[Boromir88]

Arda Cup 2009 - Press release

In a press conference before the start of the 2009 Arda Cup, tourney officials made note for the implemetation of a new rule. It is called "the instigating penalty," and states: any player, in the last 5 minutes of a match, who starts a fight or is solely in the game with the objective to injure, maim, or destroy an opposing player, will have to complete 96 hours of community service and be forced to witness Gandalf uncloaked. The referees officiating the match are responsible for enforcing the instigating penalty. Players who are penalized can not protest the decision, but the Tournament officials will review every case, and can overturn any decision.

Tournament referee, Boromir88, was asked to comment on why the officials felt this rule was necessary and he responded: "This rule is in place to protect not only the players, but you the fans. Drunks and football do not mix. Too many matches end with fans destroying property, setting fire to everything, and causing serious injuries to other fans. We believe that some players purposefully play dirty as a way to energize their fans, especially towards the end of a match and if their team is losing. This type of dirty play only fuels hostility and violence in the fans. The rule will make players think twice before they stoop to deplorable tactics towards the end of a match."

I asked Boro for clarity on what he means by dirty play and deplorable tactics, but he would only say the refs would look at any player who starts a fight within the last 5 minutes and determine whether the player started the fight with the intention of inciting violence, or a riot in the crowd. He would also add "referees should look at players who commit aggressive fouls late in the match and whether their intention was to injure another player." When presented with the fact that this rule is a load of mumakil waste, because it relies on the referees' judgement of a player's "intentions," and who were the "some players" he believed purposefully played dirty, Boro reverted to his old self by saying "No comment," but actually having a comment: "I will be watching Tom Bombadil very closely."