The point is is not whether you like or dislike Frank Lampard,
but is if his sending off was fair or not? Looking at this
case without prejudice, these instances happen far too
often in the Premiership and are often very costly to
the club on the recieving end.
I, for one, would prefer the officials to use T.V. footage to
decide decisions during the game, decisions they view to
be less than clear cut. In America, the NFL have been using
this method for years, and it works.
Ofcourse, the game can be broken up by doing this as sometimes difficult decisions take time.
However, if it is your team that loses a trophy due to a referee
mistake under this current system, which method is better?Football games have become too big for just a few men to
oversea, especially when players are devious. Video evidence
does not lie, and Boe Morte would have seen red under those
conditions for violent conduct.

john terry, Lady Lake, USA / Florida

I don't think the referee was far off the mark.
As Lampard got up from the tangle with Boa Morte, he appeared to use Boa Morte's prone body as leverage to get up......I'm surprised MOTD experts didn't notice that... Of course, he probably didn't mean to inflict any injury on his opponent with what appeared to be a lengthy leverage session...........which is what lead to Boa Morte's backwards kick in retaliation ( another sending off offence..)

Peter S.Lewis, Bidford-on-Avon, UK

I've always found the depth of loathing of Lampard inexplicable, given his essential, well, dullness. I'm a lifelong Chelsea fan, and when he arrived for £11m I vividly remember people saying 'we payed £11m for that ?!?' as he floundered in midfield. But over the years he worked on his game and became one of the best midfielders in the world. He scores a lot, wins trophies, has a pretty good disciplinary record, is articulate and sensible, and generally conducts himself with restraint in a milieu not known for it. Mr Liddle's case seems to consist of: 1. Frank's facial expressions - which always seem pretty blank to me. 2. Self-promoting interviews after England games - well, I must have missed those. Is that it ? Is that the best that the Lampard-loathers can come up with ? I know that irrational hatred is the main stimulus of the British football fan, but this takes the biscuit. Let's hear some real objections to Lampard - just keep it rational, OK ?

muir mackean, frome, somerset

2 Premier League medals, 1 FA Cup, 2 League Cup, he left West Ham to play for a bigger and better club, and the reason its only £20 to get in at Millwall is because no one in their right mind would pay a penny more.

Andy Blower, Nuneaton, England

I don't share Rod's dislike of Lampard (that is just a manisfestation of the another team fan's view). However I woud agree regarding the new selfseeking type of match official who has one eye on his post retirement dinner speaking engagements and the other on his controversial (has to be to sell) autobigraphy. That much lamented er sorry lamentable Graham (three yellows) Poll has much to ansewr for. The best referees used to be the ones you never noticed - these days they are touting for celebrity status.
That said they would not get away with it except for the inept organisations that are the FA and the Premier League whose only raison d'etre seems to be £$£$.
I don't know why Monsieurr Whinger gets upset - his players seem to be able to get away with most of their unsavoury
tackles - except Eboue who was pushing his luck to the extreme. One would almost think that David Dein left some acquaintainces in the FA to help the Arsenal cause along.

Rob, Telford, UK

He didn't deserve to be red carded but I share your schadenfreude that his sending off produced.

May it happen again soon.

martin, Baldock, UK

I share a disdain for Mr. Lumpard as much as you do, perhaps more being a West Ham fan. I do think the sending off was a little harsh although I too enjoyed it immensely. His near constant disparaging remarks aimed at his former fans are, to me, reason enough to send him off as often as possible.
That said, he was hardly blameless in the situation. First he threw himself on top of Boa Morte as hard as he could with a well executed WWE style elbow smash followed by a swift boot to the backside as soon as he regained his feet. The missed punch turned shove was almost anti-climactic and, unlike the Dead Snake, he actually managed to connect all three times.

Bob, Winnipeg, Canada

Rod - there will scarcely be a Lampard fan in the land who wish to boil your acid tongue! However as a former fan of the great man I am in almost total agreement with you - (a) about his sour (and repeatedly self-justifying) demeanour (b) about the ridiculous posing and posturing by referees - and linesmen - sorry assistant referees - and (c) about the conspicuous absence of common sense at the FA - although this last is scarcely news. The game at the top has become increasingly corrupted by far too much money and heavily intrusive and all pervading media attention which places all these people on pedestals to which none of them are entitled. Football at the highest level has lost its soul. And I write as a Chelski fan - although of nearly 40 years standing so I have been through thin and thin with that lot.

Tim, Kingston,

Most amusing article Mr Liddle. I daresay Mr Lampard will undergo many a sleepless night ruminating over the fact that you happen not to like him.
Perhaps you should show a modicum of gratitude towards our Frank. Afterall his permanently aggrieved demeanour has provided you the inspiration for this article. Hence a contribution to your livelihood.

Ollie, Kingston Upon Thames, UK