15-12-2005, 06:17 PM
Reading the below report .. I am sorry to say they have opened a can of worms where all clubs will need to be treated the same .. whether fair or not, the 2 match ban of Essien sets a precedent
report
ESSIEN BANNED FOR TWO GAMES
Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien has been handed a two-match ban by UEFA for his tackle on Liverpool's Dietmar Hamann.
Following a meeting of UEFAÂ’s control and disciplinary panel in Nyon, Essien now knows he will miss both home and away legs of the Barclays Premiership champions' next European clash.
The Ghana international has been punished for his challenge on Hamann, catching the midfielder just below the knee as Liverpool held Chelsea to a goalless draw in their final Group G match at Stamford Bridge.
The challenge went unnoticed by German official Herbert Fandel and that led to UEFA studying video evidence of the incident.
UEFA issued a charge of gross unsporting conduct against the 23-year-old, who attempted to diffuse the situation by apologising to Hamann, insisting the challenge “was accidental and that there was no malicious intentÂâ€.
Essien, who escaped disciplinary action earlier this season following a similar tackle on Bolton Wanderers' Tal Ben Haim, has since stated he is “not a violent playerÂâ€.
The Football Association were unable to act on that occasion as Essien was cautioned by referee Rob Styles in a game Chelsea won 5-1 in mid-October.
In this instance, UEFA stepped in as no action was taken at the time by the officials.
report
ESSIEN BANNED FOR TWO GAMES
Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien has been handed a two-match ban by UEFA for his tackle on Liverpool's Dietmar Hamann.
Following a meeting of UEFAÂ’s control and disciplinary panel in Nyon, Essien now knows he will miss both home and away legs of the Barclays Premiership champions' next European clash.
The Ghana international has been punished for his challenge on Hamann, catching the midfielder just below the knee as Liverpool held Chelsea to a goalless draw in their final Group G match at Stamford Bridge.
The challenge went unnoticed by German official Herbert Fandel and that led to UEFA studying video evidence of the incident.
UEFA issued a charge of gross unsporting conduct against the 23-year-old, who attempted to diffuse the situation by apologising to Hamann, insisting the challenge “was accidental and that there was no malicious intentÂâ€.
Essien, who escaped disciplinary action earlier this season following a similar tackle on Bolton Wanderers' Tal Ben Haim, has since stated he is “not a violent playerÂâ€.
The Football Association were unable to act on that occasion as Essien was cautioned by referee Rob Styles in a game Chelsea won 5-1 in mid-October.
In this instance, UEFA stepped in as no action was taken at the time by the officials.