Barnsley are furious today after the FA announced they will not be taking further action over Chris Morgan's elbow on Iain Hume 17 days ago. Hume suffered a fractured skull and was rushed to hospital after the incident. He was released days later but readmitted on Monday.
Barnsley today released a statement outlining their attempt to seek justice outside of the Football Association:
"The decision by the FA to disconnect a violent act from its consequences runs contrary to the principles of civil and criminal law. The FA's failure to act has let Iain Hume down badly and the only option now remaining is for recourse outside of the normal football processes."
Meanwhile Sheffield United wish to forget about the incident as quickly as possible, says asst. manager Sam Ellis: "We think people have made a little bit more of it than they should have. It was closed after the game."
Hume had scored four goals this season before the incident which took place during Barnsleys 2-1 defeat at Oakwell to the blades on the 8th of November. Speaking before he was readmitted to hospital, Hume shared his enthusiasm to play as soon as possible: "It's upsetting to know that it was life threatening but the surgeons did a terrific job and I'm so grateful for what they have done for me. Nothing will stop me from playing, it's my life."
I hope that the Canadian international returns as soon as possible after a full recovery. No one likes to see an incident like this ruin a career, and I'm sure Chris Morgan feels the same way. I understand Barnsley's frustration. The force of the elbow and its use deserves more than the yellow card it received in this case. But watching again, Morgan shows no malice to clobber Hume in the head; he was watching the ball and hustling for a header when he swung his arm. After all, how often do you see defenders use their arms to shield a ball from an opponent before a header?
If Hume doesn't stoop down, the elbow is chest height and like many featured on pitches all over the world every weekend.
- Bigus.
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Barnsley Fume Over FA Hume Decision
Thursday, March 20, 2008
The savior returns from West Brom
Barnsley's run in the FA Cup has been nothing short of remarkable, but an extra layer of magic was added by the heroics of their goalie, Luke Steele, who was signed just three days before the 2-1 win at Liverpool and who also kept Chelsea at bay in the quarter-finals.
However, his participation in the semis against Cardiff was thrown in doubt when his emergency loan deal expired on Monday. The team that owns Steele? Fellow FA Cup semi-finalists West Bromwich Albion. The two sides were dragging their heels on finalizing a permanent switch, and to the relief of Tykes fans everywhere, the deal was put through this morning, and Steele will be a full-time Barnsley keeper from this summer on.
You may recommence breathing.
Of course, Steele wouldn't be able to play against West Brom should both teams win their FA Cup semi-final games, but that's immaterial at this point. Who knows, considering that EPL keepers are dropping like flies, and that most of the ones left standing simply aren't that good, Steele might well be auditioning for a bigger stage in the future. Here's looking at you, Paul Robinson.
The sticking point was the nature of the deal that both sides were looking for. According to the BBC, West Brom were keen on Steele joining Barnsley in a permanent deal, although they wanted more of a wage subsidy from Barnsley while he was there on loan. During the first loan spell, the Baggies paid 60% of his wages to help the Tykes deal with the extra expense, although now that Barnsley's collected a boatload of FA Cup money, the switch this time around is thought to be a lot more even.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Sweet FA Cup Roundup
Unless you have been living under a rock (or don't follow the English brand of football), you have undoubtedly heard of some slight FA Cup upsets from this past weekend. After the jump, some sure to disappear quickly video highlights of the quarterfinal matches.
Manchester United 0 Portsmouth 1
Pompey went up to United and won for the first time in 50 years at Old Trafford. SAF was pissed from the 6th minute onwards, after C. Ronaldo took a knock in the box but didn't get a penalty. Despite not scoring for the rest of the game, Fergie said this is what lost the game for Man U. Actually, it was this:
Rio Ferdinand had to go in goal afterwards and made a valiant, but failing, effort at the penalty. We here at UF could not have been happier.
Barnsley 1 Chelsea 0
Well, we could not have been happier until this happened. The Tykes knock big spending Chelsea out of the cup. Below, extended highlights of the epic fail that is Chelsea.
Middlesbrough 0 Cardiff City 2
The Welsh outfit went northeast to take on Gareth "the teeth" Southgate's squad, and beat them soundly. Two first half goals sealed the deal. Look below for a really fuzzy view of the goals.
Bristol Rovers 1 West Bromwich Albion 5
Ishamel Miller had a hattrick for the visitors. Rovers replied quickly after going down 0-2, but after the (very offside*)third WBA goal, Rovers had no shot. Look below for the highlights from last weekend's highest scoring match.
* Yes I understand the offside rule. I understand active vs. passive. I understand that the defender had the last touch. Miller made himself active on a ball that was initially attempted to be put through by WBA. It was an offside in the way Joe Cole was not in the Chelsea game.
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