BANNED: Why Charlie Adam Punishment Sets The Standards

Stoke midfielder Charlie Adam has been banned for three games this week by the FA after they rejected an appeal for violent conduct. It comes after an apparent stamp on Arsenal forward Olivier Giroud.

Adam was not directly looking at Giroud, but there was contact made by the Scotland international. For me, a ban is harsh. Adam's momentum took him towards Giroud, who was on the floor, meaning avoiding contact was very difficult.

I fully understand The FA's stance on the issue, but surely they have now set the standard for similar incidents? Violent conduct is a red card offence, but I find it hard to see what part of Adam's actions were violent. 

Football is a contact sport, therefore, there are going to be collisions between players and some will be unavoidable, just like the Adam incident. If Giroud was standing, there would be more of a case for a 3 match ban, because Adam would have to direct his leg towards Giroud. 

Similar incidents now have to be treated the same as this, otherwise the famous word "inconsistency" will be heard throughout the Premier League once again. 

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Comments

[iwasthere]

Not sure if you are a Stoke fan or not, but before judging whether 'contact was difficult to avoid" ask yourself what you think Adam's reaction would have been if that was a Stoke player on the floor. Don't you think he would have taken all steps possible to avoid landing feet first on his team-mates leg?

[Paulb]

Nasty player with a history of nasty cowardly tackles, so three games is a let off

[Søren Frey]

The ban is too lenient. Of course he knew what he was doing. Ask any professional. If you are about to step on something that is unlike what you expect, your leg will give. He left it in the with full weight ON PURPOSE. Snidey cowardly player

[Capt Sensible]

Anyone who has played football on a regular basis even at fairly moderate levels knows where an opponents leg is!

[Iwasalsothere]

Typical arseholel fans... You also reckon Liverpool owners instructed Agger to injure Jack Wilshere, to hinder their premier league title challenge. How about you stick with the ENGLISH game of football and stop trying to be Barcelona. 100 RED CARDS WENGER DIDNT SEE THAT!

[Sambo]

Very stupid article. This is the reason why the English cannot win world cup or any major tournnament fo thst matter. So schooled in their old ways of bone-crushing football. the game has moved on and the Briton is left behind. I'm so surprised you saw nothing wrong in that deliberate stamp. The FA seems to be light years ahead of the English football fans and pundits

[LiviB]

If you don't expect a leg you fall over. this was deliberate and anyone who has played knows. He actually tried to do it in the same game and missed. English football needs to move on. while refs turn a blind eye to this stuff we will always be playing a slightly different game. Come europe or international we suffer cause international refereeing is different...even with uk refs. May the best football win!

[jjj]

charlie who?