Return of the Projectile
November 19 - 2006
Traditionally, projectiles thrown from the grandstand are a South American specialty. Whether it be torches, smoke-bombs, or chunks of concrete, foreign objects lobbed from the terraces usually have a Latin origin.
But the Gringos are raising their game. Early missile launching efforts have been channeled into coin throwing, and the practice reached epidemic proportions in the first half of the month. First, Fulham’s Claus Jensen was pegged with hard currency in his side’s victory over Everton two weeks ago. The following day, Robin van Persie suffered the same indignity at Upton Park. Then, earlier this week, the fourth official working the Newport-Swansea FA Cup tie had an artery split by a tossed coin.
England truly one-upped the South Americans yesterday, however, when (no joke) a crossbow bolt interrupted a non-league match in Stockport. The bolt measured almost 2 feet in length and sailed by an outside back on its way to plunging into the turf. The match was promptly abandoned, and the search for the perps is on. England 1 - South America 0.
(UPDATE: Video of the Newport incident can be found here.)
[...] We’d mentioned the alarming escalation from coins to crossbow arrows, and now we get a first hand look at the offending object. Our favorite moment is when the referee, knowing another volley could come sailing in at any moment, refuses to run while carrying the pointed arrow. His mum would be proud. [...]
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