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Drogba could learn from Darren
'FOOTBALLER shows disrespect to match official' is not generally regarded as much of a story.
After all, it is something you see from the very top of the game down to the junior ranks.
But when it is followed by a rant into a television camera in front of millions across the world, people tend to sit up and take notice.
Didier Drogba's disappointment at Chelsea's departure from the Champions League was as understandable as it was over the top.
But the way he - and Michael Ballack just before the final whistle - treated the match referee was inexcusable.
Tom Henning Ovrebo was right to book the striker but really ought to have sent off Ballack after he clearly touched the official several times as he protested the non awarding of a penalty.
There is no doubt that Chelsea should have had at least a couple of penalties during the second leg of their semi final with Barcelona.
But Drogba failed to point out in his post match rant that he had been guilty of a miss that would have sealed the game long before Andres Iniesta's late strike sent the Spaniards through.
Drogba will now miss the final because his team were not good enough to get through.
Contrast that with Darren Fletcher who will miss the game in Rome because he was sent off for a foul that never was.
The Manchester United midfielder was shown a red card for a challenge on Arsenal's Cesc Fabregas.
The Scott got the ball, which clearly changed direction, and it was an error by the man in the middle.
United already led the game 3-0 at that stage and were virtually assured of their place in the final.
Fletcher's reaction was not to jump around and call the referee. He accepted the decision and walked from the field despite knowing his place in the season's showpiece was gone.
'Footballer respects referee's decision' - now there's a story.
Sadly, no one seems to have given Fletcher the praise he deserved for the manner of his departure.
I KNOW most professional sportsmen complain that they are asked to play too much, but didn't Halifax RLFC deserve another crack at Castleford Tigers?
Matt Calland's men held their Super League opponents over 80 minutes on their own ground only to go out of the Challenge Cup to a golden point drop goal.
I have no problem with extra time, but first score wins is not a concept I have ever been comfortable with.
I only ever witnessed it once in the flesh, as it were, in football when Town lost 2-1 to Rochdale at the Shay in 1999.
But that was in an Auto Windscreens Shield clash, not the premier knockout competition that the Challenge Cup is.
Not long after that, silver goal was adopted, an equally absurd idea where the team ahead at half time in extra time wins.
Then it was back to good old 15 minutes each way.
And that is how it should have been on Saturday night for Halifax when a snatched drop goal would not have undone all their previous good work.
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Weather for Halifax
Saturday 11 February 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: -2 C to 0 C
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