FA Cup - Babel charged over Webb Twitter pic
Ryan Babel has been charged with improper conduct for mocking up a picture of referee Howard Webb in the aftermath of Liverpool's FA Cup exit to Manchester United.
The Netherlands international used his Twitter account to criticise Webb and post a mocked-up picture (below) of the official wearing a United shirt, after the World Cup final referee awarded the home side a first-minute penalty and sent off Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard.
Babel apologised soon afterwards but the FA have decided to make him the first Premier League player to be brought to book over the use of Twitter.
Babel also wrote: "And they call him one of the best referees? That's a joke. SMH."
SMH is an abbreviation for "shaking my head" but the 24-year-old since added: "My apology if they take my posted pic seriously. This is just an emotional reaction after losing an important game. Sorry Howard Webb."
Punishment for Twitter rants are common in other sports, with Kevin Pietersen among several cricketers to fall foul of the ECB for comments made on the website.
But Babel is no stranger to using the site for vent his spleen, having criticised former Reds manager Rafael Benitez last January, and he is not the first Liverpool player to court online controversy this weekend.
On Saturday, defender Glen Johnson, who missed Sunday's game as his wife had gone into labour, launched an attack on TV pundit Paul Merson after he criticised his performances for the Reds.
"Comments from alcoholic drug abusers are not really gonna upset me and who is Paul Merson to judge players, he was average at the best of times," Johnson wrote. "The only reason he's on that show is coz he gambled all his money away. The clown!"
A number of people complained that Johnson had brought up Merson's former drug problems and the comments were soon deleted.
Back to Sunday - and new Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish called Webb's penalty decision a "joke" and also disputed Gerrard's dismissal, but his son Paul, the former Newcastle striker, went even further via his own Twitter account.
He claimed: "Fergie has his puppet Howard Webb on a piece of string."
He also made fun of Webb being given an MBE at the start of the year, adding: "Howard Webb MBE. Manc of the Busby Empire."
Comment 563 - 582 of 582
let us face reality, Babel was rigjt, go and check record of all web mu match officiating u wiil nitice that it was all intentional. good job Babel
that is just horrible
This man should be banned for all Man United match offciating. He demolished the football lovers' sentiments for Man U. Liverpool what a poor performance. I think the referee has a lot soft corner for Man United. One man during his career should not be called as Sir. This should be post career.
shame you cheeky b.a.stard!!!
I thought we were living in a free country. Silly me...
Augustine ,576, i guess all your comments are based on the premis that , repeating the same cack over and over , means you'll be right one day . . . get Babel to teach you how to Tw atter , keep ya fumbs busy !
lets face it,if it was liverpool, who had the advantage on sunday,im 100 per cent sure they wouldnt be moaning about howard webb nor would the shittest player ive seen for a long time ( BABEL ) play for the whinging gits be moaning either..after all he may have made a mistake by sending stevie g off but if that happenend at anfield,@#$% all would b said by them..its life.. & its football,sometimes u get the rub of the green,other times u dont...
liverpool should thank refree because when they had 11 players they were playing @#$% its only when 10 men were playing they start looking dangerous.............
Both decisions were justifiable, but I have to say the problem isn't Howard Webb, once again it is the poor quality of English premier referees in general. They often fail to perform well and consistently, especially on a big stage, where they seem to think it is a pre-requisite of the occasion that they suddenly puff themselves up to preposterous dimensions and ref like some grotesque french mime artist. And why do they have to run backwards when beckoning a player towards them? It does nothing but annoy everyone. Yet this has been going on for years and will until, like golf and rugby for example, the Football league puts the onus on the managers and clubs (with proper penalties for arguing and conning) to conduct themselves properly.
Babel surposed to praised for his bold move,people have been saying it all the time about mr webb,he is a cheater and one of the most dubious ref in England take it or you forget it.He is not only in man u side but he attacks players that he knew that will give man u a turf time.Remenber what happend between man u and tottingham last two seasons when spurs where beating man u 2-0 in oldtraford and after halt time he mr webb gave a dubious penalty to his club man u and a yello card to the keeper, from that action of mr webb, spurs became upset in field of play and lost control and man u won.At the end the stupid criminal webb apollogised for the penalty but thats how he has been doing.he and FA knew what they are doing.
i actually found this picture pretty funny and im a united fan and YES i live in manchester and YES i got to alot of home games. Imo the penalty was a penalty.. as for the red card i feel it was a bit harsh if i was a ref i probably would of just given a yellow for it but saying that it was a two footed challenge and both feet were off the ground there for it was dangerous play and should of been red carded.
i think that we should wait and see what happens a red card is a 3 match ban if Gerrard appeals or not and weather the appeal is accepted should show us what certain people made of the challenge
I know it was never a penalty in a month of Sundays- but moneys money- what can I tell you?
I know it was never a penalty in a month of Sundays- but moneys money- what can I tell you?
I know it was never a penalty in a month of Sundays- but moneys money- what can I tell you?
I know it was never a penalty in a month of Sundays- but moneys money- what can I tell you?
Manu are vulnerable at the moment. They dont have strong team to beat any team. SAF and his brainless staff members are responsible for current failure
SAF always fields 14 players at Old Trafford. Besides, who the F**K is Ryan Babel? Who gives a s**t what he has to say anyways?
If they suspend him for a game or two, he's a fringe player filling roster space until the next big NESV signing goes through.
Assuming they buy anyone.
Men, I love this pic. Most ref. need to put on this jersey instead of the black or yellow FIFA wears at Old Traford because of their performances. Maybe the crowd, i dont know but they tend to fa.... the home team. Against Liverpool, Gerald's red card was deserved while the early penalty was human error, at least refs( i love them) are human.
Babbel rubsih
In reply to willthered.
Whats in a logo?
Mel is 40 this July.
Could have been a secret fan for a long time.
The cream eventually always comes up to the top, and people eventually show their true colours, even if it by body language!
I bet all the managers of all the teams that still have to play Man U this season are quietly hoping Mr Howard Melton Webb will be on duty in Rotherham!
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