The Black Stars' loss: It's time to introduce the 'PURPLE CARD'

I want to thank the Black Stars, especially Asamoah Gyan. They have made us all proud. Our country called on them and they delivered. Missing a goal at a penalty kick is not new. As a Fanti proverb says (paraphrased), “He who fetches water is likely one to break the pail.” Thank you again, Black Stars.

To repeat, missing a goal at a penalty kick is not new. It happens, as demonstrated by our loss to penalty kicks following the extra time. Does that mean we deserve to be rubbed of a chance to advance to the semi finals in the World Cup? If fifa wants any fairness in the world cup, this is time to do something for fairness.

First, if any player in the Black Stars did not take advantage of an opportunity to use his hands to stop an instant elimination from the World Cup even at the risk of missing the next game, I will probably be the loudest condemning him. What Mr. Suarez did paid off for him. He did not mourn not playing in the semi finals, he celebrated his country moving on to the next round. It is fifa’s responsibility to make sure that blatant acts like Mr. Suarez’s do not pay off. It is time to introduce the PURPLE CARD.

The PURPLE CARD will be used only during the 30 minutes of extra time. It will be given for blatant handling of the ball by a defending player to stop a goal or an offence player who handles the ball to make an illegal goal. It will mean INSTANTLY FORFEITING of the game.

Fifa has a tradition of dragging its feet on issues like this and left alone, this rule will never be adopted. This is time for President Atta Mills to stand up. If he has any ounce of leadership in him, he will stand firm on this and actually leave fifa if fifa does not adopt this rule. This is time for African countries to stay together, now that we are together, and insist that all of Africa will leave fifa and stick with Africa Cup of Nations if fifa does not adopt this rule.

I will ask the good folks of Ghanaweb to give this article the prominence it deserve and not only conspicuously display it on their website, but to publish it over and over again to give African leaders every opportunity to bump into it and actually read it.

All of us who support fairness in soccer should insist on the PURPLE CARD.

Tony Pobee-Mensah