I know cheating/bending the rules will always exist, but you can do as much as you can to prevent it. Just because something is relatively normal, it doesn't make it right. In all honesty, I've never thought much about this issue in the past, but I agree with Benjiman that preventing a goal scoring opportunity is very different to what Suarez and any other player who's handled on the line has done, which is preventing a goal. I would rather see a penalty goal and a yellow card issued than a penalty and a red card issued. There's always a chance a penalty won't be scored, and you can't guarantee that a team will benefit from their opposition being a man down. It's like with the Lampard goal. That was a goal, and the fact it wasn't given changed the match (athough England would probably have still lost). Ghana essentially had scored a goal, but it wasn't given because of the current rules. I'm also not convinced at the instinct argument for Suarez. Maybe if the ball had been going by his side and he'd slightly flicked out his arm, but he had to put his arms up above his head to stop it. How is that instinct for a footballer who's probably played outfield knowing he can't use his arms for his entire life? The player in front of him was trying to stop it with his hands too.

I also wish FIFA would use more technology to correct decisions after matches. For example, the guy that ran into Kaka and went down holding his face when it hadn't been touched. It's a shame that we've spent a long time debating this one incident when we've seen a fantastic performance from Germany and a big upset with Holland beating Brazil that has barely been mentioned. These types of incident spoil world cups for me. Take 2002 - how many people can picture Rivaldo being hit on the knee with a ball and going down clutching his face? How many people can picture anything to do with the final?

really...? Can we do that? I didn't know we could ask to be let off suspensions...if only i'd known this earlier on in the season, then maybe we could have done a bit better...

Although you should be saved this pleading this season, as the GFA ban for handling on the line is 7 days (usually one game, unless it's Woodies in April, in which case it would be 5 games), whereas the BCFA's ban last season would have been 2 games (plus the additional GFA suspension if reported).

Yeah, no problems. You can ask as much as you like...

Just seen other thread! Doh !! July 18th?

This might be controversial but does anyone find Spain a bit dull to watch? Yes they pass the ball around nicely and every now and then do something great but I find them very dull at times. Technically the likes of Iniesta, Xavi and Alonso are very good but I much rather watch players like Ozil or Robben. And also, I still don't rate Puyol as a class defender. There, I've said it, flame me down if you must !!

Agree with you Si (and Nath). Had high hopes for last night's game but wasn't particularly entertained. I think its partly because Spain are just so flippin good at retaining possession. There was a spell of a couple of minutes in the second half yesterday where Germany looked like they might get back in the game, good shot saved, couple of corners etc. Then SPain got possession in midfield and any momentum Germany had was killed off. Suppose that's why we enjoy the Premier League (and why we struggle at tournaments): possession changes hands so frequently that you always feel like you could be a few seconds away from a goal. Spain are brilliant, but they can be a little dull.

Also agree about Puyol. Never seen a big man go down so easily under the slightest challenge (though he wasn't too bad for that last night).

I wouldn't say it was a bad game last night. I enjoyed it, but it wasn't high on chances and goals.

And Davo, surely you're forgetting about Emile Heskey??

Damn, as soon as I saw Dave's post I knew that was coming. That Sparky savagely tortured me, stabbed me in the back and kicked me in the nuts. There was no hint of a dive

Think it was before you joined us Dave, so you were on the sidelines watching. Bit like much of last season