One rule for some............................

Is it just a coincidence that one of my favourite books is '1984' given how I currently feel about SKY Sports?

The organisation is truly what Geroge Orwell envisaged as Big Brother as well as The Ministry of Truth which, may I remind those who are not familiar with the book, exercises complete control over all mass media and employs the book's protagonist Winston at the Records Department, where he doctors historical records in order to comply with the Party's version of the past. Since the events of the present constantly shape the perception of the past, the task is a never-ending one.

It seems to me that this is what SKY are doing and which leads nicely on to this morning's RANT:

First of all, click on this link and tell me that this was not possibly the WORST dive you have seen this season? I defy you to condemn the perpetrator as a blatant cheat. Had it been Ronaldo, Drogba, Robben or Andy Johnson then Mr 'I wax my hands to not look hairy on TV' Keys and his pundit friends would have been apoplectic with rage. But this time? Oh no.

"He lost his balance" Andy Gray said. "The referee is entitled to let that go" he continued.
Where is the condemnation? Sorry, I forgot. This is Saint Thierry. He is beyond reproach. Moreover, I have it on good authority that at least once during a televised match one of the pundits HAS to either say:
1) He is the best player in the world, or
2) How he has never been voted World Player of the Year is beyond me.

The man can do no wrong.

Now, let me at this stage point out that for me he has been one of the greatest football talents I have had the pleasure to witness. He is sublime on the ball - balletic almost - and a scorer of truly wonderful goals. BUT, in the past 12 months he has shown a decidedly negative side to his persona. We all know about his ego but that isn't a problem for me. Non-Arsenal fans HATE his lame celebrations but are they any different to the celebrations Cantona was eulogised for by the OT faithful? Not in my opinion.

However, his gracelessness is beginning to irritate (juts a tad!). It all started when (again this is MY opinion and something I heard) Barcelona PULLED OUT of signing him prior to the Champins League Final. Their rationale was that having analysed his game the coaching staff felt that his starting position when Arsenal attacked was identical to Ronaldinho's. It was concluded therefore that spending £XXm was excessive since they had THE WORLD'S BEST PLAYER (voted, acknowledged AND accepted by everyone except SKY!) operating in more or less the same way from the same part of the pitch.
Cue his rant after the Champions League defeat - "they are women", "I didn't see Ronaldinho..." etc etc.
Incidently, Barcelona had 'strung' Henry along for weeks after coming to the above conclusion. When the sides were set to meet in the final, Barca then pulled out of the deal in an act of gamesmanship to 'play with his mind.' It worked I guess and ever since he has felt a sense of "what might have been"

Lets also not forget his lame excuse for falling to the ground and holding his face when there was a 'tangle' with Puyol at the World Cup. "In my head I'm not a guy who does go down or cheats."

Really? Can you say that after yesterday? Unequivocally no.

What is the point of this rant? It is not (believe it or not an attack on TH14) I want a parity of reaction. The issue about the Henry dive is that, again, nothing will be made of it. There were lots of incidents this weekend, as there are every weekend, where players go down far too easilybut it seems it's only an issue when it's the likes of Ronaldo or Drogba. If they are going to chastise players for diving or making the most of little contact then it should be done for every player, not just those players where the media have an agenda.

RANT over (cue gazillions of responses!)