A Case For (More) Retroactive Punishment

In the past few weeks, we've seen the league flush with a variety of kick-outs, thrown elbows and various dirty tactics by some very high profile players (Rooney, Ronaldo, Ballack to name a few) and while hard-line tactics have been a part of the game forever, if the NFL can retroactively ban a player or fine a player for hits that he didn't even get flagged for in the match, I don't see why the FA should act any differently. Just because a referee caught in the match couldn't see a dirty trick 40m away doesn't mean it should go unpunished. Here are the Rooney transgressions:

At 5.50 in the video



And then the Ronaldo kicks


http://www.101greatgoals.com/videodisplay/1902679/ (Yeah HTML FAIL)


This is within the last couple weeks, and those are 5 card, and most red-card, worthy challenges. Players do get caught up in the moment, but at the end of the day, cheap shots like this should not be tolerated. The fact that two young star players on Manchester United have done most of it isn't too surprising. They feel invincible and invulnerable. Both of them had these transgressions when they lost possession or were beat in some way. Basically, when things don't roll their way, they'll lash out like petulant children and expect the world to look the other way. Unfortunately, they are looking the other way, and these two, as well as other superstars, are going to keep getting the superstar treatment and lashing out. Suspend Rooney for a couple games, and sure Ferguson will raise hell, but what power does he really have. He can't secede into another league, he can't sue them for suspending a player for cheap shots and really all he do is make a lot of noise. And that should be nothing new for the FA. I personally would have given Rooney a five match ban for his near elbow. He was clearly trying to take the poor defender's head off there, and had he connected, we'd be looking at a broken nose. So, save the next defender's face, and ban players who are clearly caught throwing dirty moves and fouls after the fact. Sure the clubs will complain, but if you want to keep the beautiful game beautiful, there's no other way.