That's no way to wear a football scarf.Mancini Calls Kettle Black

I’m sure this won’t be the last time but football managers can be really myopic when they want to be.

Just several days after brandishing an imaginary card at the referee in Manchester City’s win against Liverpool Mancini now accuses Wayne Rooney of trying to influence the referee in getting Vincent Kompany sent off in their 3^rd round FA Cup game against Man Utd.

There was no suggestion of our kid waving imaginary cards or doing any of the other crass stuff that blights the “European” game mind you.

Football is mired in controversy and incidents like this do absolutely nothing to make it better. In fact they can only encourage the crowd to continue to barrack and harass players and referee alike.

Mancini’s not the only one who needs to clean up his act. Andy Townsend is a shocking  football punter declaring that the two footed challenge did not even deserve a yellow card and might not even have been a foul.

This ex pro is living in the past and needs to catch up pretty quick if he’s going to keep any of the dwindling respect he might have from armchair footie fans.  Lunging in with two feet is a clear red card offence and left the referee with no option but to send the player off.

Players keep diving in with two footed tackles and keep being sent off whilst looking around in disbelief. Read the rule book.

What is clearly frustrating though is the inconsistency with which the referee applies the law. Ryan Giggs should have been booked for a terrible (in the sense he was never going to get the ball and not malicious) tackle from behind which all armchair referees would agree was a clear yellow card. This inconsistency is the issue that should be addressed and not whether or not it was a card and what colour it should have been.

Taxi for Townsend.

Liverpool have an opportunity to set the record straight after being drawn at home in the fourth round of the FA Cup against Man Utd and fortunately Luis Suarez will still be banned for that game.

It’s time for them and the player to unreservedly apologise before any further unsavoury incidents blight the game.