BS: New soccer rule needed?

Subject: BS: New soccer rule needed?
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 02 May 11 - 12:32 AM

It should be made an automatic yellow card offence for any player except the captain to dispute, or even query, a referee's decision, or even to approach him looking as if he might do so. The present situation where a player always gives the ref a filthy look and and a hostile or disputatious remark whenever checked is intolerable. An automatic yellow, with ∴ a red the second time, would soon put a stop to it. And as to the present intolerable mobbing of officials after a disputable decision, that needs firm action if anything does ~~ far more than the automatic yellow which must follow the removal of a shirt after scoring, or even any excessive celebration: quite natural to want to celebrate scoring, and that one should go, to be replaced by this new rule I suggest here.

Who agrees?

~Michael~

Subject: RE: BS: New soccer rule needed?
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 02 May 11 - 02:11 AM

Yep, should be the same as in RU - my understanding is that only the captains of the two teams are permitted to query decisions, and then only to ask for an explanation, not to dispute.

But it'll never happen, because it'll "Stifle players' enthusiasm and creativity" or some other sort of bullshit. The truth is that the overpaid, overblown, prima-donna players hold all the cards, and FIFA/The FA don't have the cojones to stand up to them (or rather, their agents).

Subject: RE: BS: New soccer rule needed?
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 02 May 11 - 03:50 AM

When I was at school 50 years ago those with the most interest in and ability at association football were on average the less intelligent and more unpleasant. Not a lot seems to have changed.

Subject: RE: BS: New soccer rule needed?
From: Richie Black (misused acct, bad email)
Date: 02 May 11 - 03:59 AM

I agree, It is also time to introduce goal line technology into the game.

Ah great win for Chelsea on Saturday.

Subject: RE: BS: New soccer rule needed?
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 02 May 11 - 04:06 AM

Not at my school, I like to think, Richard, whose 1st XI goalkeeper I was during 2 seasons 1949-50.

Yes, well-done Chelsea on Sat; my wife supports them, tho I am Arsenal [who also did OK v Man U & so did Chelsea a favour], so we are both anti-Spurs.

~Michael~

Subject: RE: BS: New soccer rule needed?
From: C-flat
Date: 02 May 11 - 04:25 AM

Whilst I disagree whole-heartedly with Richards earlier comment, I do think that footballs governing body needs to toughen up on this.
It would take time (and a lot of spoilt games due to sending players off) to rid the game of this deeply rooted, whiny culture which encourages otherwise gifted athletes to behave like pack animals around the hapless referee.
This, along with some dreadful play-acting, sends awful messages to young fans who take it with them to the parks on Sunday morning.

Give the referee some real teeth, announce the changes well in advance and force every professional player to attend a rugby match to witness how it does work.

It can be a beautiful game.

Subject: RE: BS: New soccer rule needed?
From: GUEST,Paul Burke
Date: 02 May 11 - 04:31 AM

If any player, other than the captain, fails to retreat immediately 10 metres from the ref, they should not only incur a card, but also the position of the free kick should be advanced by 10 metres, and the process repeated if dispute comtinues, up to and including it becoming a penalty.

Subject: RE: BS: New soccer rule needed?
From: Richie Black (misused acct, bad email)
Date: 02 May 11 - 04:37 AM

There is an arrogance with Manchester United, probably more so with Ferguson. That outburst by Rooney a few weeks ago deserved a much harsher punishment. Players must set examples as they are role models to children.

Arsenal had a poor season, still a great team though. I think we will see a lot more from them next season.

Yes beating Man U, was a gift that Chelsea will be eternally grateful for.

I often roll back the years to the sixties and early seventies, when men went onto the pitch without hairspray or make up !

Subject: RE: BS: New soccer rule needed?
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 02 May 11 - 05:12 AM

Indeed to Paul's and C-flat's posts. I think Backwoodsman was over-pessimistic about how players & their agents wouldn't accept it: they have to accept what the competent authorities legislate; there has been surprisingly little opposition to the silly "shirt-off +celebrations = yellowcard"rule which I mention in my OP, hasn't there?

~M~

Subject: RE: BS: New soccer rule needed?
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 02 May 11 - 05:51 AM

Hope you're right Mike, and I hope something's done soon, along with suitable punishments for other forms of cheating that are rife in football today - diving, feigning injury, shirt-pulling, arm-wrestling, et al, ad nauseam.

Time for football to get back to being The Beautiful Game.

Subject: RE: BS: New soccer rule needed?
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 02 May 11 - 05:56 AM

Bring back the maximum wage for footballers.

Subject: RE: BS: New soccer rule needed?
From: MikeL2
Date: 02 May 11 - 06:53 AM

Hi

I am with the majority here who wish to see changes brought about to curb the stupidity and excesses performed by some players and teams.

IMHO these actions are getting progressively worse and something has to be done.

Having played Rugby Union at all levels in my younger life I would support the view that the first step would be to bring in two laws ( Not rules in RU) both mentioned here.

1. Only the captains to be able to approach the referee - having first requested to do so. In the good old days we could only speak to the ref if we called him "Sir".


2. The ten yards "rule" for any offence culminating in a penalty if the refusal to move back reaches the penalty area.

In another thread that ended up "above the line" I posed the question of introducing technology to assist in making difficult decisions. The Chelsea game on Saturday where two "no goals" were allowed by the officials highlighted the need to introduce some kind of technology as they have in cricket and rugby quite successfully.

Cheers

MikeL2

Subject: RE: BS: New soccer rule needed?
From: GUEST,Ralphie
Date: 02 May 11 - 07:45 AM

How about a "10 minute Sin-Bin" penalty for dissent? And if 4 or 5 players started having a go at the ref, the team concerned could end up with 7 or 8 players on the pitch for 10 minutes or so! Which would be fun!

Subject: RE: BS: New soccer rule needed?
From: GUEST,Irish Guest
Date: 02 May 11 - 08:28 AM

It does appear obvious that modern day Professional Footballers have taken far too much "control" of what the referee may allow during matches. It wasn't at all like this, as most older people will remember, some 30 or so years ago. But, is it true to say that the disrespectful behaviour towards the referee (and the spectating supporters of the opposition )has affected the way that non-professionals now behave during a match ? I haven't seen any Non-League football since that era.
I too played Non-League Football in the 60s and can still remember being sent-off for remonstrating with a referee for some decision of his.

Subject: RE: BS: New soccer rule needed?
From: Musket
Date: 02 May 11 - 01:51 PM

Rather astonished to read Richard Bridge's comment that people who associate with football as kids were the least intelligent or pleasant. (Also, he called it association football, but as I am not a Victorian, I'm not sure the quaint old name (from which soccer is an abbreviation incidentally) is relevant?)

Sorry but what utter tosh! Wow, what the hell is eating you?

I am obviously neither intelligent nor pleasant then. Intelligent enough to be financially comfortable and pleasant enough to be uncomfortable with such awful comments. I have always lived for my football and worship Sheffield Wednesday in the way some worship their God. Having read a few of your posts and posts of those who disagree with you most of the time, your interpretation of unpleasant is perhaps misplaced? Kids who play a sport instead of sitting around moping all day are the healthy ones. My lads, now in their late 20's are like me, fit as a butchers dog, oh and all of us with PhDs and I like to hope a balanced take on life. At any rate, we don't make ridiculous swipes at young lads like you just have. But perhaps we should be low life ne'r do wells because we like a sport. ZZZZZZ

Regarding the need for rules to be added. Yeah, the business side of football can be a little sordid in places and even where it isn't, the business pressures overtake the fact that this is sport. Sport first and business second, or at least it used to be before the money got out of hand. Now you can genuinely tell whether a team is going to be in the top or bottom half by the end of the season just by studying their business form.

Shouldn't be but it is. And it also explains the lack of respect for officials, as both bad decisions and good, if they are against you, can affect you and your employer financially.

Sad but there you go. Doesn't stop me enjoying the beautiful game though.

Subject: RE: BS: New soccer rule needed?
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 02 May 11 - 02:32 PM

While I am unsure of the validity of Richards post because I never did take much of an interest - And our school played both football and rugby league - I do know that football in general has too much influence on peoples lives. When all the media dedicate so much time to what is, basicaly, nothing but a pass-time, and when the players are payed such ludicrous amounts, is it any wonder that they take it so seriously?

Why should the non-interested public, which I believe is still in the majority, be subjected to hours and hours of meaningless so called entertainment? I honestly have nothing against the game, or any sport. Well, maybe willy wrestling but that's a different matter... But when people get so heated about it, as they undoubtably will on here, surely it is time to put it back in perspective. It realy is NOT a matter of life or death. It makes absolutley no difference to the world in general whether United or City win. It is a GAME. Nothing more, nothing less.

Cheers

MP

Subject: RE: BS: New soccer rule needed?
From: C-flat
Date: 02 May 11 - 03:43 PM

I agree, Mad Polly, just a game, but very deeply embedded in the social culture of some areas.
Don't kid yourself that you'd find more than a tiny minority, men or women, who don't recognise the local rivalry in places like Sunderland and Newcastle. I'm not talking about violence, there are enough idiots who find any mast to tie their colours to, but ordinary family people who feel passionately about supporting their local team.
Another North East town, Middlesbrough, has a population of around 140,000 and yet were selling 30,000 season tickets for the Riverside Stadium when Middlesbrough were at their footballing peak. That's 30,000 SEASON Tickets, not accounting for the vast majority of football fans who can't afford a season ticket and buy tickets as and when.
That's why it's so important that the footballing authorities look to the game of Rugby and embrace some of their good practices.
Within a generation we could have teams of sporting excellence, staffed by young men (however well paid) who know how to behave in victory and defeat, and who battle for every ball, no quarter given, but then applaud each other off the pitch when the ref blows time.
Lets give the kids decent role models and reap the rewards.

Subject: RE: BS: New soccer rule needed?
From: Rusty Dobro
Date: 02 May 11 - 03:53 PM

No need for any changes in football - everything's perfect. Southampton promoted to the Championship!

Subject: RE: BS: New soccer rule needed?
From: C-flat
Date: 02 May 11 - 05:06 PM

Congratulations, Rusty Dobro!!
You can look forward to at least one long trip to the North East next season!
No offence, but I hope your trip to Middlesbrough isn't too happy an experience!!

Subject: RE: BS: New soccer rule needed?
From: Rusty Dobro
Date: 03 May 11 - 03:07 AM

At least there's three easy points waiting for us at Ipswich!