No Special Treatment For England, But Win Stands

By: Ian Rose | June 5th, 2008

Three Lions haters, line up for this one. FIFA announced today that England’s win over Trinidad and Tobago will stand and continue to be considered an “A” class international, despite England making an illegal seventh substitute in the match. Apparently, allowing the seventh sub was nothing more than a clerical error on the part of the official, along the lines of Graham Poll’s three yellow cards.

The funny thing about this, though, and the thing that makes it so very English, is that England claims there was no mistake. They claim they were given special permission for a seventh substitute by FIFA, something no one at FIFA seems to remember.

Where to begin? Fabio, all due respect, is the limit of six substitutions really such a constraint? Is there just so much English talent waiting in the wings that no 90-minute period can hold it all, or are the old guard of the team so old and so guarded that they all need to come off when the sweat starts to flow? Trinidad and Tobago are at a clear disadvantage in any case to a deeper and more talented England team to start with, but that divide just becomes wider if England can have an extra set of fresh legs.

Then there’s the issue of entitlement, so often brought up as we ramp up for Euro 2008. One of the reasons England isn’t in SwissAustria is that the team and the management took for granted that they would make it there. How could they not? It’s this same sort of entitlement that makes England assume that they can change the rules and play 18 players against the 87th ranked team in the world. Accepting the official’s mistake and getting away with an extra sub would be one thing, not so different from Joe Šimunić continuing to play on that second yellow. Claiming that you had a secret back-room deal with FIFA to allow yourself that illegal sub is another thing entirely.

I’m glad for the players that got their first cap that the “A” status of the match remains. But since England has essentially admitted to knowingly breaking a FIFA rule, shouldn’t there be some consequence?

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Me

Consequences for ?
That would be too unfair, they already failed to make Euro 2008 and haven’t come close to winning the a world cup or any major competitions. Come on, English soccer is going now where beside hyped and overpriced players. I think they’ve paid enough…
Ian Rose

Sheps - I appreciate that. I was raised around a lot of the Auld Enemy feelings, and sometimes they die a bit hard. I've watched Scotland rugby and football matches in English pubs, and I can tell you that not all of your countrymen share your fondness for the Scots. To me, it's just sad that the rivalry on the pitch has died off. I'd like to see a match at least every two years.
Sheps

"Thought we might be saved the Scottish bitterness this summer given you probably got closer to qualification than we did,"

"(sticking up for Scotland for a first time) Ah yes Shep, Scotland have a lot to be jealous and bitter over England this summer what with qualif…oh…."

You see, I was kind of aware of that already. The thing is, I genuinely want to see Scotland do well when they play - I'd go so far as to say they're my third team behind England and Liechtenstein (oh yes).

Whoever mentioned that this was Jack Warner's doing is probably spot on - to be honest, the friendly should be void anyway given that the only reason it happened was to get his vote for WC 2018. Seeing as though he's the only one who voted for us last time. Except it was Dean Ashton's debut, and however crap his game was, he deserved that cap more than anyone.
Barra

It has nothing to do with this

but i just realise how much i would love Australia to come up against England in the 2010 world cup

If England actually qualify

:)
Matt

(sticking up for Scotland for a first time) Ah yes Shep, Scotland have a lot to be jealous and bitter over England this summer what with qualif...oh....

Too soon?
Diane

I read that the exception meant they were both allowed 7 subs. Jack Warner is, in fact, Mr Something Fishy, more so if T&T was somehow not informed of the evening's rules.

However it was handled, this was the right ending as the match was a friendly. The players did nothing fishy during the match so they shouldn't be penalized when nothing was at stake.

All of this is just more smoke-screen to mask Jack Warner's offering, to the highest (or most groveling) bidder, his region's votes on the 2018 WC location. Whether or not a 7th sub was allowed for that match would constitute a drop in the ocean.
Ak

Actually, isn't it a convenient solution of how to break a small substitutes rule without anyone kicking a fuss: a vice-president telling everyone that it would be OK to break the rule, only for the governing body to say that no agreement existed, but it wouldn't punish anyone because it was just a silly misunderstanding. But, of course, to accuse gentle FIFA of such unethical practices...
Ak

Echoing Rob: didn't the BBC say that the 7 substitute thing was Jack Warner's doing (who was born "something fishy").
Ian Rose

That's me all over. I'm just filled with nothing but hate. Nah ... as Scotland fans go, I don't have a major problem with England. I miss the Home Championships, though, and I can't wait for another Scotland-England match. It's been too long.
Ian Rose

FIFA's claiming there wasn't ... not that I'm claiming FIFA is to be believed on this either. It just seems like something was a bit fishy here.
Rob

but wasn't there a pre-arrangement? Something to do with Dwight Yorke?
Ian Rose

Sheps - I hardly meant it as a full on attack on England. If that's how it came across, all apologies. What I mean is that if it was a mistake, why the talk about a pre-arrangement? It just seems a bit much.
Sheps

You're acting like this is England's fault! Come on, it's really not that bad, certainly no need to launch a full on attack on England like that.

You really don't want to get me started how arrogantly the USA behaves in the international domain.

Oh wait, I just checked your offside profile - you're scottish - this explains everything! Thought we might be saved the Scottish bitterness this summer given you probably got closer to qualification than we did, well apparently not - it's still not acceptable that when told it's fine by a referee to make 7 substitutes. Right at the end of the season. In the searing heat of the caribbean.