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Dubious Decisions
By Paul Reynolds
September 9 2002
In the wake of their decision to deny Nicolas Anelka his hat-trick against Everton, Paul Reynolds discusses the Premiership's Dubious goals Panel.

Dubious Decisions

I wonder how happy the "The FA Premier League Dubious Goals Panel" is feeling. The party-poopers of the moment have told Manchester City, Nicholas Anelka and the world that Anelka's first goal against Everton (which was a wonderful team performance) was not actually Anelka's goal. It was a Tomasz Radzinski own goal. Now, not content with giving Nicholas Anelka a little dig they have rewarded Radszinki with an OG tag. Woe betides any person who thinks that the FA are just getting their own back on Anelka for his past at Arsenal. Because the FA wouldn't do such a thing. Would they? Anyway, I personally do not see the point in taking a goal off Anelka and making Radzinski bear the burden of the OG tag. Firstly, because Radzinski did not know very much about it, the shot hitting him at such a speed that he could not have directed it anywhere even if he had KNEW that it was bound for him. Secondly, the whole point of this panel is to make sure that no goals get allowed that aren't, (i.e. a shot which hits the cross bar, falls on the goal line and bounces out. ring any bell's anyone?) and this goal in question certainly was indeed a legit goal. If you wonder why I persist in pressing such a point, imagine this: Nicholas Anelka and Ruud Van Nistelrooy are on 30 goals nearing the end of the season. But now imagine Ruud'y scores one in his last game; and Anelka scores one. BUT (and this is a big but) Anelka's first goal of the season is struck off. This leaves Van the Tran winning the golden boot award. And now imagine how many gloating United fans we will have to face........

Maybe the FA have got it completely wrong with this panel. Maybe they haven't. I prefer to think that it lies in between the two points. But whatever argument you pose, there is no doubt that the Football Association are trying to move things forward. Moving forward. Moving up. I believe it's called "Progress". A little thing that City itself is trying to achieve? And the little issue of progress cannot be done when the FA itself hinders us for no reason. Maybe Anelka's confidence is now hurt. Maybe he now has more of a desire to prove himself. Maybe........

City Till I Die

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