 Table of Contents |
 |
Tackle ruling will bring chaos Published: March 06, 1998
The World Cup Finals are heading for chaos - on the pitch. In the midst of the ticket row and warnings of confusion around the grounds, the rule making board or world governing body FIFA have announced that the tackle from behind will merit a red card immediately from the start of the Finals in June. This is a decision that could have a drastic effect on the games this summer. The reason for this ruling is one of safety. The ruling body have long been concerned over the risk of injury to players when a tackle comes in from behind. At present it is a certain bookable offence and at the discretion of the referee as to whether to dismiss the offender. The new ruling will remove that discretion and could see a flurry of red cards and the showpiece of the game on a descent into farce as one tackle results in a sending off and the next one does not. The pressure on referees could become intolerable and coaches may find themselves with so many suspensions from their squad of 22 players when the new red cards are considered alongside other bookings that they cannot field a full side. It is rare for one player to go and deliberately injure another through a tackle from behind. Defenders go for the ball and players with their back to the goal as they receive possession have long expected some physical clash. It is part of the skill of the game to retain possession in such situations. Any mis-timed challenge for the ball could now see a player dismissed and the game instantly diminished by the loss. The tackle itself is now under threat as the coaches will have to see in actual World Cup[ matches on which their jobs and reputations depend to judge how wide the interpretation of 'from behind' by the referees actually is. This ruling makes the World Cup look completely different tonight. |