Comments on: Paul Scholes: Master of the Handball. (And “Nine-Men”.)

By: Kasia

Kasia — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 14:09:38 +0000

Alessio, Rooney got booked for the angry ball-throwing.

By: Adz

Adz — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 04:54:01 +0000

haha…. What planet are you from Dirk Kuyt? he was clearly slapping the ball intentionally with his hands! And this was confirmed when seeing his reaction to the red card – he basically slumped his shoulders and shuffled off the field in shame.

By: alessio

alessio — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 19:29:15 +0000

I saw a review, but did Rooney get booked for a 2nd time before he threw the ball or for the gesture?

By: Dirk Kuyt

Dirk Kuyt — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 16:59:50 +0000

I don’t think a penalty should have been awarded nor do I think Scholesy should have received a red card. He was only raising his hands for me.

By: sscouser

sscouser — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 15:48:09 +0000

Yoyo, don’t make me laugh. Scholes was guarding the post and being a veteran he already knows the dangers of guarding the post. If he can’t use his head then he should never guard the post again.

By: webber

webber — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 15:44:34 +0000

Like Mike Phelan said, “It’s human nature to react.” He is right… Even the fking referee would have done so too…

By: Yoyo

Yoyo — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 15:40:56 +0000

I am totally agree with Sscouser and George. Paul Scholes was not intented to punch that ball. A goal should have been given to Fulham and no red card should be given. FIFA needs to fix the rule.

By: sscouser

sscouser — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 15:40:05 +0000

George and Wob, yes I meant where it would have likely resulted into a goal had the player not handled the ball.

In basketball, goaltending is the violation of interfering with the ball when it is on its way to the basket and it is (a) in its downward flight, (b) entirely above the rim and has the possibility of entering the basket, and (c) not touching the rim. In both NCAA basketball and NBA basketball, goaltending is also called if the ball has already touched the backboard while it is above the rim in its flight, regardless of whether it is in upward or downward flight. Goaltending in this context defines by exclusion what is considered a legal block of a field goal. In high school and NCAA basketball, goaltending is also called when a player interferes with a free throw at any time in its flight towards the basket.

If goaltending is called for interference with a field goal, the shooting team is awarded the points for the field goal as if it had been made. In high school and NCAA basketball, if goaltending is called on a free throw, the shooting team is awarded one point and a technical foul is called against the offending player.

Goaltending is commonly confused with the related violation of basket interference. Basket interference is like goaltending in that it involves interference with a field goal when it may still go through the basket; when the violation is made by the defending team, the shooting team is awarded points for the field goal as if it had been made.

By: Yoyo

Yoyo — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 15:37:52 +0000

I am a Liverpool fan and of course I’m delighted with the loss. But honestly, no one should blame Paul Scholes, how would you react if someone throws a ball on you or attempts to punch you in the head? Same thing applies to Paul Scholes, he wasnt intended to use his hands, its just a natural response. Nobody could control in such situation. Salute to the veteran.

However, Rooney’s dismissal was just DUMB. He should have controlled his temper, it was something he could control.

By: wob

wob — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 13:37:55 +0000

Sscouser, George. This is one obvious incident, but most times it’s not so clear wether it would have been a goal or not, especially while referees don’t yet have a video replay.