** Reply to message from The Geissmans <[log in to unmask]> on Mon, 2 Aug 2004 20:41:43 -0700

Doesn't explain why one player sat out a game while another player from another team in the same competition did not. And I have to assume (maybe that's dangerous??) that the Chairman of Chelsea (Kenyon) would know what he's talking about when he says that Chelsea will observe FIFA regulations and sit Kezman for a 1 game suspension. Surely Chelsea knows the FIFA regulations.

So if Kenyon is correct then why didn't Roma's DaCourt also sit out one game?

Nothing makes sense UNLESS Kenyon and Chelsea were misinformed about the regulations. But there's a HUGE hole in that theory. Roma's game was a day BEFORE Chelsea's, so Chelsea surely knew that DaCourt had not sat out his game. Seeing that Chelsea would surely have realized that maybe the FIFA regs did not apply to this tournament, and they would have played Kezman.

I just don't understand how Chelsea could have said on U.S. television that FIFA regulations require Kezman to sit out a game when Chelsea clearly knew that DaCourt and Roma had not followed that same standard.

Very strange. Gil

> Is it possible that "international friendly" means one country against another > country, and only extends to club teams when the competition is organized > by one of the federations or FIFA itsels (e.g., UEFA Champions Cup), which > the current exhibition series is not? > > >OK, somebody explain this to me, because something wacky is going on with this > >series of games going on now in the U.S. > > > >A couple of nights ago Chelsea played AS Roma. In that match Kezman (Chelsea) > >and DaCourt (Roma) were sent off. DaCourt for a crude hack from behind at the > >leg of Chelsea's Robben, and Kezman for mixing it up in retaliation. DaCourt's > >send-off was a slam-dunk for a really crude kick when Robben had beaten him up > >the wing. Kezman's was technically correct, but a yellow probably would have > >been sufficient since it was more swatting at the air than landing any blows. > >(Handbags at 6 paces??? :o) > > > >Now, when a player is sent off, even in a friendly, he/she is supposed to sit > >out the next match (1 game suspension at a minimum). Before tonight's game the > >CEO of Chelsea confirmed that per FIFA regulations Kezman would sit out the > >game. > > > >However, in Saturday's match (Celtic vs Roma) DaCourt played, despite being > >sent off in that previous match vs Chelsea. > > > >So, what's the deal? Why does Kezman serve a 1 game suspension while DaCourt > >does not? > > > >Anyone have the answer?