Fair Play Award: Costin Lazar Refuses A Penalty.

can we forward this to drogba and ronaldo?

^ Do I commit theft when I steal a car or when I'm caught? Just because I could get away with it doesn't mean I should.

Thanks tom, someone actually realizes how the game REALLY works. And A Ref I was actually wondering the same thing at a later time, thats how it works when a ref has final say, the rules are FLEXIBLE which leads me to the point.

"Faking to be fouled, diving, play acting and so forth is simply against the rules of the game, not within. If you’d like to enjoy a sport where the players are awarded for this behaviour, I’d suggest you change your sports interest from football to professional wrestling."

To this I have to say open your eyes. If you think such things are against the rules, you're naive. If you do it and are not carded, it is not against the rules. If you do it and are carded it is against the rules. Faking exists in a space between being against the rules and within the rules, it is stretching the rules as far as they can go and sometimes a player "breaks" them. When does a player break them? Not when he makes the decision to fake an action but when the ref gives him a card. If he fakes and receives no card then as far as the game rules go, it was a legitimate foul, penalty, etc.

If you're so obsessed with the players following a set of type-written rules and displaying moral values you'd like to teach your children than don't watch the prem league and certainly don't watch Serie A. And infact don't watch nearly any top flight league in Europe, you'll only be disappointed.

i agree with scott. you take any advantage you are given.

I thought the laws required a caution for showing dissent (defined as to differ in sentiment or opinion) against any decision given by the referee. Does this not fall into that category?!?!?!?!

The defender got position before playing the ball is the only potential issue I can see... Was the offensive player interviewed about his reasoning for declining the free kick?

No, Scott, you're still wrong. You're missing the point; 2-0 up with 27 minutes to go is by no means a won game so it can stil be compared with the scores being tied (or even losing). His decision is therefore not related to the scoreline and your conclusion is not 'reasonable'.

Scott, you said: "Remember everyone it is a game, within the rules anything goes."

Faking to be fouled, diving, play acting and so forth is simply against the rules of the game, not within. If you'd like to enjoy a sport where the players are awarded for this behaviour, I'd suggest you change your sports interest from football to professional wrestling.

Scott!!! Blah blah blah

Can't you for one second stop and enjoy the moment? Yes, they were leading by two goals. Yes, wasn't a match defining moment. But just close your eyes and imagine what Cronaldo would do? Drogba? Inzaghi? Imagine their self-righteousness. Imagine Cronaldo nodding his head in acceptance, Drogba wreathing in pain and Pippo's hidden smirk - aren't you tired already? This is ain't theater.

Thank you Chris and thank you Vlad for a whiff of fresh air.

First off. I'm not wrong, get off your high horse and stop it. My opinion is no less valuable than anyones, cynical or not.

Second. NO ONE except the player himself has any idea what his intentions at that moment were. Instead of projecting your hopes and dreams why don't you just look at the scenario for what it is and make a reasonable conclusion. That is all I did.

As I said twice, if he really felt he wasn't fouled and seeing as they're up 2, ok, let the penalty go. If the same scenario had happened in a tie or losing game for them he would either have taken the penalty, or if he didn't he would have been brought off by the manager.

That was definitely a penalty.

Yeah,nice one Steve.
Learn something Ronaldo.

he might have also had a bet on a 2-0 scoreline.

check my post on my rapid bucharest blog it has some interesting player comments, plz check it.

Scott, you are utterly wrong. This kind of sportsmanship is EXACTLY what we need more of in the game, to show our youngsters what sport means. Let's face it, even at 2-0 up with 27 minutes to go, they could have still drawn or lost the game and he would risk a backlash for not taking advantage of this mistake. So hats off to him and shame on you for your cynicism.

I am cynical.

He either felt it was wrong personally (like I might) if he didn't feel he was actually slighted, or he wanted to basically "be the bigger man" and not accept the free shot and look like a "good sportsman" to everyone. (this blog)

If he honestly felt he wasn't fouled then alright. But if they were losing or if it was even tied, I don't think we would see the same reaction.

Can any of you honestly disagree with me on that? I hope not.

Outstanding sportsmanship!

I agree with Dustin. It looked like a clear penalty to me, he took the striker out with a clumsy tackle. I'm sure he didn't intend to foul him but he did and should've known it was a possibility.

I agree, if the score was different he might have taken the penalty or been benched by his coach for not taking it

Fair play, fantastic to see. I couldn't disagree with you more, Scott.

Miroslav Klose is reputed to have done something similar several years ago, as well.

@Scott - Rapid Bucharest was up 2-0, and I'd be the first to admit that in a different situation he might have been a little less honest, but if you really think he did it to get good press then you, my friend, are a cynical man.

Sure looked like a penalty to me, he tackled the player with his leg up high and then took the ball. He didn't take the ball THEN hit the player accidentally. So yeah it's a penalty, if you don't think it was just kick it over, everyone knows what you were trying to do, simple as that.

Were they ahead?

If they weren't and that lost them the game that is really rather silly. The game is ultimately about winning, not about how you get there. I fully support all kinds of trickery and "cheap shots" if they work. Remember everyone it is a game, within the rules anything goes. It isn't simply a show of physical skill but also guile and intelligence.

If someone makes a tackle and the ref says penalty, you take it unless either you personally can't live with taking an undeserved penalty, or your team doesn't need the potential point and you'd like to look good for the press (like this article has done).

You think Christiano Ronaldo be that generous in a similar situation?

Same thing was done 2 years ago by "Chelito" Delgado (Arg) while playing for Cruz Azul in Mexico. Delgado now plays in France.

This is just totally fabulous.Many players should learn from this.Many names come to mind but that's another topic!

Fantastic! absolutely delightful!