Source: Daily_Mail
Kenny Dalglish: The FA should get their own house in order before dishing out punishment
You cannot condone swearing but it's too simplistic to say Wayne Rooney's outburst at West Ham will influence the youth of the nation. If you hear a young kid swearing, it's more likely to be because he or she picked it up walking down the street or in the school playground.[LNB]Thirty years ago you wouldn't hear a swear word on television but somehow most 15-year-olds still got to learn about the words from somewhere. So it's an exaggeration to say youngsters pick up all their habits from TV.[LNB]What concerns me is that by punishing Rooney and getting a week's headlines out of it the authorities are pushing more serious matters under the carpet. We've just heard two men, former Football Association chairman Lord Triesman and Premier League chairman and FA board member Sir Dave Richards, have an argument over who gave the England national team manager, Fabio Capello, a new deal before the World Cup.[LNB] Bickering: Lord Triesman (left) and Sir Dave Richards both deny responsibility for Fabio Capello's new contract[LNB]The deal has been called a 'mistake' by the FA themselves but these two gentlemen contradicted each other over who was responsible. It was said at a parliamentary inquiry it was Triesman who agreed it. Triesman subsequently denied it, but Richards then told MPs the following week that the peer was responsible.[LNB]Those are two very influential men in our game in recent times and, putting it kindly, they can't both be telling the whole truth.[LNB]That, for me, is far more concerning and wide-reaching than Rooney swearing and I think a lot of other people agree. It's disconcerting to see the FA so happy to take the moral high ground and dish out punishments when their own house doesn't always seem to be in order.[LNB]Rooney has become an easy target. If he swore in front of a camera as an actor or musician, his star value would probably be enhanced. Plenty of industries seem to encourage outrageous behaviour.[LNB] Rage: Wayne Rooney was banned after his foul-mouthed rant at a TV camera[LNB]He isn't picked by Manchester United and England because he claims to be the perfectly-behaved human being. He is picked because he is great at football. Unfortunately for him, he's in an industry with plenty of differing interests and where blame has to be apportioned.[LNB]And, by the way, I'm not saying what Rooney did was big or clever.[LNB]He himself apologised very quickly afterwards and knows his talent doesn't give him carte blanche to behave how he wants. I'm just saying we should get things in proportion. What is for sure, United will miss him in next Saturday's FA Cup semifinal against Manchester City.[LNB]He was the best player on the pitch in last week's Champions League first leg at Chelsea and any team who face a United team without Rooney know it gives them an advantage, despite Fergie having other top-line strikers like Javier Hernandez and Dimitar Berbatov to call on.[LNB] More from Kenny Dalglish... Kenny Dalglish: Fabio doesn't want his players burned out and neither do we...02/04/11 Kenny Dalglish: 96 reasons why we must never go back to the terraces26/03/11 Kenny Dalglish: If Terry was wrong man a year ago, why is he right now? 19/03/11 Kenny Dalglish: The way Barca play makes Xavi and Messi look so good12/03/11 Kenny Dalglish: Survival or victory in the Cup? Sorry, there's only one winner and Houllier was spot on05/03/11 Kenny Dalglish: Arsenal and Wenger deserves to end six-year drought26/02/11 Kenny Dalglish: Football may pay a high price for this final insult19/02/11 Kenny Dalglish: Can Wilshere make his mark against real giants of football?12/02/11 VIEW FULL ARCHIVE I think United are the biggest losersin this, going to Wembley without their best player. They have been punished more than anyone, certainly more than any television viewer whobriefly caught Rooney's outburst at Upton Park.[LNB]That was over so quickly, I don't think most people would have realised what was said without all the repeats. United are a much better team when Rooney plays so, by implication, his absence gives City a better chance. In my view, it slightly tilts the odds in their favour.[LNB]People are beginning to talk about United's Treble chances but I don't think Sir Alex Ferguson will be thinking along those lines. It wasn't long ago that Arsenal were being tipped to have a go at winning four trophies. What is possible and what actually happens in the end are two different things.[LNB]It has been said United haven't been at their best this season but don't go along with the theory that they've somehow muddled their way into this position.[LNB]Top of the Premier League, favouritesto reach the Champions League final, an FA Cup semi-final. Every other club must wish they were that average.[LNB] Advantage City? United will be without Rooney for their semi-final clash with their bitter rivals[LNB]United have an extremely strong squadand it takes many years to build that up properly. It's not only about acquiring and developing the players either. When a manager like Fergie is in charge for a long time, he gets to know the players inside-out andthat helps his judgment when deciding which individuals to pick for which games.[LNB]It's unfortunate for him he won't have Rooney next weekend. I wonder what Lord Triesman, Dave Richards andall those who listened to the parliamentary inquiry think about that.[LNB]Sir Alex Ferguson wasn't the only one in football with an interest in the Grand National. I had That's Rhythm in the Liverpool FC sweepstake, I liked the name until I found out it was 150-1. Not surprisingly, it fell at the first fence! Joey Barton appears to have passed comment on who the best midfielders are in the country. So I'd like to give Liverpool captain Steve Gerrard a plug at what is a difficult time for him with injuries.[LNB]Steven is the best, full stop. I've known him for years, but it's only since January I've had the privilege to work with him up close. He has been fantastic and often puts his club, and country, before himself and he has played when maybe he shouldn't have.[LNB]The work he has put in to get himself fit has been incredible. He has put his body through the mincer to play and deserves a bit of luck over injuries. Hopefully the prolonged break to rest his groin injury will see him return as strong as ever and still the best midfielder in England.[LNB] Unlucky Luka is my player of the yearThe PFA Player of the Year has seven worthy nominees. But the player I would vote for isn't among them. [LNB]With apologies to Samir Nasri, Nemanja Vidic, Scott Parker, Gareth Bale, Rafael van der Vaart, Charlie Adam and Carlos Tevez, the best player I've seen this season is Luka Modric at Tottenham.[LNB]He is the driving force behind a Spurs team who have had another great season in the Premier League and Champions League. The little Croat can spot a pass, run with the ball and just keep the team ticking along.[LNB] Top dog? Modric has shone in Spurs' midfield but missed out on the Player of the Year nominations[LNB]I can only think he has suffered in terms of being nominated by having two maybe more eye-catching team-mates, Bale and Van der Vaart, and the PFA felt they couldn't include three Spurs players. It is a shame for Modric that Spurs were beaten heavily by Real Madrid but even if the tie has gone, it would be justice if he performed at his best in the second leg at White Hart Lane to show he's right up there among the best.[LNB]Of those nominated, Bale lit up the Champions League, especially against Inter Milan. I've been impressed with Vidic, too, and Adam is a valid contender despite Blackpool being near the bottom.[LNB]In the Young Player of the Year, I'd plump for Javier Hernandez, of Manchester United, narrowly ahead of Arsenal's Jack Wilshere. To score more than 15 goals in a debut season is impressive enough but it has made the difference with United chasing three trophies.[LNB] [LNB] Explore more:People: Alex Ferguson, Fabio Capello, Jack Wilshere, Joey Barton, Nemanja Vidic, Luka Modric, Wayne Rooney, Dimitar Berbatov, Carlos Tevez, Gareth Bale, Charlie Adam Places: Liverpool, United Kingdom Organisations: Football Association
