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by:BTF

Monday, July 5, 2010

MARKHAM - The Pistolas took the field against the Bullets in another scorcher this past Sunday. Going into the game, PFC was aware that a win would par up the two teams records at 5-3 on the season and a tie for second in the division.
 
The game was battled hard through the sweltering conditions, with PFC holding on to most of the possession and having the better of the opportunities on goal.  In one scenario, the Raging Bull was called out of bounds on the goal line (with a very delayed whistle) after which he had already sent the ball into the middle resulting in what appeared to be a PFC goal. 
 
The Bullets, having no substitutions to use, appeared to be faltering as the game wore on. 
 
The 80th minute of the match brought the most controversial moment in the PFC season to date.  Rob Pikula neatly rolled a ball across, where two Pistolas were lurking, resulting in Eck Richards taking the one time shot toward goal.  The keeper did well to keep the ball out on the point blank effort. 
 
The ball was scrambled for a moment, after which Davidinho got over the ball and struck a shot by the keeper from a mere few feet away.  An opposing defender, straddling the goal line, clearly (it must be emphasized, clearly) blocked the attempt away with an outstretched arm, reminiscent of Uruguayan Luis Suarez's hand ball just days earlier in the 2010 FIFA World Cup quarterfinal match versus Ghana (in that case, a hand ball call was made and Suarez was issued a red card for his illegal efforts).
 
PFC voices raised in unison as the whistle had been blown. At some point, Eck picked the ball up from where it lay while all the confusion ensued.   The referee made his way over to consult his line judge. To every players' understanding, the hand ball was a forgone conclusion.  This PFC player assumed the referee wanted to consult the line judge as to whether the ball had cleared the line for a goal before the violation, nullifying the hand ball and awarding PFC with the goal.
 
Players from the Bullets, heads down, were acknowledging to some PFC players that it was hand ball and that a penalty kick was forthcoming.  Some Bullets were already standing along the edge of the box in preparation.  
 
When the referee made his way back over to the goal, his initial call was a hand ball against PFC.  The Pistolas were immediately enraged.  Some Bullets were heard saying to PFC players: "Relax, he means handball against us - you're getting a penalty kick".
 
However, after further explanation, the referee had mysteriously ruled the play dead on a hand ball to Eck for having picked the ball up after the whistle.  Yes, after the whistle.  An absolutely egregious call.
 
The game ended a 0-0 draw. 
 
Many PFC players were suggesting raising an appeal of the game to the head league official, who was in attendance.  Any details will be posted on www.pistolasfc.com.
 
 

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