People upset at Mancini's hand job live on TV

A soaked Roberto Mancini did something during the game last night which brought widespread disgust from football fans and journalists. No, he didn't put an umbrella up to protect himself from the torrential rain, he waved an imaginary card.

Shortly after Gareth Barry was sent off his side were awarded a penalty and Mancini eagerly stormed towards an official with an imaginary card. At least we all assume it was an imaginary card - it could actually be anything seeing as it was our imaginations - but rather than conjure up an imaginary mirror, it makes more sense to assume it was a card.

And the outrage began, up and down the country people were literally (probably not) spitting feathers. If they could have waved imaginary FA charges of disrepute at the television then they would have without the slightest hint of irony. It's not often that we see a manager wave an imaginary card but almost every game you'll see one shouting at an official to take action against a player. Some even get their assistants to join in, at White Hart Lane it can sometimes seem like The Tottenham Coaching Massive are expressing their disgust.

We see players tell the referee their opponent has to go into the book for that challenge or a member of the opposition needs to be sent off for something or other. Of course there's added expletives in there but you can imagine those yourself. This is an accepted part of the game, from the fabled grass roots right up to the top level. Pleas are made to officials throughout every match, and these include calls to take action against players on the opposing team.

So why is 'You've got to send him off ref' not treated with similar disgust as holding up an imaginary card? Essentially they're the same thing with the same sentiment and desired outcome. If you get so upset at one then surely you must get equally upset at the other.

There's no doubt it's annoying when an opposition player or manager is trying to get one of your players booked or sent off, but why is the annoyance multiplied when they do that visually rather than verbally? What is this inner chamber in many football followers which bursts open unleashing fury and disgust when someone waves an imaginary card?

Roberto Mancini apologised for his disgraceful act, I hope the sincerity was imaginary

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• reborto
• mancini
• 2012
• liverpool
• hand
• manchester
• city
• united

[BorisRagHunter]

Mancini seen waving the imaginary card to his right. The referee was about 70 yards to his left. Check the actual clip - Massive fail for the media yet again.