Quote Originally Posted by Syn View Post
Intent is pretty much impossible to prove though. I agree that you shouldn't look at the result. I think the only thing that should be looked at is if it's dangerous. Not intent. Not the result. You can bet that if Balotelli had snapped Song's leg, the same challenge would've got a red card. Intent might've been more easy to see in that case but in Shawcross or Taylor's case, you can't accuse them of intent. Only stupidity - and that's what should be punished.
The requirement for a broken leg seems to be needed for anything to happen - well, serious contact anyway.

For me it is like having kids drive round an estate at 90 miles an hour. If the kill a kid, then they get a big sentence. If the don't, they get a trivial sentence. This is insane. The fact of doing the act is no different. Punishment should take place even if there was not a bad result (due to luck).