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FIFA bid to outlaw tackles Published:October 9th, 1997
FIFA, footballÆs governing body, last night proposed that traditional tackling methods should be banned from the game. The scheme was proposed by Sepp Blatter, the general secretary, who insisted the most gifted players need complete protection. Blatter said: "We must outlaw the tackle in the football of the future. We must prevent all this sliding. We have to take out all this aggression, especially in matches where the stakes are high." Blatter revealed the issue had already been raised with FIFAÆs International Board and would be fully discussed next March." Blatter also said that FIFA hoped to tighten the laws so that goalkeepers would not be able to handle headed back-passes in the 1998 World Cup in France. But the idea was booted into touch by Dave Mackay, the hard man in TottenhamÆs 1961 double-winning team. He said: "There is one word to describe FIFAÆs idea, and that is rubbish. Football without proper tackling would be about as much use as boxing without punches. Every last bit of entertainment would fly out of the window." |In another move, Blatter said FIFA wanted between now and the year 2000 to introduce professional referees in league football worldwide.
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