It's not everyday a soccer highlight on YouTube nets an age warning restriction. Standard Liege ace Axel Witsel's tackle on Anderlecht's Marcin Wasilewski this weekend in a Belgian league match certainly warranted such a warning. (Again, you've been warned.)
If your stomach is strong enough to watch the clip, Witsel's ban until Nov. 23 doesn't seem that out of line, especially since Polish international Wasilewski's broken leg will keep him out for up to 12 months and will certainly next June's World Cup. Witsel should miss at least 10 league matches and Standard Liege's upcoming Champions League matches.
After the tackle Witsel has quickly become public enemy No. 1 in Belgium, even receiving death threats. The 20-year-old didn't even bother to appeal the sentence handed down by the Belgian FA, which is somewhat ironic for American fans who are used to seeing pro baseball pitchers appeal suspensions as short of five games for throwing pitches at players.
An unfortunate aspect of all this is that Witsel is the reigning Belgian Golden Shoe winner (best player) and had a promising future. This tackle, which he said was unintentional, figures to haunt him the rest of his career.
It once again goes to show how much sports really are a game of inches.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
9-02-2009 @ 4:48PM
Jeff said...
Wow. I've rewatched that video like 10 times now and it really looks like he's trying for the ball and shocked when he hits the guys leg. Super dangerous way to go in though. Damn. I feel bad for both players involved (unless Witsel has me confused and did try for the leg; in which case f* that guy).
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9-04-2009 @ 10:34AM
Steve said...
Like Jeff, I had to watch it several times as I am unfamiliar with the players. But arguments can definitely be made for both sides though if you watch Witsel's foot as his studs go up and at the leg, but Wasilewski also went in hard for the tackle. But I do believe that the send off was deserved
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