Ribery Gets Carded For Paying Tribute To Dead Friends In A Friendly

By: chris | March 27th, 2008

I waxed on this awhile back when two Serie A players were shown red in the span of a week for second yellow cards as a result of the ridiculous “yellow for taking your shirt off rule”. This week it was taken to an entirely different level when, during the England – France friendly, Frank Ribery scored a penalty and then took his shirt off to reveal a t-shirt underneath with the message “For my friend Hicham and M. Gilardi”. Hicham being a recently deceased friend of Ribery and Monsieur Gialrdi being Thierry Gilardi, a famous commentator in France who was to do the game on Wednesday, but passed away Tuesday at 49 due to a heart attack. Then he got a yellow card for his tribute.

I have mixed feelings here on the referee for a few reasons. On one hand it’s a friendly, and even if it is a FIFA rule, it’s completely idiotic and giving meaningful cards in meaningless games is absurdly absurd. On the other, it is a direct order, and we don’t know whether or not the referee spoke French – despite the game being played in Paris and all that jazz. For all we know the ref could’ve thought the shirt said “I like docile kittens and brie is for losers.”

The real culprit is FIFA, whose laws have stooped down yet another level, and have embarrassed themselves yet again. At the very least they could relax these laws for friendlies and, more to the point, issue an official apology to Ribery for having their heads stuffed so far up their bureaucratic asses they’re going for round two on lunch.

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Category: World Football

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Mike

I think this rule stinks in general. I'm relatively new as a soccer fan, but it seems that pulling off the jersey to celebrate has been a bit of a traditional way to celebrate a goal for a while, hasn't it? Lately, I have seen some really offensive goal celebrations that appear to be lifted from some of the touchdown celebrations seen in American Football the last few years. It seems to me that pulling off the shirt is a celebration of joy whereas various pelvic thrusting moves are just crude and also seem to be more of an insult to the opposing players rather than a celebration. And let's not forget the growing popularity of the "dog with worms" celebration!
Johnny

re: “Goats are happy creatures”

LOL
derek

Ribery knew the rules and knew he'd get a card if he took his shirt off. It was worth it to him to do so. The referee should not be asked to interpret the meaning of what is written on players undershirts before handing out a card. They have enough to do already.

What I don't understand is does Ribery wear that shirt under his jersey every game until he scores? Since he does it for the TV cameras (no one in the stands is going to be able to read it while he's running around), would a black armband and a message (via team handlers) to the TV commentators accomplish the same goal (no pun intended)?
-nickt.-

i'll take international friendlies over the epl most days. cards for taking off your shirt are kind of dumb. if the rule is to stop players from antagonising opposing fans and players then card when that happens. thought that was against the rules already? i've never been offended by an opposing players undershirt or god forbid their bare chest. i can't see having different rules for friendlies though. all or nothing. i''m pulling for nothing.
Jim

If the games are meaningless, why play them at all? Five weeks before the end of the season, and we all have to catch our breath for a pointless round of friendly internationals we all could have done without.
Ernesto

I agree as well but when you make a rule or a law you cant be putting exceptions under that law, it would never end.
Marco P.

(...) at the same time, there’s only so much of Franck Ribery that a person should have to see…

Cheap shot Brian... :)

As for the yellow card rule, agreed. For friendlies at least, FIFA (and by extension, referees) should show a little bit more common sense.
Isaiah

I have to agree that the rule is silly, but it is no more silly for Ribery to get a card for this display than for anyone whose shirt says "I heart Jesus" or "Goats are happy creatures" or anything else you can think of to put on a shirt that isn't inflammatory. The rule is designed to stop showboating, to stop players from antagonizing opponents.

Obviously (or at least to everyone here), this rule is silly, but I think Chris makes the best point with, "giving meaningful cards in meaningless games is absurdly absurd." That's the biggest reason it's stupid.
b-man

I've always thought It was a stupid rule, but on Wednesday it was taken to a new level.

Not only was it a friendly match, it was in no way intended to antagonise the Enfland fans.

AND.... he was paying respect to recently passed away people. Is that really worth a yellow? Of Course it isn't!

FIFA/UEFA must change this rule immediately.
gregori

it is a very foolish rule
Francesco

I've always hated this rule. Let the players show their joy when they score a goal. Is taking off your shirt as bad as other bookable offenses? Absolutely not.

Fabrizio Ravanelli is lucky he retired, he would've been sent off a lot if the rule had been around when he played.
Brian

I completely agree. Although at the same time, there's only so much of Franck Ribery that a person should have to see...