THIS IS ABSOLUTELY UNACCEPTABLE!!!

So let me get this straight...You hurt your opponent so badly that they won't be able to play for the next 10-12 months at the least, with a possibility of never being able to play again. This foul was so ugly, that instead of red carding the player, he should have been HANDCUFFED!!!

Axel Witsel, 20 year-old midfielder playing for Standard Liège, was suspended for almost 3 months because of the following play against Marcin Wasilewski of R.S.C. Anderlecht. That's right...just a little less than 3 months suspension, 11 matches to be exact, while the other player could very well have played the last game of his career!

(WARNING: Graphic Images!)



And this leads me to this question: When is FIFA going to make an example of these criminals and set some kind of a precedent to prevent plays like this from ever happening again?

As far as I know, plays like the one you just saw were rare in the world of soccer. As the game being played today is much more physical than it used to be, I think this might start to become a widespread problem if someone doesn't take action. Don't believe me? These are just 2 of the most recent and publicized injuries in the past year and a half:

May 24, 2009 - South African First Division (Mpumalanga Black Aces F.C. vs Carara Kicks)
Félix Mwamba-Musasa "foul" on Oupa Ngulube




February 23, 2008 - English Premier League (Arsenal vs. Birmingham City)
Martin Taylor "fouls" Eduardo



Here's my solution: For the next player who does this, he won't be allow to play until the player he injured is fit to resume his career. If the injured player is never going to play again, oh well, I guess the offending player's career is over too. On top of that, they must pay a hefty fine ($10,000+), and still get suspended for an additional 6 months. How about that? I bet you every player will get the message if they do this. These aren't soccer players we're talking about here, they're criminals and should have never been allowed to play!!!