10 rule changes to improve football
Posted by DavidM in HOT Topics | 23 February 2011
This morning I read an article on Live4Liverpool listing their top ten rule changes.
They raise some very good changes that all fans I speak to, from whatever club, would like to see.
I hate players getting (1) a yellow card for taking their shirt off or (2) celebrating with fans. We all complain when our team lacks passion but these rules are designed to punish it at the key moment of the game. The reasons these rules are time wasting and crowd trouble. Both are rubbish.
Referees can already book a player for time wasting so let them celebrate how they want and if it's excessive, use that. As for crowd trouble, if a player's celebrations cause crowd problems then punish him, don't restrict everyone for the sake of a few.
Another one most fans hate, especially when talking to rugby fans is (3) dissent which should not be tolerated and referees should be much tougher on verbal challenges, swearing and pushing.
One that's more difficult to get the balance right is (4) physio on, player off. If this is enforced it drives down time wasting. However, if a player has been genuinely injured in a foul, why should he be further penalised by leaving the pitch? The problem is that it has become a weak rule and players still waste plenty of time before leaving the pitch for a very short period.
Live4Liverpool then move into grey areas for me. (5) is penalty encroachment. This isn't something I see as a big issue, the rules are there and if it becomes more problematic then the refs have the powers to deal with it already.
They also cite the 3rd and 4th linesman at European games and the lack of goal-line technology. I'm not overly keen on either of these. We've survived over 100 years without them so let's stop moaning and let the refs do their job.
The list also includes what appear to be pet hates - the Snood (has any garment generated so much hatred among football fans?) and nicknames on football shirts. Neither of these bother me or detract from the game.
Finally they raise undisclosed transfer fees. On one hand, transparency is good for the game. On the other, these are business deals and it's up to the clubs and players if they want to reveal their costs. As long as the FA have visibility that's all that's needed.
My additional rule changes include increasing punishments for feigning injury. (6) is that any player simulating injury to get an opponent a red card should themselves receive a red card instead of yellow. So if you dive in the box against the last defender, you're off. (7) is increasing the retrospective punishment for diving that the ref doesn't see or punishes too lightly. The penalty should be severe (5 game ban or more) for players who take a knock on the body then roll-around clutching their face - it's cheating and should be wiped out of the game.
I love the fact that we see some of the greatest players in the world in the Premier League, but we also need to encourage home-grown talent. So I support (8) changes to the squad rules to set a minimum number of British players. Even setting it at 5 per squad would make a positive difference.
At (9) is a cap on agent fees. Agents serve a purpose by smoothing the movement of players between clubs. But the sums involved are encouraging inappropriate behaviour. By capping agent fees and tightening rules governing agents we can move it back to them serving the industry rather than feeding off it.
Last but not least, (10) wage bills should be set as a maximum proportion of club turnover. While that will still be biased towards the larger clubs it will curb the ridiculous wages paid by a few super-wealthy clubs. It would be ideal if reductions in wage bills led to reduced ticket prices for fans but I have to be slightly realistic.
So that's my top ten. I'm sure next time I watch a game I'll see something else that iritates me and I'll add those to my next list.
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