Blatter rethinks automatic ban for red cards

Hornets nest. Every single ejection would be challenged. There's no way it wouldn't undermine the ref's authority. Calls - both bad and good - are simply part of the game.

 

Just about every other red card in England is appealed - it is getting out of hand.

I do think that players should have the right to appeal any red card (a bad call should not affect future games) - but a failed appeal should result in a further two game ban.

 

In Germany there is an automatic ban for any red card. If you're not guilty, then it'll be a one game ban; if you're guilty you'll get a longer suspension. This is a nice theory that it doesn't undermine the ref's authority, but it's having a contra effect. If the TV pictures prove that it was a wrong decision, then it just makes the situation worse as the wrong decision has a double punishment for the current and the next game. Even if the ref sees, admits and regrets his mistake, there is no way to be without a ban. As this is sports law and not just any decision, I also say that the automatic ban handling violates the law principle of "no punishment without a crime" - in analogy to penal law this would be the same if a policeman arrests you, your innocence is proved, but they keep you there for one day to not undermine the authority of the police department...

They should rather think about the awful situation that a referee's game decision may not be controlled. Players, who did a foul being worth an ejection but only received a yellow card (or just a free kick for the opponent), are guilty and don't get the punishment they deserve again with the dubious reason for not undermining the ref's authority. That's absolutely crazy - an innocent player faces a double punishment, but a guilty player is acquitted twice. Quite a pervert situation IMO.

 

If you or I were accused of committing an offence which meant you would be suspended from work and lose your wages for one or more weeks - or even worse if you were put in jail, and later you could prove that you were innocent - would you not expect to be set free?
Why should footballers not have the same rights as everyone else?

 

I have no objection to video replay being used to determine if ejections were legitimate.

It should be used both ways. Players unjustly ejected should have their suspensions lifted. Players who committed an ejectionable offence that was missed by the referee should be suspended.

 

well said.

 

> Calls - both bad and good - are simply part of
> the game.

You didn't visit the Earthquakes board this week, did you?