Lev Bronstein wrote:A key point is going to be whether the ref saw it or not. As the ball was still close to the incident Webb must have seen it - unless he's going to admit that his attention was elsewhere, it's not as though it happened behind his back. He let play continue, so it follows he thought nothing of it. Webb only stopped the game when it was clear Parker had a head injury. Something that wasn't immediately apparant on his first view of the incident.
I'm not so sure. Remember the Adebayor one from a few seasons back?
He was in the air (because the defender cut out his legs) and his legs were moving as he was coming down. Caught the player in the head as he was in midair. Ref saw the whole thing and ruled play on on the field.
In any case, they went back and looked at it and gave the red retrospectively. He was in the air! How can you control where you are coming down?
Yes, Balo was off balance. But it did look like a stamp. And he gets no leeway from his previous rep. So, yes, this will be a witchhunt. His name isn't Rooney or Gerrard so he is guilty until proven innocent. If they really are out to get us, there is no way he walks.
If it was a stomp (not 100% sure, but enough there to question) then it was just really stupid. As was the Lescott elbow. I'll gladly take 3 games for Mario if they don't do anything with Lescott. Just our luck they'll let Balo go but ping Lescott for 3 when we can't afford to lose anymore defenders.
