I didn't so 'complain', Kevin. I think it an excellent alternative to the award of a free kick: BUT an alternative, not to be invoked but then added to by having-it-both-ways subsequent reversion to a free kick if all doesn't turn out as the ref anticipated it might. If, as Dick makes the point above and you seem to imply, additional penalisation is needed, then a card can always be shown in addition, leading to risk of loss of a player later if a yellow; or, in serious cases, immediate loss by a red.

And, re your second & 3rd sentences, HOW, precisely, could it have the FX you suggest?

~M~