Roberto Firmino

[dom9]

You're being facetious Dom. In the real world you wife probably reigns you in when it happens

I'm not being facetious at all.

Are the FA more than a bit crap? Yes, 100%.

Were they slow to investigate this incident? Yes, but by all accounts they interviewed 12 players, 2 match officials plus club officials. So at least 16 people. I wouldn't be surprised if they got a QC to go through it all with a fine toothcomb to make sure they're bullet proof in their stance. So yeah, it took a long time, but I can kinda see why in an age when we want everything yesterday.

Are the FA generally fit for purpose? My opinion is no. Their structure is Victorian, and they generally make a mess of most things. A combination of being parralised by their governance, processes (or lack of) and general incompetence.

Are the FA corrupt? Maybe, maybe not. I don't know.

Were the FA corrupt in dealing with the Firmino case (this is my original question)? If you can show me how, I'd love to see it. Conflating this with Holgate push doesn't work. The two incidents were separate and should be treated as such. Whether you agree with the outcome or not is besides the point.

[baitman]

lets see if holgate is on a violent conduct charge then...

hold your breath, Dom

[dom9]

lets see if holgate is on a violent conduct charge then...

hold your breath, Dom

Isn't the rule that if the ref saw it, then there can not be a subsequent charge? Player can only be charged where the ref didn't mention an incudes in the match report.

Pretty sure everyone's is agreement that Holgate should have been sent off there and then. That he wasn't is down to awful refereeing (another thing we can agree on that happens way too much).

And I reckon most people also reckon that it's a **** rule (about ref seeing incident / taking no action).

But rulz is rulz, innit bro.

[Snigger]

Holgate has just weakened any work being done to kick out racism - cunts that cry wolf are almost as bad as the protagonists.

[Nicey]

I think we can all agree Holgate is a cunt and now lets just move on.

[Gray]

Seconded

[Deano]

****house statement from the Bitters - ****ing ****house.

The FA's statement is appalling as well as it disproves either side.. I wish the club would grow now and call out the shove in the first instance, and then add in his innocence.

No one comes outs of this with any credence

Cant wait for the derby on their patch - ****ing needle

[greenturnip]

The derby at their place should be interesting.

[Fosterbloke]

What is so implausible about Holgate thinking he heard something bad and what is wrong with the FA taking it seriously?

Isn't this what we'd want the FA to do if one of ours thought they heard something racist said against them?

PS. He should still get a ban for that **** house challenge.

[Exiled_red]

What is so implausible about Holgate thinking he heard something bad and what is wrong with the FA taking it seriously?

Isn't this what we'd want the FA to do if one of ours thought they heard something racist said against them?

PS. He should still get a ban for that **** house challenge.

There's nothing wrong with that, but IMO the FA could and should have sorted it out much quicker.

It will be interesting to see if Holgate comes out with any comments. If I were in his position I would come out with a statement saying that I mis-heard it was a genuine mistake and after seeing all the evidence is realised that. I'm sorry for putting another player through that but that for the good of the game such incidence need to be reported and properly investigated. Etc...

[Assassin]

There's nothing wrong with that, but IMO the FA could and should have sorted it out much quicker.

It will be interesting to see if Holgate comes out with any comments. If I were in his position I would come out with a statement saying that I mis-heard it was a genuine mistake and after seeing all the evidence is realised that. I'm sorry for putting another player through that but that for the good of the game such incidence need to be reported and properly investigated. Etc...

However.....you are a reasonable person and holgate is a snidey ****house scumbag.

I wouldnt put it past him refusing or playing evra type games when it comes to the pre match handshake in the near future

[EwarWoo]

If I were in his position I would come out with a statement saying that I mis-heard it was a genuine mistake and after seeing all the evidence is realised that. I'm sorry for putting another player through that but that for the good of the game such incidence need to be reported and properly investigated. Etc...

Unless he still thinks Firmino did it then he's no still doubt fuming and it's the last thing he's likely to do.

Not necessarily what I think the case is, but it's possible and there's always 2 sides.

[Exiled_red]

However.....you are a reasonable person and holgate is a snidey ****house scumbag.

I wouldnt put it past him refusing or playing evra type games when it comes to the pre match handshake in the near future

Unless he still thinks Firmino did it then he's no still doubt fuming and it's the last thing he's likely to do.

Not necessarily what I think the case is, but it's possible and there's always 2 sides.

For me the statement would be about putting an end to it. If he comes out with nothing then it looks as if he it maintaining that Firmino did racially abuse him, he will get questioned about it every time he does an interview it will always hang over him. If he is involved in another incident this could skew people's opinion of it.

Of course he could come out with a statement either saying that he believes that the FA didn’t investIgate properly or that evidence wasn't captured, but that (whether true or not) would make him look bitter. But to be honest whether he feels justice was done or not the process is over and he has done all he can.

[EwarWoo]

If he disagrees with it why would he want to end it? Though if he disagrees publicly he'll be done for contempt so he'll no doubt no comment it if this is the case.

I don't think he'll get questioned about it that much anyway TBH, media coverage of this has been pretty minimal. A few no comments if even that and it will be over.

It's quite possible for both sides to be certain they're right. You can have Firmino not a racist and Holgate not a cunt in the same universe quite easily.

[Les Zeffelin]

If he disagrees with it why would he want to end it? Though if he disagrees publicly he'll be done for contempt so he'll no doubt no comment it if this is the case.

I don't think he'll get questioned about it that much anyway TBH, media coverage of this has been pretty minimal. A few no comments if even that and it will be over.

It's quite possible for both sides to be certain they're right. You can have Firmino not a racist and Holgate not a cunt in the same universe quite easily.

I appreciate you're playing devil's advocate here, so for arguments sake let's assume Holgate genuinely believes he was racially abused. This being the case Holgate clearly has no capacity for introspection, because he obviously hasn't reflected on his own actions i.e. taking a cheap shot in the first place.

I bet the FA wish Bobby had just got up & ****ted him then they could have banned Bobby for violent conduct, no questions asked.