Straight Red For Dangerous Tackles

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7 posts

3 Jul 2008, 23:46

OFF OFF OFF!

Referees have been told to adopt a zero-tolerance approach to dangerous tackles next season as part of a new initiative aimed at increasing player safety and discouraging reckless challenges. Keith Hackett, the head of Professional Game Match Officials Limited, has ordered referees at all levels to show greater courage by responding to challenges which endanger the safety of an opponent with a straight red card.

Very welcome news, I think. Just about every match I saw last season featured a potential leg-breaker.

4 Jul 2008, 00:59

Eh?

There'll be no one left on the pitch in the lower leagues!

Doesn't a team have to abandon a game after having 4 players red-carded? Games will be over inside the first half!

Seriously though, another rule open to interpretation. Who's to say what's dangerous, and what's not? Surely a proper dangerous tackle already gets a straight red.

The pic in that Grauniad piece says it all. Kuyt diving in with both feet in the air. Did he even get a yellow card for that at the time? He should've been given a straight red for that. It was tantamount to attempted assault. Referee just bottled it.

4 Jul 2008, 02:10

:nonono: this is the end for paul scholes

4 Jul 2008, 03:58

Isn't that meant to be the rule already :shrug:

Is this really what the average fan wants to see? Games ruined by players sent off for sliding in and not even making contact. Actually getting the ball in some cases.

Players break legs - it's part of the game. The takles on Djib Cisse at Blackburn and Alan Smith at Anfield were both perfectly legal but resulted in horrific injuries.

I, and I'm sure many others would rather a clamp down on the petty offences like stealing yards at throw ins and 'keepers time wasting on goal kicks. And make it an offence for a defender to shield the ball out.

Fucking hell, I'm meant to be looking forward to the new season :nonono:

4 Jul 2008, 04:13

more bad news for joey barton :nod: i dont think this is a rule change,its more that refs being asked to enforce the current rule more often.

4 Jul 2008, 08:23

I have to say that I agree with taking an extra-vigilant stance on dangerous foul play is needed. I wouldn't like to have to have surgery on my legs, so I feel sympathy for those who do have to.

As for goalkeepers who waste time on goal kicks, why not award indirect free-kicks at the egde of the goal area.

6 Jul 2008, 11:29

Old Lead Foot wrote: this is the end for paul scholes

Nope..... there will surely be a exemption for him.... there bloody well is at the moment.