Source: Daily_Mail
Graham Poll: Ronaldo is a special player, but NOT a special case
When Cristiano Ronaldo is in top form he can be an absolute pleasure to referee, dazzling with his ability on the ball and possessing real charm off it.[LNB]It's another joy to stand just a few metres away when he hits a free-kick in that unique style, straight into the top corner.[LNB]However, that Ronaldo has been missing for much of this season and, as a result, a lot of referees would not be disappointed to see the back of the petulant, sulking individual who was fortunate to receive only a yellow card at Craven Cottage on Saturday.[LNB] Christiano Ronaldo is given a warning by referee Phil Dowd at Craven Cottage[LNB]His frustrations were clear when they culminated in a crude, lunging challenge on Danny Murphy which saw him cautioned.[LNB] More from Graham Poll... Graham Poll: Sam's right - diving is all the fault of weak referees[LNB]20/03/09 Graham Poll: Wiley deserves a big hand[LNB]15/03/09 Graham Poll: Alan has to be wily with Benitez bunch[LNB]13/03/09 Graham Poll: Time to Taylor rules in favour of fair decisions[LNB]06/03/09 Graham Poll: It's like watching Match of the Day in the Seventies[LNB]05/03/09 Graham Poll: Foy had common sense but Ronaldo's reputation cost him[LNB]02/03/09 Graham Poll: No way Jose, that was a refereeing masterclass in Milan[LNB]27/02/09 GRAHAM POLL: Gunners move backfires as player power takes a hit[LNB]25/02/09 VIEW FULL ARCHIVE[LNB]Not content with that escape, he continued to react to opponents and match officials inan unacceptable manner, especially when he refused initially to advance towards Phil Dowd.[LNB]Fortunately, this referee stood his ground; others might have been weaker.[LNB]In fact, Dowd used all his man-management skill to keep Ronaldo on the pitch - invoking the Respect programme approved method of appealing to Ronaldo's captain, Ryan Giggs, to try to defuse flashpoints.[LNB]Another referee - maybe this referee - might not have been so lenient.[LNB]I suspect Dowd might have sent him off if he hadn't already dismissed Paul Scholesearlier in the game.[LNB]One red will always make a referee think twice about a second dismissal. It's human nature. Although Ronaldo's escape may have later contributed to Wayne Rooney's red.[LNB] Players can't win them all. Blaming referees for 'forcing out' Ronaldo is disingenuous. I don't recall Gianfranco Zola or Thierry Henry speaking such nonsense.[LNB]When a player is renowned for going to ground too easily and too often it is difficult to get each and every foul correct.[LNB]When that player then reacts with moral indignation and incredulity at the referee'sdetection rate, is it any wonder that the referee can lose patience?[LNB]Of course, the referees love refereeing the best players in the world and want as many as possible in the Premier League - including Ronaldo - but there can be no special cases.[LNB] You're kicking me out: United blame weak referees as battered Cristiano Ronaldo plots his exit[LNB]Marked man or a cry baby? Ronaldo may use refs as official excuse to call it quits at United[LNB]MANCHESTER UNITED FC NEWS FROM ACROSS THE NET[LNB][LNB] [LNB]
