Crazy day on planet football leaves nothing but shame

Manchester United’s Wayne Rooney faces no action for his elbow on Wigan’s James McCarthy and the news emerges that Chelsea’s Ashley Cole SHOT a work experience kid with an air rifle.
We’ll return to the Rooney incident shortly, but first of all let’s take a look at Cole.
There are no denials from Chelsea that this happened but you just wonder why the victim or his family did not call the police. Okay, that is odd - but not as odd as taking an air rifle into a dressing room and then firing it at someone.
But it’s all okay because Chelsea say that “proper” action has been taken against Cole. Sweet.
Oh, and boss Carlo Ancelotti reckons that Cole is a “model professional” then. So that’s fine, issue solved.
Now back to Rooney. His bizarre elbow on McCarthy on Saturday was just plain weird. There was no reason for it. Just petulance. You would expect Manchester United to defend their player - they did when he should have been hung out to dry by his manager or one of his coaching staff.
Instead they started bleating about witch hunts and electrocution.
Referee Mark Clattenburg gave a free-kick at the time - and then, incredulously, says he feels the action was appropriate AFTER seeing TV replays.
Even more bizarrely referee chief Mike Riley, who used to work at Nelson and Colne College, defended the referee.
Maybe Clattenburg is after a spot of moonlighting as a referee in UFC or Aussie Rules - because what he obviously sees as acceptable on his football pitch does not equate to what most people who have the ability to feed themselves would call the norm.
Shame on the referee, shame on his boss, shame on Rooney, shame on Man United, shame on Cole and shame on Chelsea.
In a short space of time a few people have done so much damage to the credibility of the game and themselves.
The sad thing is if I keep this column on my hard drive I am sure I will be able to use it again in a few weeks - although I may even have to change a few names Well done chaps, I hope you’re all proud.

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