Well well well well...

Eduardo's been cleared. The statement from the UEFA Appeals Body is as follows:

The UEFA Appeals Body today accepted the appeal lodged by Arsenal FC against the two-match suspension handed to striker Eduardo.

Not established

Following examination of all the evidence, notably the declarations of both the referee and the referees' assessor, as well as the various video footage, it was not established to the panel's satisfaction that the referee had been deceived in taking his decision on the penalty.

Decision annulled

Therefore, the decision of the UEFA Control and Disciplinary Body of 1 September, in which the player was suspended for two UEFA club competition matches, is annulled.

It's funny. I'd have thought the Control and Disciplinary Body would have had the same video footage, etc etc - particularly if the case rested solely on whether or not there was any likelihood of contact. But there you have it. It was not clear - from the referee himself (whom, again, should have been available to the Control and Disciplinary people), that Eduardo had dived. Duh.

UEFA have given themselves a lifeline. They still go about their usual selves, hoping to jump on the next person, go on saying the right things about diving, but not have to deal with the implications of an overly zealous (read: politicised) leadership.

Justice has been served, and good job to Eduardo and the Arse. Wonder what it was like in Nyon.

So let's hope to see Eduardo on Wednesday, and this time, he'll dive straight into a ball in the penalty area, win a diving header, and compel the ref to reach into his pocket with a card - a card with "10" on it. Speaking of which - apart from the great matchday scarves, we should consider handing out little numbered cards for the fans. So we can like, raise an 8, a 9, 7, whatever. Just for when Eduardo gives us a little trick or two.

Elsewhere, there's of course been all sorts of shit about about Adebayor. Damn the day Le Boss brought that vermin into the blessed English Premiere League. So it's a one match ban, two, three, four, five, six, lifetime ban with no parole, whatever.

Funny, but during the match, I really didn't think too much about the "stamp" on RVP at first. But having watched it quite a few times more today, I think there's not a shadow of a doubt that it was intended. Have a go , and make up your own mind. So that's the more serious charge as of now.



What I'd thought would be the heavier charge was the whole thing about him running the length of the pitch, and doing what he did. That was pure and simple - stupid, classless and absolutely unprofessional for sure. It was pretty pathetic. If I were a Citeh fan, I'd kinda wonder, now, why couldn't he just do his usual shittily fake badge kissing thing and get it over with? If it gives you so much pleasure to give one over to the Arse supportership as a population, then fine. You win, you loser. Now get on with your life, and get out of our collective sights.

It's sad. We've never had as classless a player leave our squad. Ever. Ever. Ever. How did this all happen? Yes, we brought him on board for his sheer talent, no doubt he has that in abundance, but Le Boss has also been known for his impeccable reading of character. I suppose he has to cock up once (in a long while).

So how long will he stay at Citeh before he yearns to kiss another badge then? I suppose 180,000 quid a week might keep him around for a bit.

Finally, as sign of the (pathetic) times, some sod has complained and made a police report that RVP mouthed an obscenity during his goal celebrations. Oh dear. Oh me, oh my. Let's slap the boy with a 3 match ban then. He said a naughty word. Indeed. That must've led to the face stamping and Adebayor's own celebrations - so let's just give RVP the whole lot in match bans.

Geez.