So Bill lets have a close look at what you are saying here, this coming from a guy who sticks up for law and order, guns and death penalty.
We have a man, Clattenberg, who was in charge of the game, on that we are all agreed, it was not the linemen, not the fourth official but Clattenberg. If he had shot say Alan Stubbs, again we are all agreed that he would have to stand trial for murder. A little bit strong maybe but stick with it.
Clattenberg made a series of incomprehensible decisions, not just from my biased perspective but also that of 99% of the media, he even offered to shake the hand of the opposing skipper when he was substituted, not an offence in itself but an obvious indication of favouritism as no such gesture was offred to an Everton player. The final whistle blows and stories emerge about this same official having spent 7 days living and training with Liverpool, he had been given gifts by those same players, remember they are all millionaires and he is a mere official. If this game of ours is to survive then any charge of corruption has to be answered, any mere whiff of FA officials being compromised must be looked at vigorously and not swept under the carpet.
If you charge a man with murder because he is the suspect you don't change that charge to a mere parking offence, stupidity indeed. If a man is suspected in any way of corruption then he is suspended whilst a full and proper investigation is carried out not merely suspended for a month and told don't do it again.
It seems to me that you are saying the petition should read 'will the good old FA please give Mr Clattenberg a smack on the wrist' because in doing so you permit other similar cases to do unpunished. Clattenberg has been a very good official, I said so myself before the game kicked off, don't you think that really does make it more remarkable in these circumstances that he was so bad. Your yellow card analogy is astonishing, this man is not a player, obviously he is the man who controls and influences the events of the game, supposedly in an impartial manner, if he didn't carry out that task through corruption then the charge is most appropriate. (Please note Bill the salient word CHARGED, not found guilty of as you suggest) Incidentally the very fact that the FA have already said that David Moyes will not face any charges of bring the game into disrepute dispite his allegations of corruption says it all, that petition is the correct and only refuge we blues have. Please tell me aside from your suggested one month slap on the wrist what positive action have you taken other than to try and throw a wet blanket on a proactive petition?
Chico, please don't hide behind Bill, you have said all along that the FA won't do anything so I won't either, as Mick says 21 seconds.
