Some whining from Mancini:
Quote:
Balotelli was dismissed 18 minutes after coming on as a second-half substitute for two bookable offences. Mancini had no argument with the first - for pulling back Glen Johnson - but was adamant the second for catching Martin Skrtel with an arm was unjustified.
"It is not correct, the [second] yellow card. I do not agree with this yellow card," said Mancini. "The referee didn't want to get a yellow card out, he did nothing for the yellow card.
"I think every time Mario does something many players provoke him. I think the referee gave a free-kick but didn't want to give a yellow card until all the Liverpool players complained. I watched the replay and for me it is nothing.
|
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/st...telli-?cc=5901
I'll make two points on this topic:
1) If he had gotten a yellow for elbowing Skrtel then thats all well and good, what he shouldnt have done is initially pull Johnson back for no reason. Mancini agrees with that card, well that was just a stupid undisciplined play.
2) Mancini is obviously sticking up for Crazy Mario. The elbow on Skrtel is a clear yellow. The ball is in the air, Skrtel is going for it, Balotelli elbows him in the neck. The key here is; Balotelli never left his feet ergo he made no attempt to win the ball.