Next Time Hleb May Go for the Punch, not the Slap

By: Laurie | April 22nd, 2008

Was it a slap, a punch, or just a little love-tap?

I’ve watched this something like five times now and can’t figure out either the strength of the blow or the intent behind it. (Well, obviously the intent wasn’t “to express great affection,” but how bad was it, really? Double click on the video for the larger version and see if you can figure it out.)

Arsenal’s Alexander Hleb is facing a three-match ban for violent conduct for smacking Reading’s Graeme Murty in the face last Saturday. The referee didn’t see it, so there was no call during the game. But the FA watched the video and came to the conclusion that this was, in fact, “violent conduct.”

The FA decided to take action after reviewing video footage.

“The incident was not seen by referee Peter Walton,” said an FA statement.

“Having now watched video footage, Walton has informed the FA that, had he seen it, he would have shown Hleb a red card for violent conduct.”

If proven, Hleb could be banned for three matches, ruling him out of the games with Derby, Everton and finally Sunderland.

I hope the FA had a better angle than this one, because from this it looks like kind of a wienie amount of force for a three-match ban. If these guys are facing violent conduct charges over something like this, next time they just might choose to go for the gusto and really take the guy out.

I believe this would be what you’d call an “unintended consequence.”

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Category: England, English Premier League, Europe, World Football

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nige

I think all players should be slapped at least once a week
Rob

Well he's come out and said he's not appealing against a three match ban.

Possibly because he wants to put his feet up for the rest of the season.
derek

Does it really matter how much force he used? He struck out at another player and that is unsportsmanlike and violent - not to mention Hleb smacked Murty while he wasn't looking. That's cowardly.

It would be worth examining more match footage to see if there was any niggle between the two of them to provoke such a reaction (surely there must have been), but either way Hleb has to be suspended. There is no place for this in the game so punish him accordingly. Let him appeal to reduce the penalty for extenuating cirmcumstances if he feels he was provoked.
Rob

What I love is Hleb's 'Shh!' gesture right afterwards - the cheeky sod!

It really really doesn't look red-card worthy, which is what the ref is saying - and it really does not look three-match ban worthy. I think its a little OTT.