Hoop BlahZacNaloen Not cynical in the sense that he did it for reasons more than being pissed off at a player who was bullying him. Not cynical in the sense it was unsporting.
I'd agree the Cahil one wasn't a cynical 'tactical' foul but I also agree that it's not something we shy away from either, hence the often used phrases of 'a good foul to concede' and 'taking one for the team'.
The point that the South Americans have always been happy to do the same thing is quite right though.
Paul Scholes anybody?