20th September 2004: I was pleased
to see the FA acting quickly in respect to events at the Hawthorns
on Saturday. They had promised to move the disciplinary wheels much
faster this season and that is certainly the case.
And they seem to have got it right. Fulham FC, Chris Coleman, Andy
Cole and Neil Clement all face charges, although it is slightly incongruous
that only Neil Clement is on the "fast track" process as his misdemeanour
occurred after he was sent off and therefore the referee could take
no further action. Strange ruling, but there you have it. Chris Coleman's
comments were completely out of order and he has rightly been charged
with bringing the game into disrepute. It would be interesting to
be a fly on the wall in his home this evening!
Given that Fulham were involved in another incident a couple of years
ago, they may be subject to some severe punishment. It's just a shame
it will not affect the result of the game, as I'm sure their players'
actions did.
On another disciplinary matter, UEFA will be discussing the incident
in Rome last week in a meeting tomorrow - will they be hard on the
Italian club, I wonder?
I must say a few words on the biggest story in the football today,
the death of the legend, Brian Clough. The greatest English manager
never to manage the national team passed away today having been suffering
from stomach cancer. I'm only old enough to remember the latter stages
of Old Big 'Ead's career, but he is certainly a man I admired and
one who I enjoyed listening to. His record as a manager speaks for
itself, although Cloughie himself made sure everyone knew about it.
His treatment of benign questions from the media was a joy to hear,
a talent that only Gordon Strachan has exhibited in recent years,
though he is not in the same class as Brian Clough. He was a great
manager, a great player (apparently) and the world of football is
poorer without him.
To finish on disciplinary issues, Rio Ferdinand returned to action
this evening after his eight month ban. I enjoyed a comment made by
Mike Ingham on BBC Radio Five Live before the match relating to some
Manchester United supporters hailing Ferdinand as the messiah returning.
He said: "We've been discussing the Life of Brian this evening, so
it seems apt to say of Rio Ferdinand - he's not the messiah, he's
been a very naughty boy!" Well said.
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