When it's in an "innocuous part of the penalty area" according to John Motson. From his commentary on the WHU v Mancs game:

That was in a fairly innocuous part of the penalty area. I hardly think you can expect the referee to give a penalty for that.

I see. So now there are innocuous and a non-innocuous parts of the penalty area. A new John Motson-ratified rule to be applied to Manc defenders, no doubt.

Unbelievable.

Top answer from Motson there.

I would have said "When the Chelsea captain is kicked unconscious by an Arsenal player who was 'going for the ball and didn't know his head was there' ".

Q:When is a foul in the penalty area not a penalty?

A:When it is committed on a player wearing blue jersey.

When it's in an "innocuous part of the penalty area" according to John Motson. From his commentary on the WHU v Mancs game:

That was in a fairly innocuous part of the penalty area. I hardly think you can expect the referee to give a penalty for that.

I see. So now there are innocuous and a non-innocuous parts of the penalty area. A new John Motson-ratified rule to be applied to Manc defenders, no doubt.

Unbelievable.

Ah, I see I wasn't the only one to be surprised by that rule

More surprising things happen on the BBC: did anyone hear Martin Keown state on Football Focus that Leeds is now everyone's second team? WTF?? Lawrenson said his only sensible thing then: speak for yourself

More surprising things happen on the BBC: did anyone hear Martin Keown state on Football Focus that Leeds is now everyone's second team? WTF?? Lawrenson said his only sensible thing then: speak for yourself

Keown was right in a way - Leeds are my second most-hated team, just ahead of Liverpool & Septic, but miles behind Spuds.

When it's committed by Carragher.

When it's committed by Carragher.

Sounds about right.

From what 'pundits' seem to say now it is not about 'fouling' it is about contact.

I have played pub football...there is ALWAYS contact.

Of course if you are Saint Steven Gerrard even someone waving a foot in your general direction is enough to get a pen (vs Sheff Utd last season).

Was that the one...for Stevie G....where the pundits were saying "there was intent to foul" therefore it must be a penalty....even though there was no contact?

So, for scoucers and Mancs, it doesn't matter where in the penalty area the oppostition shows "intent" to foul as they will get a penalty anyway. However, should Stevie Me or any other for that matter, hack someone down in an "innocuous" part of the penalty area; then we can't expect the ref to call it!

Frankly if any player goes within a certain distance of Saint Steve, buzzers and flashing lights go off all over FA HQ and regardless of where any one is, Liverpool get a pen....allegedly!