A Son of the Rock

Euro 2012, Hampden Park, 3/9/11

Judging by the television highlights this was 2-2 going on a doing from the Czech Republic. But under the laws of the game Scotland ought to have won.

There is no doubt that the Czech penalty came from a dive by their player, who ought to have been booked, and the penalty not awarded.

Equally Scotland ought to have had a penalty moments later as Christophe Berra’s foot was clearly stood on and his leg clipped. Yet this time there was no penalty and Berra was booked.

It is entirely correct to say that the Czechs desevred at least a draw as they seemed to have the lion’s share of possession and generally looked a cut above the Scots.

Yet how many games have there been where one team dominated play and yet the other came away with a win? The object of the game is to score and Scotland scored two legitimately and the Czechs’ second equaliser was obtained by – let’s not mince words – cheating.

But there is no need to kid ourselves. Joe Jordan did something similar in a World Cup qualifier against Wales many years ago.

In any case it is probably a blessing that Scotland will not now qualify for the tournament proper as a series of horsings would no doubt ensue there.

Maybe by the time the 2014 World Cup qualifiers come round…