Free Ryan Babel

[Reece]

I don't see what the big deal is myself.
He can post what he likes on Twitter it doesn't change much...

Typical football news storm in teacup scenario.

He can't really, not if it's libellous (not saying it is in this instance). Whilst I kind of like the fact that he has done it, it was pretty foolish really.

The thing that bugs me though for example, is that the FA have announced they will investigate it, yet unless I've missed it they've said absolutely nothing about Diouf's disgraceful behaviour at the weekend. And really, which of the two is worse?

[malg]

It make me laugh that Webb can take the piss in front of millions of viewers and gets away with it yet when Babel does it, people get offended. **** em all.

[Buzzo]

He can't really, not if it's libellous (not saying it is in this instance). Whilst I kind of like the fact that he has done it, it was pretty foolish really.

The thing that bugs me though for example, is that the FA have announced they will investigate it, yet unless I've missed it they've said absolutely nothing about Diouf's disgraceful behaviour at the weekend. And really, which of the two is worse?

I suppose my saying that he can post what he wants may be a tad too liberal..!

But in this instance I am not sure I see it as being too big a deal. It strikes me as another occasion where the melodrama and self importance of football will be its own undoing. If they have a problem with Babel's twittering then punishing him will only draw attention to his actions and make an innocuous internet post into a far bigger issue...

...maybe that is a good thing in terms of exposing Howard Webb?

Where all this will end will be interesting as Football seems to operate with some pretty bizarre rules in terms of disrepute.

[smu1977]

I don't see the problem, like the rest of us Babel is entitled to his opinion. On a side note, thought he looked lively when he came on.

[Danoner Forrest]

Would you still say that if he gets a suspension? Because I can see the FA taking action for players comments/actions on sites like twitter, and this is exactly the sort of thing that the FA would do it for.

If he gets a suspension they will set a dangerous precedent.

Hell get a warning and maybe a small fine. The FA cannot afford to suspend him for this, they would have to monitor Twitter, Facebook and all the others 24/7 and cant do that.

[sean_lfc]

As long as the referees don't need to explain their decisions after the games then they must also be prepared to take a lot of **** from players and managers.

You can't have it one way.

Fully agree on this one.

He can't really, not if it's libellous (not saying it is in this instance). Whilst I kind of like the fact that he has done it, it was pretty foolish really.

The thing that bugs me though for example, is that the FA have announced they will investigate it, yet unless I've missed it they've said absolutely nothing about Diouf's disgraceful behaviour at the weekend. And really, which of the two is worse?

I suppose my saying that he can post what he wants may be a tad too liberal..!

But in this instance I am not sure I see it as being too big a deal. It strikes me as another occasion where the melodrama and self importance of football will be its own undoing. If they have a problem with Babel's twittering then punishing him will only draw attention to his actions and make an innocuous internet post into a far bigger issue...

...maybe that is a good thing in terms of exposing Howard Webb?

Where all this will end will be interesting as Football seems to operate with some pretty bizarre rules in terms of disrepute.

That's too true. They might just open a can of worms if they punish him and I would hope our club respond 'guns blazing', and in light of Kenny's stance on the ref's performance they might see it the same. It seems very selective what the FA do and how they go about their disrepute business. And you can be some of the half-decent media will chip in with an opinion or two.

If he gets a suspension they will set a dangerous precedent.

Hell get a warning and maybe a small fine. The FA cannot afford to suspend him for this, they would have to monitor Twitter, Facebook and all the others 24/7 and cant do that.

Bingo bango, if they try and fight fire with fire they might just shoot themselves in the foot.

It's a matter of forming an opinion and sharing this opinion. Like Arn mentioned, the refs have no one to answer to in public, they NEVER get demoted by the Referees Association, you hear nothing about it. He probably got a pat on the book for his performance 'Well done, Howard, another excellent refereeing performance'.

Sport needs more transparency, if there were more transparency and the correct levels of such, which do not completely favour one side, it would cause less of an upset. Managers get suspended from the dug-out for 'bringing the game into disrepute', players get fined for comments they make, yet that is just fighting the symptoms and not the cause.

Yet I expect absolutely nothing less than the powers that be to punish without retaliation for their own (ie. refs etc.). Ultimate power corrupts ultimately, pure double standards. They'll come up with some bull**** about 'Every referee undergoes the same assessment and scrutiny that players and managers do (but behind closed down fnar fnar).

Whatever, **** 'em. We've got Kenny back.

[RichC]

As long as the referees don't need to explain their decisions after the games then they must also be prepared to take a lot of **** from players and managers.

You can't have it one way.

Shouldn't be the case but it will be, Babel will get a ban of some sort.

The FA protect their own whether rotten or not and it's Howard MBE Webb afterall - probably be a call for treason questioning his integrity!

[sean_lfc]

Shouldn't be the case but it will be, Babel will get a ban of some sort.

The FA protect their own whether rotten or not and it's Howard MBE Webb afterall - probably be a call for treason questioning his integrity!

Totally agree. Happens in all walks of life, if you stand up and speak up, usually results in the higher power flexing its power muscles and stamping authority on ya. I should know, been happening throughout my life, from education to the work place and you always pull the shortest straw **** 'EM, JUSTICE FOR ALL!!!

[SB]

Its probably this one....

http://bigfourza.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/howard_webb.jpg?w=383&h=298

Double edit - now Sean's is showing up. wtf?

Your the man !!!!!!

[-V-]

He'll get fined and that'l be it

[vlahka]

I think its silly that he decided to apologise. If you do that then you do it in full force. Doubling back wont stop the FA from doing something to him. Good on him for doing it, but I wish he didnt bother saying sorry for it. A small fine or a game suspension is nothing when you arent automatically first team. I think its time for players and managers to say whats on their mind more often. Theres no way the FA would punish a dozen players and a few managers each week because they pointed out the **** refereeing. There really needs to be a change.

[Alex]

He will get a fine, nothing more.

Good on him for letting us know his feelings. Even if it was a bit stupid to do it. I wonder how Kenny will deal with these twitter outbursts now he is in charge.

[Buzzo]

He will get a fine, nothing more.

Good on him for letting us know his feelings. Even if it was a bit stupid to do it. I wonder how Kenny will deal with these twitter outbursts now he is in charge.

Kenny has his own Twitter page http://twitter.com/#!/kennethdalglish

So he can give them what for on that

[Alex]

Yea I follow him.

Perhaps he can Tweet Glen "Slow Close" Johnson a few things later.

[Alex]

Kenny just said in his PC that it was all a bit of harmless fun. Legend.