Two sportsmen exercised their rights within the law of the games and one is regarded as a hero and the other, a scamp.
Lionel Messi was delegated the responsibility to take the penalty kick. Instead of kicking the ball directly towards the goal with the sole intention of scoring, he just tapped the ball forward for Suarez to run across and kick it into the goal. The opponents stood there in shock as this has never happened before in an international game (as far as we all know), but it is within the laws of the game.
Not one official, locally or internationally, uttered a word of condemnation. It was within the law and that is that.
Keemo Paul, of the West Indies under-19 Cricket World Cup team, exercised his right within the laws of the game and he is looked at as a scamp. Needing to defend three runs in the final over to book a place in the semi-final, Keemo saw the non-striker out of his crease trying to steal a sharp single and he applied the law by breaking the wicket in his run up. The under-19 team won the game and eventually the finals to be crowned champs.
Every Tom, Dick and Harry in the administration of cricket found Keemo's action ungentlemanly and not within the spirit of the game. Why? Is it because he is a West Indian and West Indians alone must play within the spirit of the game and be satisfied with a fictitious key for the city? Chappell, Healey, Warne, Peterson could have done as they liked and that was okay with cricket officials.
Current players from Australia, England and India can do as they please and there is no spirit of the game involved. Look at how many West Indians are being called for pelting as soon as they take some Australian or Englishman’s scalps.
We have seen laws being changed when West Indians hold the advantage and we will soon see another change because of Keemo’s action.
Lystra Lythe