Eduardo da Silva will probably never play football again.
Having broken his leg in no less than four places (the fibula, twice on the ankle, and once on the back of the shin), his injuries were so horrific that it is rumoured that he is lucky to still have both legs this evening.
I personally have stayed behind the scenes, keeping quiet for a while, checking the replay on my Sky+ box and making some notes and observations.
Finally I have formulated an opinion on the matter: Birmingham VS Arsenal, the 2-2, and most importantly, THAT challenge.
To the crux of the matter: Martin Taylor did intend to tackle Eduardo in such a fashion. He fully intended a crude, malicious challenge. What he did not intend was for it to backfire in such a fashion.
You see, Mr Taylor is an old boy of the school for hard knock defenders—shake 'em up to screw 'em up. He fully intended to put in a hard challenge on Eduardo, in order to put him off his game. What happened, instead of the player getting up shakily from the ground and having a quiet match, was nothing short of horrific.
The tackle itself, in the replay—both in slow motion and normal play—is easy to break down. Taylor intended to tackle Eduardo hard, pushing his foot over the ball, and knocking him to the ground in such a way that he a) did not give away a free kick and b) put fear into his opponent.
However, as has been the case with so many bad tackles this season: his studs were up. This is factor number one.
Factor number two: Eduardo is wearing slightly longer studs (with moulded blades intended to grip a wet or damp playing surface better), and therefore his leg was acting as an anchor—the studs of Taylor's boot caught his leg, which crumpled under the weight of the heavy challenge. The rest is too grisly to describe.
Yet I have nothing but sympathy for Taylor. He is as much a victim as Eduardo is. That is because it is clear that he has not been taught to tackle properly.
It was only as much as ten years ago, that PE teachers across the land taught how to tackle a football safely, with as much consideration for the opposition as you had your own team. Studs down, foot pointed to ground, a sweeping motion, played to either side of the football: it must never be from behind, especially in a sliding tackle, and in a sliding tackle, only one foot must be used, and its studs must be pointed to the ground.
How much the game has lost! How much society and the football community is to blame for this situation!
We find excuses for our players—it's in everything: players were taught how to jump with their arms down as far back now as the eighties, to avoid the elbows and knocks to the head we see today!
Now? The player needed the leverage.
A good jumper doesn't need to use his arms. He is not a long jumper, or a high jumper—where there is only one person who can get hurt: himself. There are twenty two other men on the field (referee included) and the players need to recognise that peoples' livelihoods are at stake here.
Respect and consideration for your fellow man—your fellow professional!
This is why—back when they were taught the etiquette of football—when football was just a game, and when all that mattered was that you played your best—this is why they taught it! Now?!
Now, the game is a business, and you must win at all costs.
Even if it costs a young, talented football player, his livelihood.
For shame.
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5 months ago
Great work, Simon. I had no idea that the culture of football in England so closely resembles the culture of hockey in Canada. What leads to tackles that shatter legs is precisely what leads to body checks that end in concussions. We stopped teaching kids how to check correctly. The players got bigger, stronger, faster, and the game became about money and nothing else. Now players don't know how to check or be checked and the injuries are horrific. I do feel bad for Taylor and he shouldn't be banned for life, but those fans out there who are saying that he didn't even deserve red are just as reactionary as those who propose the former.
I hope Eduardo can come back. How cool would that be?
Here's hoping the climate of sport changes for the better (I know, I know)
4 months ago
A real bad tackle from Taylor (Martin as opposed to Matthew as put in the article though!) – there’s no place in the game for tackles where players are putting their feet down with their studs up. It’s pretty much impossible to win the ball cleanly like this and you’re definitely going to be taking some, if not a lot of the man as well. Tackles should always be made with your feet on the ground, otherwise you risk serious imjury to your opponent and this is what happened here. It could happen another 100 times and it would never be as bad as this but the risk is always there. With the best medical assistance money can buy let’s just hope Eduardo makes a speedy recovery.
4 months ago
Rubbish! It was a bad challenge and a sending off, thats as far as it goes. I hope all the best for Eduardo and a speedy recovery. It would be a great shame to see a talent like Eduardo not return, but to say Martin Taylor meant to hurt him is absolutly RUBBISH!!!
4 months ago
Eduardo will be back. Also Cisse broke his leg when no-one was anywhere near him, he just slipped. and that caused a far worse injury, so it is pointless to point the fingerat coaching ect, broken legs happen everywhere in football. Ronaldo just had his career threatened yet people praise the Italians for their tackling ability.
Eduardo looks to be back in November. You have to remember that the normal person on the street wouldn't have Garry lewin tending to his leg 5 seconds after it was broken. He will be good again, and will probably score the winner against England at some point.
I am fully aware of events in Seville earlier this season, but to say someone will die due to a challenge is a bit excessive Simon. I do not see how that can happen unless they go for the neck.
Your reaction above is very much like Wengers immediately after the incident. He however retracted what he said. I am also very concerned that you used your sky+ box to view the incident over and over, seeing a man leg do that once was once too many for me. If they do all this for football, then what are you doing for journalism.
from 4 months ago
Oh for god's sake mark - I meant his livelihood! What else is he going to do apart from play football - none or little education, no qualifications - please stop reading more into my articles than is there!!!
I find you insulting me on my writing begining to irk me - you will criticise me if I say nothing, yet castigate me for formulating an opinion? That doesn't seem very fair to me! And as for seeing over and over again - I did not enjoy it, not one iota, so kindly do not intimate that.
How can you break the incident down properly without studying the incident in question? So you will base all your opinions on hear say now without study and investigation? That's what journalism is about, and don't you forget it!!! We're not all Daily Star readers, you know...
from 4 months ago
you put life, am I meant to guess what is written, or read what was there? it has been changed now either way. If it's written I will comment. I annoy most the writers on here, not just you, mainly as my opinions do differ.
Also to Suggest that Daily star readers are by some means lower than yourself is well... I wont go on, dont want an FA fine.
I never said you enjoyed watching it over and over. Then however why do it? You are at uni, surely you have better things to do than watch that 5+ times.
If you wish to be a journalist, you must learn to accept criticism Simon, I am your mate, I would not deliberately lay into your work. Be it myself or any other person commenting some of your replies have been unjust. All I said was that you over-reacted, and yet you respond by saying I insulted you. Yet 1 paragraph later insult anyone who reads tabloid newspapers.
4 months ago
Sorry Simon but Eduardo will play again and I think it was a freak accident...The tackle wasn't great but he did as fas as im concerned make an attempt for the ball. These injuries happen and I've seen it countless times though freak incidents.
How can you say a premier league footballer was never taught to tackle properly? Well he can't have been doing it too badly considering he ispalying in arguably the best league in football.
You can add busst cisse larsson, none of which were horrendous tackles, but were the worst injuries.
What kind of statement is 'he will probably never play again'? This is the 21st century and he is already expected back by xmas. Yes if he hadnt got the right treatment staight away, it would have been a dif story.
Players used to do far worse when it was just a game Simon...Football may be a business but on the field football is football and I have no prob with it!
4 months ago
I can only assume you have never seen footage of Bert Trautman breaking his neck from an FA Cup final in the 1950's (and played on!), or of other similar incidents from times when players were literally allowed to run and jump at a goalkeeper, even when they had the ball in both hands.
None of us can predict whether Eduardo will play again, we are not privvy to his Dr's analysis at this stage, and neither can we predict the future in terms of how his injury will heal and whether any complications will arise.
Taylor made an attempt for the ball, it was an ugly tackle because of the injury it caused, that is all, the tackle itself was no worse than would have been seen 100 times up and down the country that very afternoon. These types of injuries are freak occurences, we only have the Busst and Cisse incidents to remind us of them, so thats 3 incidents of this magnitude in 12 years. Those sort of stats hardly bring need for a wholesale review of the game.
It is similar to when someone dies or is brain damaged in boxing. For a few months afterwards there is much sensationalist ranting in the media about how this barbaric sport should be banned. Then common sense prevails, and those who CHOOSE to partake in the sport carry on as they were.
If you choose to take part in any physical activity, you run the risk of injury, Eduardo has said as much himself and does not blame Taylor for the incident. Taylor himself has been to see Eduardo twice in hospital, to offer his apologies and to ease his own conscience partly, but also because by all accounts he is a nice guy who did not intend to cause any damage, let alone the level of damage that occured.
If Eduardo can forgive and forget, when it is his career on the line, and his major tournament he will miss in the summer, then why do others feel the need to be so sensationalist on his behalf?
from 4 months ago
Simon
All of that sounds good......but I still prefer the comparison you made between E da Silva's injury and your aunt breaking her finger up your uncles arse.
4 months ago
My name i Jovan I live in Dojran,Macedonia.I Love Eduardo da silva...My favorite player is Eduardo de silva...My favorite club is Arsenal... Sorry Eduardo... I LOVE YOU!
I and my frend Borce...
4 months ago
My name is Luka I live in Nova Gradiska,Croatia.You are my best player.Sorry eduardo.
ŽELIM TI BRZ OPORAVAK.-in croatia
4 months ago
I wish EDUARDO a speedy recovery and I beleive he can recover from that horrible injury.
Baoketsi in Gaborone-Botswana(Africa)
from 4 months ago
I wish EDUARDO a heafty lawsuit to compensate for a lost career.
4 months ago
They caught Taylor at training practice doing the same exact tackle 45 hours after that horrible moment on Saturday. And do I think he should be banned from football, yes. (this is not the heat of the moment) It might sound cruel towards the fella, but if you do a lousy job at something, you will get fired, no matter which job it is. Now, not only did he ruin a supremely bright career of the best player of the Croatian national team (he's a hero between all football fans in croatia), saddened up and frustrated most of Croatia, he made a black mental mark on the young lad. It hurted me when I first heard of it, but when I saw the pics I was completely devastated. There was even a chance he lost his foot?!?! His whole life, in his 25 years he's been doing nothing but concentrating on playing football, and it is quite pointless of yet again mentioning that he's doing a hell of a job accomplishing it. And because of one lousy tackle (3rd game from the beginning of the season and 2nd tackle?) he almost crashed that dream into pieces. Taylor can be a hell of a guy and he probably is, but it really would be a shame to see him on the pitch again. That really hurts.
I wish Eduardo returns as soon as possible, and my thoughts are with him.
4 months ago
This situation must be handled by FIFA for the English Federation is so silent to what has happened, it seems like the are co -participants of this horrific event. Silence means everything is OK, hiding in those opinions that describe this incident as a product of bad luck. See the pictures , those pictures do not decive the good intelect of a reasonable person . If this case happened to a good english player the whole english federation and its supporters would use their influence to castigate such event, player and team.
4 months ago
There are far worse tackles every week in the EPL and because no one gets hurt, nothing is done. Taylor deserves to play again and he will when he is mentally ready. Most people are supporting him and it's a shame seeing people calling for him to be banned...
And anyway it's never going to happen!!!
from 4 months ago
I must point out that I am not asking Taylor to be banned Andrew. What I want is a return to teaching players how to tackle properly and safely - surely you agree with that?
If this was rugby, the obvious counterpart is a high tackle around the chest or neck - where a player hasn't tackled his opponent properly and thus injures them. Just an example. Players are taught to tackle properly in Rugby (and punished if they don't), why shouldn't we in football?
from 4 months ago
Actually if you researched Martin Taylor’s disciplininary record you will find that he has only been booked six times in almost nine years since he played his first professional game. So you are picking a pretty poor example when you say that we need to teach players how to tackle properly and safely – Taylor obviously knows a thing or two about this as it’s one of his primary jobs as a defender in the professional game, and he is obviously not too bad at it to only have been adjudged to have commited a foul worthy of a yellow card on six occassions in around 200 games.
In conclusion I think we can say that Taylor knows how to tackle and doesn’t need to be patronised by people telling him this skill will need to be taught to him. What we can also conclude though is that as human beings, footballers do make mistakes and this was one of them – not a delibrate foul just misjudged and mistimed, and with cruel consequences. Unfortunately this is and always will be part of the game of football, and indeed any game where physical contact is involved.
4 months ago
That's a gut wrenching injury for anyone to suffer and then have that quite possibly curtail one's career. Hopefully he'll be able to stay involved in the game in some capacity.
tophatal ..................
4 months ago
This obviously shows you know nothing about football. The only reason Eduardo(not to balme him for being good) got caught was because he was quicker to the ball than Taylor(you try and tackle with your studs facing the floor its damn near impossble, please watch the video he was inches away from the ball) and thats unlucky for both as they have both become victims in completely different ways. And for the fact that he will never play again this is the biggest crock of shite i've ever heard and he only broke his tib and fib and thats only a 8/9 month injury and with the fact he plays for Arsenal means he will have the best treatment anyone can get. So before you write something about a sport you dont actually play do some research cos these things happen .
from 4 months ago
Nicky,
Relax. Breathe, count down from 3 to 1, then up from 1 to 3. I write for this site too, and I research articles, like I'm sure this writer did. You disagree, which is fine, but one article doesn't prove he knows nothing about football. I'm sure he does. The injury is horrific, but I've heard from other sources that Eduardo may never play again. So don't attack the author for that, he may play again, but it's not outside the realm of reality that he will never suit up again.
Why don't you try writing something, then you can be open to criticism. You'll realize how little good going on an angry rant like this, without giving the author any kind of constructive criticism that he can work with and improve upon.
Simon, don't get discouraged by all this negativity, keep honing your craft and keep writing. Cheers. ~Jarek
from 4 months ago
Nicky, you have no idea.
A single bad tackle forced me out of the game, aged seventeen, and it was a two footed challenge from behind. I can barely move my ankle to do my daily running, let alone play football properly.
I have done quite a bit of research. For starters, I travelled 200 miles yesterday to visit the hospital Eduardo is currently at for some more research (sadly not from the horse's mouth, so to speak), and the amount of stories going around about Eduardo is amazing. He has had five different doctors look over him and only two agree on what to do and the outcome so far!!!
Actually, tackling with your studs aimed to the floor is not difficult if you are trained to do so. That is what used to happen. My article was intended to highlight the problems we face now where players are not taught to tackle safely and properly. Taylor may not have intended to injure Taylor badly - but his intent was to give him a shock. I dare say Martin Taylor will think twice about tackling in such a manner in the future.
I'd like to know why you think an 8/9 month injury is only an 8/9 month injury. That is the time to heal the wound. You have not taken into account re-training, fitness to reclaim, match practise and the suchlike. If he does come back (and believe me, it is by no means certain - no sports injury is ever 100% recoverable), then it will be much longer than 8/9 months. Trust me.
Lastly, insulting me does not tend itself well to your own comments. Remember that in future. In order to gain respect, one must work with respect for others.
Jarek, you are a gent. I have no intention of getting discouraged by anyone (for controversy is my middle name ;) and research is my surname), but I thank you for your kind words.
4 months ago
i am sure if it was one of the foreign players who broke the leg of Rooney or Owen now we wouldn't be saying this nonsense. i remember all what Sky sports and all you xenophobic idiots said two years ago when Essien did not even touch Hyppia and more recently when one Cameroonian player merely kicked out at an Aberdeen or was it Rangers player in the Uefa cup. what double standards!
4 months ago
Nicky you are talking out of your backside that needs that Taylor kick to feel the pain that Eduardo is feeling. Simon you talked sense and that is why I'm replying to these type of idiots. Only the idiots who think these kind of things happen. No it should not happen to anyone and it can be irradiated. Its a shame when you hear football managers encourage these sort of tackles. Tackling is an art not a dirty business. Remember what happened to Pedro Duscher the guy who broke David Bekham’s metatarsal while playing for M.utd was enemy number one and the media referred to him as “an international pariah” they hounded him for months and humiliated him in every way they can. not this time. Why? Because Eduardo is not Bekham. Had it been Rooney Taylor will be arrested. Hypocrites
4 months ago
I Think that taylor should be kicked out of football for that horrible tackle that was like the worst game i went to because of that tackle so hopfully this go's in to action and something happens about it thank you William Hadaway
4 months ago
I Think that taylor should be kicked out of football for that horrible tackle that was like the worst game i went to because of that tackle so hopfully this go's in to action and something happens about it thank you William Hadaway
4 months ago
Well Simon, i play football at decent standard and i only have to referr you to the ex man city player i think call busst, he tackled studs down and look what happend to him, he broke his leg so bad he had to retire. and the 8/9 month is included retraining and all the other little bits.just look at smith he had the same sort of injury and he was back within 9 months. and i feel sorry for you on how your football career ended so early but i wasn't saying anything about twoo footed tackles or tackles from behind as i feel they are dangerous. and Taylor may have wanted to give eduardo a shock but that happens up and down the country weekend. fair play to travel to the hospital. wish i had the time or a car to do so.
and anonymous(put your name on it)
The tackle on beckham wasnt a back tackle either he just caught him and you can break your metatarsels easier than anything and for rooney he aint that good.and these thing can happen and how many people who play amateur football get attention with 30 seconds of hitting the floor, so eduardo will have the best treatment and sleeping in an oxygen tent to speed recovery up. and by referring to beckham your saying croatia are a one man team and without eduardo there a rubbish team.
4 months ago
It's a tough decision to decide if the injury was intentional. Taylor certainly meant to tackle right at Eduardo's ankle but I'm pretty sure that an injury, especially so hard, was not his intention at all. The real question here is his punishment. I'm not a person to ask, since I'm from Croatia, where Eduardo is really popular, and, happen to know him in person. He's a really cool guy, very modest.
I heard some propositions that when an injury like this occurs a player affecting the injury should stay off field for the duration of the injury. I think it's worth some thinking and refining. FIFA needs to decide for which tipe of tackles this punishment would apply and so on. And I'm not into this only because of Eduardo. I found out about this proposition long time ago and this situation only brought it up.
Anyway, I hope he'll get well soon and continue to play as he used to. He's such a talent and it would be a shame to see him only as a spectator for the rest of his life.
4 months ago
I broke my leg in 2006 but it was nothing like eduardo's broken leg his is disgusting
4 months ago
I agree with you man. Some guys just don't know how to tackle anymore! And roughness has became the way to defend in the EPL. Look at other championships they have better defense with "softer" defenser who just know how to sweep a good tackle. The reference for tackling to me, is Lilian Thuram. He is also a great defender who never broke anyone's leg. Btw I ll always be amazed by this stat: during World Cup 2006, Thuram won 95per100 of his one on one, just great.
4 months ago
Nicky- call me Joe Blogg. I'm only having a go at you because you just given up to the idea "Shit happens" We should not brush these type of incidents aside. Football is awashed with money instead of putting more efforts into irradiating injuries inflected by players on other players the Premier league all they are thinking about is making more money. its no coincidence its always the gifted players get the stick. Most managers when they see a big stupid fella with no skills they say put him in defence. Most defenders like goalkeepers don't know how to dribble or pass the ball they purely there to hack other players. This perception should change and the football authorities should spend more time putting pressure on clubs to clean up their acts rather than always thinking where the next buck is going to come from. Look at Rio of M.utd and Toure of Arsenal the best defenders in the league. Why? because they can actually play football as well and they very rarely get booked.
4 months ago
Such a blow to the league. I live over in Canada and play indoor soccer twice a week. that injury was on the minds of players tonight and everyone agrees that the game can get out of control with the big money and like someone mentioned with hockey. I agree. Hell, back in the 50's they didn't wear helmets and goalies no masks, I think there was respect. This is missing it seems.
I know there is a guy from south american, who can clearly run circles around my skills, but I can't imagine hitting the guy or hacking at him.
I hope this guy, Martin is taken out of the game. He has sent an example now, he needs to go.
4 months ago
BRAZILIAN PLAYERS SHOULD STAY AWAY FROM THESE WEAKER LEAGUES.
The players in these leagues tend to make up for their lack of talent with violence.
4 months ago
BRAZILIAN PLAYERS SHOULD STAY AWAY FROM THESE WEAKER LEAGUES.
The players in these leagues tend to make up for their lack of talent with violence.
from 4 months ago
the brazilian players spend most of their time rolling around on the floor anyway, hopefully now they no what the hell and injury acutally is.
4 months ago
Man, is that
4 months ago
Man is that all you can say? You posted this comment to all the articles talking aobut this issue!!!
4 months ago
"He fully intended a crude, malicious challenge."
Completely and utterly disagree. His starting position is paramount as the counter-point in your argument. He was only a few yards away and if you watch his eyes and the ball position before Eduardo passed it you would note that he was aiming for the ball not the man.
"Eduardo is wearing slightly longer studs (with moulded blades intended to grip a wet or damp playing surface better), and therefore his leg was acting as an anchor—the studs of Taylor's boot caught his leg, which crumpled under the weight of the heavy challenge. The rest is too grisly to describe."
It has nothing to do with the size of blades or the condition of the pitch. From the position of his pass he had his toe slanted down towards the ground; this meant that if a strong challenge occured the most likely point of fracture would be at the ankle join. This is what happened.
Can we please leave this subject now. Stud tackles happen week-in-week-out, malicious or not it is a common practice in any league. It is in the culture of our game and will never change because it (the slide tackle) is an integral part of our sport.
4 months ago
I'm glad this is TV. Even watching the thing some people still insist that this was unintended.
If this were radio it would have been "silly Eduardo fell all on his own and broke his leg"
Give it up people.....everyone can see the footage.
"He fully intended a crude, malicious challenge" is absolutely correct.
3 months ago
Ban Taylor for life.
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