PURSE CHUFFED RED CARD OVERTURNED, THE REST OF FOOTBALL IS MIFFED

It's incredible!

Every radio station and every English club believe Cardiff City get favouritism from the FAW when reality is the exact opposite.

If they're gobsmacked that Purse's red card was rescinded, we're doubly so ... at least!


DARREN PURSE himself is so delighted that he chose to issue a statement via Cardiff City's official website, also expressing his score for Andy Cole's antics and outburst which were out of order. See this > http://www.cardiffcityfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10335~1301621,00.html


Meanwhile, and understandably so to a large extent, the reaction elsewhere is football is suspicious about a cosy relationship between City and the FAW (if only!) and quite outraged by what has happened. Websites, newspapers and radio stations all passing comments. The reaction in Burnley is predictably scathing and QPR's website is another example of the general mood.

QPR
http://www.clubfanzine.com/QPR/showNews.php?id=10623

BURNLEY
http://www.clarets-mad.co.uk/news/loadnews.asp?cid=TMNW&id=390146


It has opened a can of worms including whether Cardiff City should report to the English F.A. or F.A.W. (Football Association of Wales). There's an increasing view around here that Cardiff should join the F.A., especially given their recent decision to allow us into Europe if we pull off a shock in the Cup Final, and I've certainly warmed up to this also.

Contrary to the belief now going around England after Purse's red card being rescinded, City really do get a raw deal off the Football Association of Wales (FAW) who treat those clubs not playing in the Welsh system - that's Cardiff, Swansea, Wrexham, Newport, Merthyr and Colwyn Bay - with scant regard.

They're a geriatric, shambolic organisation in many ways (geriatric literally as I think almost half the members are over 70!) seemingly incapable of dealing with the professional game. We've been banished from the opportunity to represent Wales in Europe, despite promises virtually every year for more than a decade, that they will sort it out.

It's only history and legislation that means we have to deal with the FAW even though we'll never play in their system. The relationship has become increasingly fractured and there have been a few spats between City and the FAW, so many over poor red card decisions they refused to overturn when it is widely believed they would be rescinded by the FA. Cardiff even had a player sent off earlier in the season where an appeal couldn't be heard until almost a week later and they couldn't get a committee together to consider it! This is only the second time in more than a decade they've overturned a Cardiff red card so whatever went on this time, there's no way we get a better deal overall.

What is interesting is that Peter Ridsdale and the FAW had their latest public fall out just last Friday with Peter Ridsdale issuing a statement on the club's official website and a veiled threat to leave the FAW - see link. http://www.cardiffcityfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10335~1298127,00.html

There's been a barrage of anti-FAW sentiment from the club over the past year or two, much of it over their poor treatment of the club, especially with just appeals. There is a feeling with many of us that this was some sort of political decision to try and heal a rift.

I don't feel there is any benefit any longer with FAW and we usually get a raw deal and, of course, the English League is where we've always been and where we always want to be.

The funniest thing is, all being well, there is no way Darren Purse will be anymore than a non-playing sub in the Cup Final and many Cardiff fans will be praying it's no more than that.

He has been an increasingly liability and had a terrible season. A nice bloke but in decline. He's Captain but not good enough to get a game - he only played at Burnley last weekend because we rested other players - and when he does play, it's often a story of error-prone games with cock ups costing goals, missed penalties, own goals, red cards and very few highs. There's a few of us now fretting this will bite us on the bum - Purse is 33/1 locally to score an own goal in the Cup Final ... some think those odds are generous! :>)