Can someone tell Naija players...

[anointed]

...to fall down and roll on the pitch like someone that has been shot anytime we are on the receiving end of off-ball-incidents like the head butt of yesterday. It cost us dearly against France in Brazil.

I still expect some repercussions from FIFA/CAF on that ref. For crying out loud, there was a headbutting incident that he penalized with a yellow.

[akamoke]

...to fall down and roll on the pitch like someone that has been shot anytime we are on the receiving end of off-ball-incidents like the head butt of yesterday. It cost us dearly against France in Brazil.

I still expect some repercussions from FIFA/CAF on that ref. For crying out loud, there was a headbutting incident that he penalized with a yellow.

Strange as it seems, I actually commend the Nigerian teams for showing fair play, they just want to get on with it, and in the long run it will be rewarding

All these falling around, diving etc, is actually off putting and may actually affect the game in the long run, its only a matter of time before people get sick of it all over and something will have to be done to curtail it

This is one area where sports like Rugby is decent, that together with replays, retroactive discipline and requiring only the Captain to question referee
decisons

I know some will argue that where has fair play got us, well I believe in Karma eventually

[Damunk]

From the TV pictures, it doesn't look like the 'headbutt' actually connected.
Definitely not with the head and it looked like it was headed for Shehu's shoulder.
So technically, was it a headbutt?

The intent was probably there but execution was poor.
I think that's the reason it didn't get a dramatic reaction from Shehu and also why it drew only a yellow card.

[Tbite]

From the TV pictures, it doesn't look like the 'headbutt' actually connected.
Definitely not with the head and it looked like it was headed for Shehu's shoulder.
So technically, was it a headbutt?

The intent was probably there but execution was poor.
I think that's the reason it didn't get a dramatic reaction from Shehu and also why it drew only a yellow card.

Kaita didn't connect as well against the Greek.

[anointed]

...to fall down and roll on the pitch like someone that has been shot anytime we are on the receiving end of off-ball-incidents like the head butt of yesterday. It cost us dearly against France in Brazil.

I still expect some repercussions from FIFA/CAF on that ref. For crying out loud, there was a headbutting incident that he penalized with a yellow.

Strange as it seems, I actually commend the Nigerian teams for showing fair play, they just want to get on with it, and in the long run it will be rewarding

All these falling around, diving etc, is actually off putting and may actually affect the game in the long run, its only a matter of time before people get sick of it all over and something will have to be done to curtail it

This is one area where sports like Rugby is decent, that together with replays, retroactive discipline and requiring only the Captain to question referee
decisons

I know some will argue that where has fair play got us, well I believe in Karma eventually

Not talking of diving. Mikel was elbowed by Giroud but he stood like Olumo rock and Osaze was vehemently pulled by Evra in the penalty box and he refused to down. Likewise Yekini vs Maldini though eventually he went down. If roles were reversed, what do you think would have happened? How much did Kaita do that he got a ref card?

[anointed]

From the TV pictures, it doesn't look like the 'headbutt' actually connected.
Definitely not with the head and it looked like it was headed for Shehu's shoulder.
So technically, was it a headbutt?

The intent was probably there but execution was poor.
I think that's the reason it didn't get a dramatic reaction from Shehu and also why it drew only a yellow card.

Intent is to be punished as well according to FIFA rule. I recall in the height of Man Utd/Arsenal wars Waffi made made case for Vieira cos his kick didn't connect with RVN but the Law is clear on this.

[Tobi17]

We are too "diplomatic" honestly, if there's one thing I love about South American teams, it's the fact that they take very good advantage of situations like this... they go into full mode theatrics, even the bullshit penalty that ref gave, he would have been crowded out and intimidated by a South American team to rescind the decision, they know when not to play the gentleman's game.

[Bell]

...to fall down and roll on the pitch like someone that has been shot anytime we are on the receiving end of off-ball-incidents like the head butt of yesterday. It cost us dearly against France in Brazil.

I still expect some repercussions from FIFA/CAF on that ref. For crying out loud, there was a headbutting incident that he penalized with a yellow.

COULDN'T DISAGREE MORE

Someday, I'd like Nigerian teams in all sports to adopt a philosophy that emphasizes fair play, honesty and friendliness. Let the rest of the world have their cheating antics and let Nigeria stand out for bringing high ethics to the game. Don't read this to mean that gamesmanship such as substituting to disrupt an opponent's rhythm or taking your time to restart play cannot be practiced.
Bell