply ended up in the middle of that