Champions League sportsmanship controversy

We discuss all kinds of sportsmanship issues in our kid's leagues, but there was a real brouhaha yesterday in the Champions League match between Shaktar and FC Nordsjaelland.... Early in the match, with the Danish side up 1-0 there was a stoppage in play, and the referee did a drop ball to restart. As is customary, the ball is given back to the side that had possession (send the ball back to the defense or keeper). With the drop ball uncontested, ( looking like the referee instructed both players), the Shaktar player kicked a long ball back towards the Nord.. keeper.... except while everyone stood there and watched.. Adriano (Shaktar) took control of the ball and dribbled in and scored ! The place went ballistic with the Nords players understandably upset. Well when things like this happen its also customary to allow the wronged team to dribble in off the kick-off and score a gimme goal.... well, once again Shaktar missed the "sportsmanship" class and tackled the Nords. player as he headed towards goal... Tempers flared and needless to say there was a bitter tone to the rest of the game... Shaktar won 5-2.

VIDEO of the goal https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zXdLKwaeIv8

Interestingly enough Adriano will now face a UEFA hearing for his actions...

"Luiz Adriano faces charges for violation of the principles of conduct (Article 5, UEFA Disciplinary Regulations), and his case will be heard by the UEFA Control and Disciplinary Body on Tuesday 27 November," UEFA said in a statement.

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/news/champions-league-shakhtars-luiz-adriano-charged-cheat-goal-173248064.html


"I don't know if Shakhtar are bandits, but some of their players, bosses and coaches are without morals," Nordsjaelland coach Kasper Hjulmand told Danish television station TV3+.

Hjulmand said that instead of the goal being allowed to stand, Adriano should have been sent off instead of going on to score a hat-trick.

"First and foremost it's the player's choice. As coaches, we are forever on about respect for the game, the opponent and the rules," he fumed.

"In my world it's unsportsmanlike conduct and a red card for Luiz Adriano would have been quite appropriate."

Despite Adriano's mistake, Shakhtar declined the chance to allow Nordsjaelland to score unopposed as compensation.

Some of the visiting players appeared content to let Nordsjaelland's Nicolai Stokholm score straight from the kick-off but when midfielder Taras Stepanenko tackled him, Danish tempers flared.

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/news/champions-league-nordsjaelland-rage-shakhtars-contentious-goal-085834522.html

seen it in other games before where the ref happens to have an inadvertent whistle as the wrong team is attacking before the ball goes into the net. Oops...... free kick for the good guys, no harm no goal.

i've also seen where the team in the wrong scored the goal. then, at the next kickoff, they just get out of the way and let the other team score a goal to make it even. the next kickoff everything is back to normal.