Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard set the bar high for his peers yet again in terms of demonstrating fair play. Many other football players around the world would have thought twice before getting back on their feet after going to the ground in the final moments of a game. Sunday afternoon’s game against Blackburn, in particular, was one such game where circumstances could have forced any player to resort to desperate tacticts.
With the Blues struggling to take the lead in a hard-fought 1-1 draw at Ewood Park, Lampard was obviously one of the key players who the visitors were relying on. During one quick play, his teammates even managed to get the ball to him in his favored territory at the top of the box, and as Lamps broke inside the box, he lost his balance. As a result, the visiting supporters – as well as several Chelsea players – appealed hard for a penalty as soon as Lampard hit the turf.
The referee, not ideally positioned to make an immediate call, paused for a second before insisting that the play go on. One of the reasons the head official Steve Bennett was able to deliver the right verdict was the sportsmanship shown by Lampard in getting back to his feet right away. Lampard knew that despite all the desperation in the world that his club faces at the moment, he had to do the right thing to lead by example.
Not only did Lampard’s actions prove that he is one of the greatest professionals for young fans to look up to, but in maintaining his integrity, he also sent a message to those who believe that diving is an inseparable part of the modern game. To reiterate, Chelsea’s form has lately been so poor that anyone in Lampard’s shoes could have been tempted to stay down and pressurize the referee to award a penalty.
Frank Lampard, though, continues to stand out as he continues to build his reputation as one of England’s finest football players of all time.
With the Blues struggling to take the lead in a hard-fought 1-1 draw at Ewood Park, Lampard was obviously one of the key players who the visitors were relying on. During one quick play, his teammates even managed to get the ball to him in his favored territory at the top of the box, and as Lamps broke inside the box, he lost his balance. As a result, the visiting supporters – as well as several Chelsea players – appealed hard for a penalty as soon as Lampard hit the turf.
The referee, not ideally positioned to make an immediate call, paused for a second before insisting that the play go on. One of the reasons the head official Steve Bennett was able to deliver the right verdict was the sportsmanship shown by Lampard in getting back to his feet right away. Lampard knew that despite all the desperation in the world that his club faces at the moment, he had to do the right thing to lead by example.
Not only did Lampard’s actions prove that he is one of the greatest professionals for young fans to look up to, but in maintaining his integrity, he also sent a message to those who believe that diving is an inseparable part of the modern game. To reiterate, Chelsea’s form has lately been so poor that anyone in Lampard’s shoes could have been tempted to stay down and pressurize the referee to award a penalty.
Frank Lampard, though, continues to stand out as he continues to build his reputation as one of England’s finest football players of all time.
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