That is the only time a coin is/should be used on the field.
The Manchester Derby can be described as two football clubs competing to see which one of the clubs is the better club. These comparisons range from who won the most derbies, to who won the most titles, but that doesn’t bother me because we all know Manchester United, instead of better, is the most successful club. The derbies are hostile, well, Manchester City are the hostile ones. It's supposed to be a fight with feet and a ball, but some just take to a disappointing level.
Craig Bellamy - Manchester Derby Carling Cup
During the Carling Cup Manchester Derby January 2010, Manchester City’s Craig Bellamy was struck by a coin as he was preparing to take a corner. I'd say he was lucky because the coin was not the only thing thrown at him. I don't know how the beer bottles managed to miss him. These items were thrown from a section at Old Trafford where Manchester United supporters were seated. However, it's either the people who threw the bottles cannot aim properly, or Bellamy can ward off bottles but attract coins instead. Anyway, the coin seemed to have hit him on his head, but Bellamy is a tough fellow, I doubt any damage was done by that coin.
After picking up a bottle, a brave Edwin Van der Sar asked the Manchester United supporters to calm down and restrain themselves.
Rio Ferdinand - Manchester Derby English Premier League
December 2012 during the English Premier League Manchester Derby, Rio Ferdinand was struck by a coin as he celebrated Robin Van Persie's late winner. It appeared that Ferdinand was ready to kiss the Manchester United badge on his jersey when the coin hit him above his left brow. Sadly though, it was upsetting to see blood streaming down Ferdinand's face that day, it makes football seem so violent at times. Other than that, Ferdinand could’ve lost his sight had the perpetrator been accurate in his throw.
Strangely enough, this is what Ferdinand tweeted:
"What a result, 3points! Sweet! Whoever threw that coin, what a shot! Can't believe it was a copper 2p....could have at least been a £1 coin!"
According to Ferdinand, Manchester City goal keeper Joe Hart protected a fan that had run onto the field during the incident.
For interest sake, read this, trust me, it is worth it. It's about former Manchester United midfielder Paddy Crerand on the Manchester Derby incident on Ferdinand: Former Manchester United player Paddy Crerand in radio outburst over Rio Ferdinand coin incident
On a lighter note, maybe Bellamy and Ferdinand should've pulled a Jamie Carragher and hurled the coins back into the crowd where they came from.
Unlike in Europe, South African supporters choose to charge onto the field of play and challenge everyone. It’s like disappointment in their club consumes them and want to sort things out with their fists. Similar to Europe, the football club whose supporters started the brawl get charged by the football association.
Coins were also thrown at these footballers (and more):
Jamie Carragher - FA Cup vs Arsenal
Eric Abidal - Copa Del Rey vs Athletic Bilbao
Ryan Giggs - EPL vs Chelsea
Javier Garrido - Manchester Derby
This recent strike on Ferdinand has raised a lot of concern on the safety of the footballers targeted by upset supporters.
On a more serious note, the Chief Executive of the Professional Footballers’ Association, Gordon Taylor said, football authorities should consider introducing protective netting at football grounds. This came after Rio Ferdinand was hit with a coin during the most recent Manchester Derby. This protective netting is commonly seen in most European leagues such as the German Bundesliga. It is a good safety measure since the chances of a supporter striking a footballer with a coin are slim; unless they have been trained in the arts of throwing-a-coin-through-protective-netting-to-hit-a-specific-footballer.
I say let’s try the protective netting; we have nothing to lose but something to gain. This is about safety and keeping football violence free. Besides, you can hardly see the netting in the stadiums that already have it.
PS. I am so sorry that this post took a while.
