Hi Guys, I have question, that I would appreciate the answer to. My #1 sport has always been rugby (Union). One of the rules in that sport that has always impressed me is the one that any form of dissent towards the match official immediatly results in either (a) a reversal of a penalty (ala free kick in soccer), (b) the giving of a penalty or (c) moving the ball 10 yards nearer to your goal (if the side the decision against is the culprit with the dissension). This gives a situation that can easily penalize the whole team if it moves the opposition into a position where they can score some points. I have always thought that this would not be a bad idea to implement in soccer in some form or the other. The other week whilst watching a premiership game the ref. moved a free kick 10 yards forward after someone complained too much. Is this now an official rule? Something that England has come up with...? The reason I bring this up, is that I feel that there is far too much arguing with refs, even on the smallest call. Perhaps a rule like this, as a precursor to a card, might make players think twice, esp, if it move a kick to a much more likely goal scoring position. Any thoughts/ideas? -Richard
England is testing the idea for FIFA. They actually requested to do this after a number of incidents (often involving Man Utd) where referees were hounded after making calls. The effect has been almost immediate in reducing persistant dissent. Many referees allow initial reaction, but continued dissent is punished by a 10 yard penalty. It has been hugely successful in reducing dissent in England, and it can't be long before FIFA implement it world-wide.
Thank-you lanman..one of those things living over the pond that I missed!! btw Darlo were unlucky last weekend -Richard