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Video: The Glen Johnson Tackle On Lescott

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Image for Video: The Glen Johnson Tackle On Lescott

My challenge to the Football Association. If the governing body of English football want to be taken seriously by any player, manager or supporter in this country, then they must immediately ban Glen Johnson for three matches following his dangerous, two-footed challenge on Manchester City defender Joleon Lescott in the Carling Cup semi final at the Etihad Stadium.

The challenge by Johnson comes only days after Vincent Kompany was subjected to similar punishment for a similar challenge on Luis Nanny in the FA Cup against Manchester United. Kompany is serving a 4 match ban, as his tackle was deemed to have endangered an opponent, despite the fact that Kompany appeared in control of his actions and won the ball cleanly without actually touching the opposition player. Glen Johnson’s challenge was far worse, as he lunged, studs up into the challenge and caught both the player and the ball.



Now in an ideal world I would not be calling for Johnson to be penalised in such a fashion. Common sense would suggest that his foul on Lescott was a yellow card offence at best. However, the fact remains that Johnson’s foul was at least a degree of magnitude worse than the incident involving Vincent Kompany. Incidentally, I also believe that common sense, if applied to Vincent Kompany’s challenge would have seen him punished by nothing more than a booking.

Sorry to all Liverpool fans who don’t think a red card and three match ban for their player is fair – and I agree with you – it’s not fair. Banning Vincent Kompany for a similar but less severe challenge is equally unfair, and would seem to fly in the face of common sense. Unfortunately for the Football Association, a precedent has been set, and the type of challenge we witnessed this evening has now clearly been outlawed by the game’s authorities.

So in order to avoid any ambiguity, accusations of bias or sense of injustice amongst Manchester City supporters, I am calling for the FA to be consistent in its handling of disciplinary matters and retrospectively ban Glen Johnson. Once again, apologies to all Liverpool fans, but unfortunately I don’t make the rules – the FA do, and they simple must adhere to them – anything else would be cowardly and to the detriment of the game.

Shall I hold my breath?

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