The suspension of the two key players (Adane and Saladin) for 1 and 2 years respectively is not only a tragedy, but also a disaster. It is a disaster not only for St George club, but also to the national team. A player suspended for two years can never ever play again. These are good players. They are not easily replaceable. It was in 1982 we participated in the nations cup. We have not been in the African Cup of Nations for 28 years. The national team has no good striker. Suspending the top striker of the country FOR TWO SOLID YEARS at this time when the national team needs good players for the upcoming qualification game against Nigeria, guinea and Madagascar is a sabotage against the national team by itself. It is utter indifference to the success of the nation in soccer.
There are many other ways of disciplining our young and promising players. I am not saying no fault is committed on that fateful day. Yes, the players were at fault even though the referee and the federation have contributed to the disaster. Let us see the genesis of the problem. A goal was scored. A St George player said to the referee it was off-side. The player red carded. Another player said to the referee, can’t we complain? Why is red-carded? The second red card given so on and so forth.
According to my sources, this same referee had red carded three St George players on another game earlier on. On another note, there are disciplinary issues pending with the federation i.e, not yet decided upon for a long time. This time it was St George on target and it took them just three or four days to arrive at their harsh and irrational conclusion. If asked why the rush, they have no answer. The prescribed penalty under the law is from 6 months up to 2 years. Why the maximum? They have no answer again. Moreover they didn’t bother themselves to talk to the players. I heard Saladin has a serious accusation against the referee. They denied him his right to be heard before being penalized. Maybe their rule says they can decide only on the report of the referee and the commissioner.
The commissioner can’t hear what the discussion was about between the referee and the players. The referee can easily make up a story and fabricate false accusation. His report needs to be balanced. In view of this, talking to the players could have straightened the record. The Bible reads, “any story sounds true until you hear the other side of the story which straightens the record”. Anyways, the club and the players have appealed against the harsh decision which actually was not meant to educate or reform the players but to take vengeance both against the club and the players. I really don’t know why they hate the club to this extent. I heard from different sources the club had long ago submitted its complaint against referee bamlak. If that is true, the federation shouldn’t have assigned that referee on that day.
The federation had to investigate St George’s complaint before assigning the referee. The club, St George, is a good one, it contributes a lot to soccer development and improvement, it helps clubs with financial problem. It helps individuals with severe injury. It sends players of other clubs for treatment abroad. This club does a lot of good things to help the nation, other clubs and individual players. The club spends several hundreds thousands dollars for treatment of players. Ali of Buna could be treated by the help of this club. Sheik Dr Mohamod Al Amuudin helped all those players on behalf of St George. It is because St George is there this gentleman could help many players. Something is wrong somewhere. We need to call a conference with the federation and other clubs to discuss why they are so much against this club.
LONG LIVE ST GEORGE!
Guangul Teshager
Yes, I agree that there is something smoking out there! Saint George has overcome all humanely possible challenges deliberately placed against it in the past, and I believe that the club and its supporters will tackle this problem bravely. I remember, when Saint George was forced to play in the 2nd division, and the premier league lost its grace. I do not have good information to comment on this situation, but if it is a deliberate act, I believe that there are many unbiased team leaders, players, coaches, referees and others ( even from its contenders) who believe that young players (under 25) can make untended decision when provoked deliberately and suggest to the federation to reconsider its decision. If not, I am confident that Saint George will analyze the suspended players overall conduct and will do something to boost their self-esteem. It is very disappointing to see when young players in general our youths career deteriorate when we forced them to play with biased referee or when we do not guide them properly. I believe that referees must compose and calm themselves before playing with all their cards unwisely. Their snap and unfair decision can have a negative impact on young players and the community. The federation should work with all teams’ management and should act as a leader to reduce this kind of situation and demonstrate its responsibility. I am a life time supporter of Saint George club even if I missed them for 10 years. I also respect the hard work of all its contenders that provides one of the most recreational environments for our people. VVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVV
Best regards,
Haileyesus
What a trajedy, people are making excuses for the players who are justifyably punished. What elese were they to do, kill the referee? they attack a referee in front of everybody. No, I wasn’t there, but there was a video camera that clearly shows one headbutting, and the brutal asault him. His only sin was allowing a goal to stand. Goal was scored on them, for what ever reasons the referee allowed it to stand, so is that a good enough reason to assault a referee? The saddest thing was all these happened during a world cup, when a clear referee missgiving happened in more than few games. But we didn’t see, Maruice Edu, Landon Donavan Michael Bradley of USA, Frnak Lampard, Steven Gerard or Wayne Rooney of England, Rafa Marquez, Cuartamonc Balanco of Mexico etc…. trying to assault the offending referees. As bitter as the pills were, these players took them and accepted the defeat, while the whole world know they were robbed — and denied a potential opportunity to play in the world cup — Mind you, World Cup!!!!
I am sure these “star players”—- aka Spoiled brats of St. George, the ones who are about to take us to the African Cup saw this year world cup.
The reason for my reply to the writer piece is to ask, where is the out cry for the assaulted referee???? In my playing days, our coaches used tell us hitting a referee is a crime both on and off the field…one can get red carded and suspended, and if the referee files charges, the offending party can go to jail and serve some serious jail time. In my opinion the two St George players are very lucky…they are just missing a one or two years of playing time. They don’t have to go to jail. If we are real football fans, this what we need to do, lets’s stay quiet and let these two player serve their entire suspesion. This is the first time the federation tried to address the issue head on.
Please don’t tell us how good St. George as a team is….this thing has nothing to do with the team…it is the players who broke the rule…regardless of how generous the team has been, the two players should complete thier suspensions. This whole thing of PR drama orchestrated by St. George will hurt the team and our soccer more than it helps it.
Justice has finally done, let it run its course. That is the only way future offenders can learn. Our football has been bad with these “great players”, we can be bad with out them too. This time at least, we punish the offenders.
I do not agree with the assessment of this article. I do not care what was the cause but a player who beats up a ref should be banned for life not just for two years. A success of a team is not dependent on individuals but the whole team, support staff, and, supporters. A team without discipline will not win anything. What was the main reason behind the success of Ghana in the last world cup? It was discipline. When Muntari went out of bounds, he was suspended. The players respected authority and were hungry enough to give it their best. If such players as Salahadin and Adane are given free reign to run a wild, they will have a negative effect on the team. You can also look at the final outcome of team Cameroon and the coach who had lost total control over the team. If Ethiopia is going to qualify for the nation’s cup, it would not be because of these players. To top it off, there is no single Ethiopian player that is supremely talented enough to warrant any sort of preferential treatment (even basis on the logic of the article).
The players were suspended as a result of the game St. Giorge vs Dedebit(the tigrian ruling party supportd club). I think that says it all. The rest of Ethiopia should not challenge in any way the tigran hegemony. Not in economy, not in politics, not in military, not in Sport.
Its amazing how our football is being run, I think both Adaine and Saladin are responsible for their action, I know both players, they are very quite and humble guys. what they did on the field that day can’t be justified. I think they deserve the punishment. They just made mistake they can’t take back, its sad what happened to them. I glad Coach Meitcho is gone, how he ran the team was disaster. everyone said he is the best coach in Ethiopia, he should be while having 10 National team players on your roster, anyone can coach the me and be champion every year. At the end of the day what happen to Sanjo is sad and to the amazing players. I just wanted everyone to say whats the best for Ethiopia? not for Sanjaw or for any other team.
This is not right. Why…….. I don’t understand how I’m going to start…em… its very hard. The reason for me to write this is its not only because I’m St. George fun I’m also an Ethiopian how wish to see my country football step up. Punishing is one thing it makes people to learn from their mistakes for me this is outrageous revenge. What did St. George did to disserve this. if you want to be a judge you need to see both side you don’t need to be emotional, hope some of you who decide on punishing this players and this team thinking of the fall of St. George and the players but let me tell you the truth you make them(us) more stronger than before. I would like to thank you for that) any way as I mention it, their is no dought that our players over act. But their is always a reason for their action obviously. No player on their level dear to punch or head the referee. These players are one of the best players that the country has they had international experience and so on… Do you rely think they are doing this with out a reason? Put your self in their position…… do not think sitting on your office chair because that is not how they were. They were working hard to win the cup as any player on the field. You should ask why their behaviors change, they have time to come back they only concede one goal. Hey the only thing that i advice the federation or the people making wrong, negative, hatful opinion on this matter is that we are ST. GEORG. WE have been working hard to be here and we will to get there. Instead of standing in our way and make things hard for yourself please, please, please LEARN FROM US.
Thank you all. God bless ST. Georg FC as always!!!!!
Victory for ST. George!!!!!
Amlake hoye letelatoche lebona sitachew amen!!!
It is a shame for a great Club like St. George to have players who are not desciplened enough to play the whole 90 minutes and win the game, but act wildly and give excuses and not even apology. I have been a fan of this great club in the past and they were known for having such a hard working, highly motivated team. One of the things I still remember about Sanjaw is their concentration for every little game and their consistency. So please let all who watched ethiopian soccer remembers this great team for their hard work and success but not for having violent players who doesn’t even apologize for their action.
Abinet,
If you are a true fan of the team as we all are, think of the great tradition, think of the team as a whole, not just “two” players. How many times have you seen our players beat up referee or their opponents? What the two players did was not something we expected from players who wear that proud jersey. That was not St. George behavior….That was thuggish behavior!
Stop making excuses for thier inexcusable act!
For everything we do in a society, there is a law, and we are expected to be abide by it. At times, however, that law can and may go against us. If we have to take a revenge everytime we feel we are mistreated, we wouldn’t have a society, we would have anarchy. The same goes to soccer. If we beat up a referee everytime he make a bad call, there would not be soccer as we know it. Bad calls happen, and they happen a lot more than we like to see. But we have to live with it! We have seen clear goals disallowed, and wrong goals allowed to stand. That has been part of the game, and it will conitnue to be part of the game, regardless of the promissed improvements.
Please don’t make us believe there is a huge conspiracy against St. George. If that was the case, there is no way our team would have been this succesful. In my opnion, St. George is becoming like other teams who cry foul everytime things don’t go their way. We love the “two players” as much as you all do. But we love the game more. Our cry for the suspension of the players is only out of the love of the game, not personal vendetta against the team or the players.
In closing, here is some advice, make this whole thing about the team, not individual players…we all want St. George and our National team to be succesful, but that success should not come at the expense of the rule of law…if that is the case, I want no part of it…I prefer stay bad for many more years!
i think these two players who have committed gross mistake by punching the refree desrve the penality not only banning them from playing foot ball for two years but also have to see their days in court and serve for number of months behind bars.They have to know that they are suppose to be role models for our youths but unfortunatly failed miserably to leave up to what expected of them .Thus they have to learn something from their mistakes.without strong discipline sports for that matter foot ball is nothing.They have to keep in mind that there always be a looser and a winner.
Dear all I really like to see people giving their opinion and shares their ideas in our football. I want to say thank you for those who participate and give your time for our football. Hope everyone giving these comments to improve our football, players and even the federation.
Dear Tazabi and all, don’t miss understand my comments. Let me try to be clear, we have witness the world cup referees’ decisions, yes indeed the players haven’t punch or bit the referee. Because it was only referees’ decisions nothing else. If you come to the event at Sebeta the referee abuses the players “verbally”. This doesn’t make the players to get away from it. But it makes a big difference in what happened in world cup. Think about referee saying I can do what ever I want to, what you going to do about it, etc while you oppose his dicitions.What I try to say is before you pass out your judgments you need to put everything under consideration. YES the two players made a wrong choice. I don’t think nobody denied that. But the federation needs to see the in and out of the situation. The other thing that I would like to mention is that our referees use to get away with the serious mistakes that they have done. That is why you don’t see referees who are serious about their careers these days. In general I totally agree if the players were punished in a way that they (any other players) or anybody else can learn from it. And I do suggest the federation which is the governing body of Ethiopian football to see things widely before the conclusion. As we all know the referee also has his own contribution to make the things worst on the field.
Finally I would like to conclude by saying lets all learn from it.
Victory for ST. GEORG
VVVVV
Abinet,
It is good to see your later post making the two players responsible for the wrong action they commit in the field. However, I do not agree by the fact you made the referee responsible for their action. In the first place, what the players have said regarding the referre doesn’t have any evidence. What they did on him is justified by the video evidence. Even though he said something as they said, it would be their reason to attack him physically. Atleast he knows the rule much better than them by allowing the game to continue till the end with tears and blood in his body. So my question is why they didn’t play till the end with the verbal accusation if there is any. The Saint George I knew and supported for years (when Mule & Gebre were playing), convinced their opponents by scoring goals even with millitary teams and not by attacking the referres. In my case 1 & 2 years suspention is nothing compared to what they did.
One of the biggest tasks a football coach needs to undertake is to install discipline into players. There is a considerable pressure on professional players and it is no surprise that flash points occur from time to time. Players are human beings and likely to react to some inauspicious decisions.
The manner players react to unpopular decision should be very limited and must be exercised in a civilized manner. In the 2010 world cup England’s Frank Lampard scored a clear goal but the referee failed to spot it and denied England an equalizer. This was such an important game but except few words, we didn’t see England players spiting or head butting the referee.
No matter how good one is in a particular sport, without discipline, he/ she are bound to fail. It will result a breakdown in the shape of the team and the performance which will only lead the team to defeat. Can you imagine if these players acted this way in international arena?
It is sad to see our young and very talented players missing from the national team and from their club but nothing less than they deserve and I believe in sport, rule number one is discipline. Our athletes are world super stars due to their discipline, humble attitude and of course their ability.
Dear Abinet,
It seems we have a lot in common, and that is a good thing. We both agree a very good St. George team will only strengthen our football, and help create a very strong national team. I will never question your sincerity when condemning the act of the two players and call for “just punishment” The only question I have is, why do try to lesson their and put the heavy burden on the referee? Why do you tell us they did what they did because the referee was “verbally abusive?” Here is what I have to tell you, what the referee did was not professional, may be unethical, but not illegal. But what Salhadin and Adane did was illegal. You just don’t attack someone because he was verbally abusive or a perceived bias. When/if you do, there is a consequence. That is why they got the suspension they got.
Oh btw, I don’t know if heard about it or saw the video, few months ago during Ethiopia Primer League game a referee attacked a player. I saw the video which a referee head butting a player. No, I didn’t hear it from someone; I saw the video clip! The game was between Sebeta and some other team… after a call, a group of players surrounded the referee and tried to intimidate him, his action was swift. He hit one of the guys, and the others retreat. So I know referees can be the law breakers. And I will be the first one to tell you they are not angels. But I don’t expect a vigilante justice from members of a team who has been great on and off the field. I am a true Saint George fan of many, many years. I don’t want to see St. George players acting wild, no matter what the act of the referee or the opponents, our players has to show some restraints! We won so many trophies in exemplary fashion.
I am so used to seeing my team, St. George beating everybody and displaying a remarkable discipline. That is what I am used, and that is what it I want to see in the future!!!
When I was a kid, from all the things I did, there was nothing I enjoyed better than going to St. George Club (office — behind Nile Hotel) and count trophies. It was something I loved the most. I have a lot happy and sad memories (happy more than sad, though
I love the two kids, Salhadin and Adane. I know it would be a huge loss for St George and our National team. But they went too far in attacking the referee, and they have to face the consequences.
Regards,
Tazabi
I was pleasantly surprised,and appreciate the very elequant and logical responses of most of the Saint George fans in this site,I hope the so called “supporters” of the team, who run to justify any crime/illegal action by politicizing it or trying to find a presumed conspiracy can’t help St George or the Ethiopian football,
please wake up and smell the cofee! The time has come to realize that Ethiopia and the Ethiopian football is much bigger than, St George and Its modern day thugs
Shame on you for those who stand with stupid Adane and Saladin.It is really painfull for those who love football when these crazy guys did the worst thing in football history that I know.This is not about St. george or what you call it Dedebit or Ethiopia but it is for football.Do you know what the rule of game says ?
Dear all. It is getting interesting……Let me put it this way. Ok the two players need to be punished for their irresponsible actions. This is fact and we all agree. Because we really love the game of football than individuals. However, Judgments’ needs to consider a lot of things, such as gathering information’s from both parties which I belief that the federation fail to do it. I hope the players have something to say. So let them speak then decide. I know that the referee had consistent problem with the team. That leads the team to write bunch of letters to the federation that they haven’t got any responses yet. For me verbally abusing a player as a referee and helping the other team on purpose is not only unprofessional it is also illegal in the low of any sport.
In general as I state it before punishments need to be balanced, logical and some thing that teach people from their mistakes. We need to differentiate punishments and revenge. This for me is revenge. “Ya I sow it on the video then the video is the only evidence to judge” em…em.. Doesn’t smell good. They need to talk to all the individuals who involve in this not only one side. Then pass your dictions. May be I then say yes that is right. But on the conditions that the federation refuse to hear the other side of the story come on that isn’t right. Hope u all feel what am try to say.
VVVVV
Dear Abinet: Saladin and Adane have criminally butted and punched players and referees and they deserved the penalty as per the regulation. They did not do it in the gorge and in darkness. They did it in the open field during match time and for every one to see this horrible scene. There is no need to investigate this crime further. It is not a hidden crime. It is onsite, visible, match day crime committed mercilessly. The disciplinary regulation is very lenient and does not protect referees and the game adequately. The regulation should have specified for this kind of crime banning the players for life from football. This time they are lucky they escaped. Only 2 years and 1 year …hmmm. The regulation should be revised and it should be converted to life ban and the club should also be severely penalized. Saint George is lucky to have escaped this barbaric crime almost unscathed. Do you remember what Adane did in the trophy ceremony award day ( the final day of the premier league). he has verbally abused Ato Sahulu, the federation president. It was disgusting he did this because the player of the year award did not go to him. Imagine verbally abusing the federation president and escaping penalty. He should have been severely penalized for doing this. He was taken away be DEGu and other players otherwise it looked that he even wanted to butt the federation president. Shame, shame, is V now standing for violence?? For the thugs named ’supporters’ i am sure they will come next year for creating mess in the stadium and games will be disturbed. The federal police and zonal polices in the region should take note and they would i am sure be ready to face these hooligans. as for the appeal yes V is entitled and do you think the federation will not reply appropriately. that is non-sense. These theory of blaming the federation for your own mess should stop. It does not help any one. It does not make you look innocent. Your players just did very barbaric crime. Your coach Micho was instigating the players to do this criminal act. he was turning to supporters and players waiving his hands in desperation and acted irresponsibly for the players and supporters to be unruly and do what… this crime. v from coach to players are becoming unruly. Investigate yourself thoroughly if you are in your right minds which I think you are not. You say every body hates you. That is a sign of schizophrenia where a patient fears every one standing in front of him is his enemy. You now think the whole world hates you. That is not sane.
After I read all the above logical responses, I searched and watched the video of the incident. I strongly believe that it was a horrible mistake and some of us mentioned in our comment that the players made a wrong decision that sends a wrong message for our kids who really wanted a role model to peruse their career on any kind of sport. I would also like to acknowledge the decision of the players at fault to accept their horrible mistakes and made a public apology. Refer to the followings links to learn more about the public apology:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZ3Ph1nmq34
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-yVrFc6h5U
On the other hand, I strongly believe that most of you who responded to the above article will have a logical response and advice for the referee or a teacher:
Who you believe in him that he/she will give you a fair decision and work hard , but he/ she made a decision before the game to please others, and abuse you in the field in many invisible ways including verbally (and if this is verified by your opponents and they are happy with that and they think that the referee is a hero) or a teacher who you trust him/her so much and study hard, but he or she let you down by giving the answer key of her or his for other students (and this is verified by the students who got the answer key and they think that they have a brilliant teacher)
This kind of situation can happen in any sport, to any team and in any field or in any course, to any student and at any school. I believe this is getting common in some places like in our soccer field.What do you feel about it, and what would be the possibe solution ? Expecting your logical responses and learn more out of it, I wish you all the best. VVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVV
Best regards,
Haileyesus
Tazabi’s comment is dead on. The writer of this article needs to give his head a shake.
First of all it is the players who are desciplined for their actions, so this has nothing to do with the histroy and generosity of the football club. In my opinion, the team and their coach should have been penalized for not controlling the situation (if they haven’t been already).
So let’s recap the issues with this article: the first one is that a goal was scored on SG and the SG players claim it was an off-side play. They were upset that the referee didn’t reverse his decision so they assualted the referee. Have you ever seen a referee reverse a decision because of a complaint by the players? Referees make mistake and that’s the nature of the game. It’s upto the players and the team to move on and get back in the game. The players do not intimadate or decide on behalf of the referee – they just play. That is basic football knowledge 101.
The second point is that the writer of this article thinks the players’ version should have been heard. STOP!! It doesn’t matter which version is right, YOU JUST DON’T HEAD BUTT A REFEREE. Just like the players, the writer believes in the rule of the jungle where you take matters in your own hands. Referees are there to REFEREE or be a judge. You don’t go to a court, smack the judge for some comment he made about you and then ask for another judge to hear your case to avoid jail time. This is plain stupid. It is one thing to be a fan but another to be fanatic. It doesn’t matter which team it is, the rule applies to all.
Finally, you ask why they have to give the players the maximum punishment? Ask yourself: why not? Did they regret and apologize? Did the team try to get back in the game and avoid getting 5 red cards? Did the team descipline ts own players? Why should they not get the maximum? The maximum is there for a reason. These guys deserve every inch of the maximum punishment. THEY ARE A DISGRACE to all football lovers, specially to the kids who watch them. THEY SHOULD BE BANNED FROM THE NATIONAL TEAM TOO. We dont want a bunch of knuckleheads representing our country.
Personality is bigger than talent!!!
Dear Fuad do you read what I have write? if you do I hope you don’t understand me. it may be English is my second language if that is the case let me know so that I can try it in Amharic.
When I see the above suggestion you gave, It just raise a question about your personality and being a true Ethiopian who want really see football in the country grow a little. Hey let me ask you these, haven’t you ever made any mistake in life? If you answer is YES, men you are not a human being. If you answer is NO. Any man should forgive you, however you still needs to be penalized for it. So that you or others can learn from it. I would say if you have one second to control world’s power you are going to kill every body. These players have a job, they play football. Some incidents happened on the place that they work at which is the field, YES they took wrong actions. They need to be punished. The penalty is depend on the situations happens in their. That is why they need to be heard too. One side judgment is dangerous for everyone. Including YOU.
“BESEFERUT KUNA”
the ”football rule” should be respected before any other result.
The players suppose to accept whatever the referee says. It does not matter, the referee might be a bit prejudice but still they should show some kind of discipline and accept what he said. In addition, there are many better players out there, but they do not get a chance to be chosen because they do not have relative work in the federation. This is the main thing should be fix in Ethiopia.
No matter what, a player shouldn’t do what we saw in the field that day. Before a player gets in to the field, he should know that he is there to tackle all obstacles in a right, legal way. I know controlling emotions is one of the hardest event for many of us. But still players should be smart. They have to think also for tomorrow not only for today’s girgir.
My advice – please be patient for everything. There is no win with emotion.
VIVA.
yes its correct decision they beat up the referee so they goy what they deserve.
I agree with the punishment these two players got. In any game, a referee could make a wrong call. This was the case during the World Cup where many mistake was made, but we did not see players’ beating up the referee or standing on top of his face and head butting him. I saw the video and to say the least I was embarrassed for the team and for the players who acted in such a barbaric manner. Therefore, great players or not they deserve the punishment. This will set a good example for the future of the country football. Teams will be discipline and will correct bad behavior from the get go. Ethiopia will have other players step up for the African Cup. If we still don’t make it, at least we will be heading in the right direction. We will have players who are disciplined not embarrass the nation and its people.
Yo to be honest no matter how good they are, they deserved it. FIFA and Ethiopian Football Federation should be harsh and discipline these players, its not a cage fight or a war zone, its a football field, if you cannot follow the rules STEP ASIDE and let someone else who can play.
Ethiopia’s population is more than 80 million, so if these idiots abuse their privalege of being in Ethiopian football team, we can replace them EASILY.
btw i saw salahdun play MERRIKH (sudanese club) and he wasn’t even that good.. if he was a leader he would have at least advanced an ethiopian team to the next stage!
On to the next one!