In the first picture we see Feyenoord's Brazilian defender Andre Bahia getting close and personal with Ajax's Suarez. The two of them are really feeling the love, they're that close together. If they're not feeling the love, they're at least feeling each other (up).
In the second picture we see Feyenoord's veteran striker Michael Mols going down whilst being held back by Ajax's young wing-back Urby Emmanuelson. Mols is obviously not into cuddling and is showing his disdain towards this treatment by screaming. Urby, on the other hand, looks quite shocked Mols isn't into cuddling. Feel the love, brother!
Quite similar cases, wouldn’t you agree? If anything, you’d say that the foul on Mols wasn’t quite as bad as the one on Bahia. Mols’ action even looks a bit theatrical, spreading his arms wide and shouting whilst on the way down. Still, similar cases, were it not for the reputation of Suarez and the attitude of the Feyenoord supporters, the famous band called “Het Legioen” (The Legion).
Referee Erik Braamhaar decided to give a free-kick to Feyenoord in our first case. Suarez was deemed to have taken a dive. According to the referee, there was nothing wrong with the way Andre Bahia defended against the Uruguayan forward. Fair enough. That’s his decision.
Whether I agree or not, I can respect his decision.
Now in the second case, referee Erik Braamhaar decides that Feyenoord has earned a penalty that can put them level at 2-2. Look at the pictures. The first foul was a more severe one compared to the second one. The first foul was rewarded with a free-kick, the second one with a penalty.
A bit inconsistent, if you ask me. It may have something to do with the odd 55,000 Feyenoord fans screaming their lungs out asking for a penalty.
Now I’m okay with the second penalty decision. Technically, Mols was being held back, ergo a foul was made. What I’m not okay with, is the fact that a more severe foul on another player was not rewarded the same way, just because the player being fouled was not playing for the home-side and had the reputation of going down easily.
In itself, the second reason is perfectly understandable. Suarez brought this on himself, even though his behaviour has improved in the last season. But when there’s this much money at stake and when decisions can be this important to a match,
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