A load of hot air...

[Foxy]

Manchester City have written to the FA voicing our concerns about how Sunday’s FA Cup game at Bramall Lane was handled.
The Club are particularly concerned about the lead-up to the first goal, which came as a direct result of a Sheffield United cross striking two balloons on the pitch.
City had previously asked fourth official Mark Clattenburg to remove the numerous balloons that were spread across Joe Hart’s penalty area.
Mr Clattenburg told our coaching staff that he had raised the issue with the match referee, Alan Wiley, however Mr Wiley’s only action was to ask Joe Hart to help clear the pitch when play was at the other end of the pitch.
The Club believe that Mr Wiley and his team should have stopped play and instructed Sheffield United staff and stewards to remove the obstacles from the field of play before continuing with the game. It was the officials’ responsibility, and their failure to do so had a direct bearing on the first goal being scored in a very important FA Cup tie, which was decided by one goal.

Oh deary me! what is it coming to!

I seem to recall a number of occaisions when a ball has hit a balloon on the pitch, its happened a couple of times towards the kop/south stand corner. Admittedly not in the 6 yard box, but bloody hell, come on!

 

[TonyAgana]

Oh deary me! what is it coming to!

I seem to recall a number of occaisions when a ball has hit a balloon on the pitch, its happened a couple of times towards the kop/south stand corner. Admittedly not in the 6 yard box, but bloody hell, come on!

Ridiculous. Remember Deano against the grunters? "Dancing amongst the balloons" it was like poetry in motion.

 

[Robbie]

To be honest, the balloons were there when they entered the pitch was they not? Was it not possible to be bursting the balloons whilst they had the coin toss etc?

If I was a keeper I would be making sure my box was clear before any game started, Hart clearly didn't do this.

Whether some blame lays with the officials for not getting them to do it before they started is another matter.

 

[Foxy]

Hart had PLENTY of chance to pop the balloons, plenty of occaisions he had chance to sort it. Why did he only pop the 2/3 infront of him when the ref talked to him at the goal kick?

 

[Greasy Chip Butty]

The balloons were there from the start we didn't score until about 10 minutes in, surely in that time there was a period where we wasn't attacking.

 

[matth]

The balloons could easily have been just as detrimental to us, too - which is, I would imagine, why Hart didn't pop them when he should have.

 

[silverfox]

The balloons could easily have been just as detrimental to us, too - which is, I would imagine, why Hart didn't pop them when he should have.

Can you imagine how hey would have laughed if we'd complained about missing chances because of their balloons.

 

[Greasy Chip Butty]

Can you imagine how hey would have laughed if we'd complained about missing chances because of their balloons.

We'd have took em to court

 

[Robbie]

We'd have took em to court

Nice one haha

To be fair, Man City are making something out of nothing. I don't know if they think they will actually get anything out of this.

 

[shorehamview]

They had plenty of time before the start to stamp on them. And they were balloons from their own fans. So what's the solution? Arrest any Man City fans carrying offensive balloons?

 

[Tinoblade]

Agreed with everyone they had pleny of time to clear the area!

Whenever i have seen united throw balloons from the kop paddy seems to stamp on them sharpish before kick off

 

[keenzy]

cant see the f.a doing anything about it. they didnt do anything about signing players illegally, so why a few balloons brought about by there own fans and the inxperience of the goalkeeper.

Basic lesson of football: Keep your eye on the ball.

 

[Pedders]

cant see the f.a doing anything about it. they didnt do anything about signing players illegally, so why a few balloons brought about by there own fans and the inxperience of the goalkeeper.

Basic lesson of football: Keep your eye on the balloon.

Fixed , quite pathetic really nowt will come of it

 

[Bladesman]

It is rather pathetic Hart had enough time to clear his box of the balloons and was told to by the ref.

I do wonder why Schmeichel and Isaksson havnt seen the 1st team more this season coz I think Hart looked very poor on sunday.

 

[Sheffield-Bl4de]

excuse my language, but this is pretty fuckin desperate from City, whay can they not accept the loss, jesus christ, yet it wouldnt surprise me if the f.a made us play the tie again ha ha

 

[Greasy Chip Butty]

Anyone see Captain Blades pre match reenactment of sunday with balloons

 

[dansufc]

aye i did GCB, what a legend

 

[Robbie]

I do wonder why Schmeichel and Isaksson havnt seen the 1st team more this season coz I think Hart looked very poor on sunday.

Hart has the makings to be a fantastic keeper, he is prone to silly things, but overall he has a fantastic future ahead of him.

excuse my language, but this is pretty fuckin desperate from City, whay can they not accept the loss, jesus christ, yet it wouldnt surprise me if the f.a made us play the tie again ha ha

City HAVE accepted the loss. But issue of the balloons not being allowed to be popped and time be stopped is what they want to raise.

 

[Samantha]

Are games ever stopped at Wembley to clear balloons? No

No stewards or officials at Wembley enter the field of play to clear balloons? No

Do stewards or officials anywhere else enter the field of play to clear balloons? No

Who threw the bloody things in the first place? Man City

Who takes stupid inflatable things to every away game they go to? Man City

I rest my case

Stop bloody moaning and get on with life!

 

[Sheffield-Bl4de]

Hart has the makings to be a fantastic keeper, he is prone to silly things, but overall he has a fantastic future ahead of him.



City HAVE accepted the loss. But issue of the balloons not being allowed to be popped and time be stopped is what they want to raise.

You mean like the fact that he indicated to the ref that he was ready for the match to start, when the ref had spoken to him asking him to clear his area...so what exactly are they appealing against? Their prat keeper for not doing as he was asked?