Topic: FIVE Rule changes you'd like to see next year in the League

[Andy @ Allerton]

We've all seen that UEFA/FIFA have been plomping about with random rule changes - including various divvies standing in the area and doing bollocks all. We've seen a few other bits and bobs too.. But what FIVE rule changes would you bring in for next season if you had the power?

[El Monjo Boig]

Never going to happen, but I'd replace the last-man professional foul rule. So far as I'm concerned, if a player is bearing down on goal, 30 yards out and 1-on-1 with the keeper before he's scythed down by a defender, a fairer punishment would be to book the defender and give a penalty, whether it's in the box or not. When it comes down to it, in an important game, particularly late on, the defender would take the red and let the whole team get back to defend the free kick. I think a penalty would be fairer.

[Walshy®]

1. Instant red card for a dive.

2. Instant yellow card for backchatting the ref

3. Goal line technology

4. Ref's mic on loudspeaker so you can hear what is being said

5. "there was contact" isn't enough for it to be a foul.

6. If you give a penalty for a foul in the box, unless it was reckless and dangerous, then there should be no red as a penalty is enough.  Players make mistakes.  Not like a defender has much chance of giving fouls away in their attacking third is there.

[Andy @ Allerton]

My Five would be.


1. Goal line technology. Absolutely no excuses not to have this any more. Have a gimp in a room that has access to two or more (I'd say six - three in each goal) cameras. When there is a goal (It's over) then the referee is told by radio/signals and the game is stopped. Simple as that. Video replays of the goal decisions are all available online after the match.


2. THREE APPEALS process. Each side gets three appeals for dodgy decisions. All footage is now recorded and monitored by the same bod as in 1. above. If the appeal is correct then the decision is overturned. Whether it's successful or not then that appeal is gone. Managers guilty of three failed appeals in a match are fined. A record will be available for public perusal (online) after the match for all appeals and all video evidence thus reviewed.

3. An independant timekeeper. This time keeper is away from the referee, fourth official, linos and managers and keeps a careful record of timekeeping. This record will be available for public perusal (online) after the match.

4. Referees are randomly picked the night before a game. They are told on the morning of the game which fixtures they are going to do. They have an impartial third party 'minder' with them who gives them the information. Referees are not allowed contact with anyone on the night before the match nor on the day of the match. This is independantly verified by the third party.

5. Referees are universally miked up and this is relayed live as part of match coverage - the same as in Rugby. Players are told that if they are caught swearing on camera then they face a mandatory ten match ban. A repeat ban doubles the previous ban. A repeat ban means the player is no longer to ply their trade in the league. Half the problem with the modern game is continued dissent and disrespect to the officials. Being miked up means the public get to hear about decisions. These decisions are reviewed after every match by an independant panel with the results being available online after a match.

[SamAteTheRedAcid]

1. Goal line technology
2. Howard Webb not to be involved with any United games
3. Harry Redknapp to be banned from saying 't'riffic'
4. The centre circle to be replaced by an isoceles triangle to appeal more to the angular Chinese market
5. Corners to actually be taken from the corner, not about five yards outside the white bit.

[Walshy®]

5. Corners to actually be taken from the corner, not about five yards outside the white bit.

I really, really, really don't understand what players gain from having the ball half a yard outside the corner.

[SP]

I would settle for enforcement of the existing rules in the following 5 ways:

• Consistent definition of a foul. If shirt pulling is a foul in the centre circle, it is a foul in the penalty area. Sure there will be a glut of penalties as the rules start to be enforced, but the defenders will adapt.
  
• Dissent. If a player mouths off at the referee, book them. Kids copy what they do, and as a policy it will hit Wayne Rooney the hardest - surely a good yardstick.
• Players crowding referees after a contentious decision. Book them all.
• Players making a meal of a challenge with theatrical rolls etc. Book them for unsporting conduct, even if they were fouled. Exaggerated reaction with the aim of getting another player booked is textbook unsporting conduct.
• Give fouls when a player is impeded, even if they attempt to stay on their feet. Attempt to redress the balance back away from it being advantageous to hit the deck as often as possible

[felix.]

goal line technology.
video technology, ie 5th ref who views the same slow motion shots from 11 angles that we get on tv and tells the ref if he's in the wrong.
retrospective punishment, ie giving essien the 3 match ban he deserves for that 'challenge' on carroll, rather than saying 'the ref gave him a yellow at the time so there's nothing we can do.'
banish kevin friend and lee mason.

[Lucho_LFC8]

Just change the whole how much contact is needed for a free kick/penalty, to many players going down to easy and ruining the game, need to toughen up!!

Referee's to explain their decisions to managers at half time or full time or have a press conference and FA to be more consistent with punishments and to review tackles that were yellow but should be red, eg: essien on carroll

Goal line technology and if not that then 2 more assistants behind the net, it has worked in europe has it not?

More than 5 players crowd round the referee they, them players get booked, think they had that but it just seemed to dissapear?

and every post that you hit is worth 0.2 points, maybe we could get into champions league that way

[wardides]

I really, really, really don't understand what players gain from having the ball half a yard outside the corner.

Better angle to get the delivery in.

[Walshy®]

Better angle to get the delivery in.

Does it make much difference though?

[frag]

Does it make much difference though?

When i play i tend to do it just so i can have a bit more room from the corner flag.

[Red_Isle_Chap]

It's difficult. The changes that i think would benefit the modern game would only take it further away from the game we all fell in love with. So these are what i think would help make the game better, i don't necessarily want them in.....if that makes sense.

1. Use of video tech. Part of that is goalline, part of that is refs being able to review an incident before awarding a peno/goal/red card/whatever and part of that is an independant body who reviews all the games of the top 2 leagues and issues out retrospective action for dives, off the ball incidents, etc.

2. Change the yellow. What i mean by that should have been, make the yellow a 10 minute sin bin. Would a) cut out a lot of diving if someone knows that if they're caught not only are they punished, but their team is as well and also might help to calm players down so they don't get a couple of yellows in quick succession (not that you see it all that often these days, but still)

3. Refs to be accountable. IF the refs had full access to tech, for me it would mean that they should then be utterly accountable for their actions. Take Essians nailed on red against us, or Jonjo's couple that he could have seen red for (depending on what rulebook you look at). Friend is looking right at the incident. If (like on tuesday) he chooses to just book the player, then after the game Friend gets a punishment. Be it a fine, or a dropping from prem games for a week, or something. But they have to be more accountable for their decisions which have, this season especially, gone a long way to make the league pretty shite.

4. Wage structure throughout world football. 16 and under only allowed to be paid so much per week. 17 - 21 so much, 21 up only so much. ANd make it a figure that the working man can understand. 250 grand a week should be criminal for kicking a ball about, and it would lead into the last point which is the only one that should be implemented immediately for me...

5. Fixed ticket price. The charge should be the same around the prem, and by that i mean an affordable price. None of this 45 quid just to go to the match before you've even thought about having a drink rubbish. With the lowering of wages it would mean that clubs could afford to charge the fans less and still make their cash. i dunno, 25 quid tops for the good seats? Have an across the board price for under 18's as well, say no more than 15 quid?

That's what i think anyhow.

[scared_person]

Just one changefor me, and its to do with dissent. Any dissent = yellow card. Naughty word = red card. First weekend of the season each team would end match with at least one red, but they'd soon learn.

The reason kids and park footballers are abusing refs is that they see the pros get away with it every week. Very easy to sort out and I've no idea why it hasn't already been done. Abuse of refs by players just doesn't happen in other sports because it is punished correctly.

If a red card was the punishment for swearing at the ref then the culture of all levels of football would change for the better.

[djibril]

1.  10 second rule for goalkeepers holding the ball to come back.  I'm not sure if this was ever done away with (or whether it used to be 6 or 10 secs) but if it is NEVER applied.
2.  Throw ins (particularly those taken by Mr Delap) to be taken from where the ball went out and not 20 yards further up the pitch.
3.  Indirect free kick to be awarded when a goal kick doesnt leave the penalty area before the defender touches it.  Really annoys me the way the rule stands at the minute because if a keeper plays it blind to a defender who is going to be under pressure when he retrieves it, all he has to do is take possession before it leaves the box to get out of trouble.
4.  Instant booking for haranging the referee (Rooney) and possibly for vigorous claims for throw-ins etc that blatantly aren't yours (United do this a lot too - remember Neville used to be the worst for it).
5.  Retrospective punishment for dives missed during the game as well as extension to the rule where punishment cannot be applied retrospectively for offences that drew a booking yet shouldve been worse.

[shockwave_dave]

1. Automatic yellow card for backchat to a referee.

2. Referees hooked up to mics such as in American football, Rugby.

3. Goal line technology.

4. Retrospective punishment for diving.

5. Ability to challenge a decision - maybe 1 for each team

[AndyInVA]

5. Referees are universally miked up and this is relayed live as part of match coverage - the same as in Rugby. Players are told that if they are caught swearing on camera then they face a mandatory ten match ban. A repeat ban doubles the previous ban. A repeat ban means the player is no longer to ply their trade in the league. Half the problem with the modern game is continued dissent and disrespect to the officials. Being miked up means the public get to hear about decisions. These decisions are reviewed after every match by an independant panel with the results being available online after a match.

totally agree

[aliverbirduponmychest]

My Five would be.


1. Goal line technology. Absolutely no excuses not to have this any more. Have a gimp in a room that has access to two or more (I'd say six - three in each goal) cameras. When there is a goal (It's over) then the referee is told by radio/signals and the game is stopped. Simple as that. Video replays of the goal decisions are all available online after the match.


2. THREE APPEALS process. Each side gets three appeals for dodgy decisions. All footage is now recorded and monitored by the same bod as in 1. above. If the appeal is correct then the decision is overturned. Whether it's successful or not then that appeal is gone. Managers guilty of three failed appeals in a match are fined. A record will be available for public perusal (online) after the match for all appeals and all video evidence thus reviewed.

3. An independant timekeeper. This time keeper is away from the referee, fourth official, linos and managers and keeps a careful record of timekeeping. This record will be available for public perusal (online) after the match.

4. Referees are randomly picked the night before a game. They are told on the morning of the game which fixtures they are going to do. They have an impartial third party 'minder' with them who gives them the information. Referees are not allowed contact with anyone on the night before the match nor on the day of the match. This is independantly verified by the third party.

5. Referees are universally miked up and this is relayed live as part of match coverage - the same as in Rugby. Players are told that if they are caught swearing on camera then they face a mandatory ten match ban. A repeat ban doubles the previous ban. A repeat ban means the player is no longer to ply their trade in the league. Half the problem with the modern game is continued dissent and disrespect to the officials. Being miked up means the public get to hear about decisions. These decisions are reviewed after every match by an independant panel with the results being available online after a match.

All of these are far to sensible to be considered. It is the FA we're talking about.

[Sheik_Yerbouti]

1. Goal line technology

2. Last man foul rule, a penalty and a yellow is enough. Unless the foul itself is a straight red of course.

3. Offside rule, implementing that there has to be space between the attacking player and the second-to-last defender, including limbs. Making sure the linesmen has to be sure to call offside, not taking a gamble like they do now. I mean if you call an offside that isnt offside, then you didnt fucking see it, because it didnt happen so why the fuck did you call it ?

4. Forbidding players to wipe the ball dry when taking throw ins. Fuck you Stoke and Rory Delap.

5. Independant time keepers.

[Devon Red]

Lots of good ones so far, agree with many of them. Just one little thing to add; I really don't see the sense in banning players from possibly once-in-a-lifetime cup finals because they picked up a couple of yellows for petty fouls in earlier rounds. A yellow should stand as a punishment during the 90 minutes of a football match, not left hanging over players for several games afterwards. Red cards would still ban a player from a final (so Terry would still have to sit out the game in Munich) but we wouldn't see the daft situation of reducing teams by 4 or 5 players before a major final.

[LanceLink]

No Running
No Pushing
No Bombing
No Ducking
No Petting

[Djibriliant]

1. I'd like the FA to punish or review incidents, regardless of whether the referee has seen it or not. How many times have we seen something happen but because the player had been booked, no further action can be taken.

[Hij]

What happens if the player had cynically prevented attacks of the opposition in the final few minutes of the previous rounds but didn't mind because all he will get is a booking? Nah not having it.

[karl1987]

1. All refs should be made to publicly explain the decisions they make after the game has finished in a press conference like the managers.

2. A wage cap, therefore cheaper tickets.

3. Instant yellow card for swearing or having a go at a ref , even if player has already been booked.

4. Instead of added time, the clock should stop when someone is apparantly injured of when subs are being made, and whistle will therefore be on on the dot on 45 mins and 90 mins.

5. Players who win penalties by diving after clearly not being touched should be automatically banned for 1 game.

[beardsley4ever]

I'm going to take this opportunity to restate a rule change that I would love to see (that I came up with - go easy).

1) For games that require a winner (i.e. that currently end up with penalties in the event of a draw).  I would move the penalties to after full-time, but BEFORE extra time.  I would compress it to 3 penalties each, then sudden death penalties.  The winner of those penalties would then have a "half" goal advantage entering the 30 minutes of extra-time - i.e. in the event of a draw, then the team that won the penalty shoot-out before extra time wins the game/tie.  This means that we preserve the excitement of penalties, we ensure finality to the game, but the match ends playing football (not with penalties).  You also ensure that extra time will be incredibly exciting because one team will have to attack, and if they score they win (akin to the 80 minutes that followed Garcia's goal against Chelsea in 2005).  I'm a huge believer that this would improve games in cups.

2) I would move the offside line from midfield to 35 yards (or something like that).  It would create a lot more space in midfield, which I think needs to happen given the number of games now where both teams line up with 5-man midfields (or 433s or something like that).

3) Goal-line technology.  No debate for me.

4) Suspensions in cups for yellow cards would only be if you got one yellow card in two consecutive games - then you'd get a ban for the next (3rd) game. 

5) Allow punishments to be levied after the fact even if the referee "saw the infraction at the time". 

[INABITSKI]

1. Instant red card for a dive.

2. Instant yellow card for backchatting the ref

3. Goal line technology

3. An independant timekeeper.

4. Referees are randomly picked the night before a game.

4. Wage structure throughout world football. 16 and under only allowed to be paid so much per week. 17 - 21 so much, 21 up only so much. ANd make it a figure that the working man can understand. 250 grand a week should be criminal for kicking a ball about, and it would lead into the last point which is the only one that should be implemented immediately for me...

5. Fixed ticket price. The charge should be the same around the prem, and by that i mean an affordable price. None of this 45 quid just to go to the match before you've even thought about having a drink rubbish. With the lowering of wages it would mean that clubs could afford to charge the fans less and still make their cash. i dunno, 25 quid tops for the good seats? Have an across the board price for under 18's as well, say no more than 15 quid?

5.  Retrospective punishment for dives missed during the game as well as extension to the rule where punishment cannot be applied retrospectively for offences that drew a booking yet shouldve been worse.

Any or all of these.

[JohnBarnesBigToe]

1.   Goal line technology
2.   Tackling from behind rule to be enforced properly.
3.   Refs to be independently assessed after each game.
4.   Offside laws to be simplified. (IE back to what they were 10 years ago)
5.   Hitting the post/bar to count as half a goal 

[Port_vale_lad]

Any player diving should recieve a swift kick to the bollocks
Any player arguing with the ref,mandatory swift kick to the bollocks
Any player waving imaginary cards at the ref should get a swift kick in the bollocks
Any "fans" wearing stupid fucking Wanker Hats or taking fucking ipads to the game should get a swift kick to the bollocks
Any time any team in any division in england,scotland,wales score a goal then noel edmonds and jeremy kyle should get set on fire

[81a]

If the ref has to stop a corner to talk to two players who are holding and grabbing each other one or both of those two players should be made to stand outside the penalty area while the corner is taken.

Stop shithouse goalies gaining an advanatage wearing helmets that other goalies can't wear. Either he can't wear the thing or it becomes standard equipment for keepers..

[SJL]

My problem with using video technology with the view to an appeal process is that some managers may abuse the system. 

For example.  Sunderland verus Bolton.  Sunderland on the attack, ball comes in, one of theirs goes down, nobody thinks its a foul and the ball is cleared to a Bolton player who can put someone through one one one but O'Neill calls for the review to stop the counter.  Its an unlikely scenario but one that would make a complete mockery of the system.

[Ryan M]

Majority I agree with so no point in repeating the 'new' changes. One I would like to add though would be;

•Any player who receives treatment for an injury must sit out for 5 minutes from when play resumes. Can't stand players like Drogba, who roll around, receive treatment for ages then jog on like the magic sponge actually exhists and works!

[Kashinoda]

My problem with using video technology with the view to an appeal process is that some managers may abuse the system. 

For example.  Sunderland verus Bolton.  Sunderland on the attack, ball comes in, one of theirs goes down, nobody thinks its a foul and the ball is cleared to a Bolton player who can put someone through one one one but O'Neill calls for the review to stop the counter.  Its an unlikely scenario but one that would make a complete mockery of the system.

Which is why I doubt there will ever be that level of video review like we have in Rugby. Goal line technology is fair enough and can easily be implemented through existing hawkeye technology, appealing decisions on the other hand I can't ever see in football.

3. An independant timekeeper. This time keeper is away from the referee, fourth official, linos and managers and keeps a careful record of timekeeping. This record will be available for public perusal (online) after the match.

We already have an independent timekeeper, it's the fourth official. If you don't want it to be the forth official, it will still be someone the FA hires and appoints, so it's not like it would put to bed any conspiracy theories.

[Il Capitano]

ALL decisions made using video analysis by a fifth official with access to multiple camera angles and replays. No appeals - EVERY decision is made accountable.

ALL controversial incidents outlined and explained, post-match, by the referee.

Goal-line technology implemented.

[hollger]

1) Goal line technology - speaks for itself.
2) Automatic yellow card for diving and also over-reacting to fouls - as bad as each other. If you've been scythed down, then fucking lay there in pain - no need for 342 rolls to emphasise the point (I'm looking at YOU, Drogba!!).
3) Automatic yellow cards for all ridiculous back-chat to ref's & other officials.
4) Penalties given for the holding/pushing/general fouling in the penalty area on corners, free kicks etc.
5) Changing of the FA's get-out-of-jail card as to "if the ref dealt with it at the time, we can't do anything further". Take some responsibility!!

* As a caveat to all of the above, all to be handled retrospectively where necessary.

Better enforcing of existing rules would probably work in the majority of cases. I suppose that old cliché "all we want is consistency" applies here... The ref's need to be as consistent as possible. I know that's hard as they are all individuals and perceive situations differently, but they should all have the same basic training.

Where they clearly miss something, it should be dealt with retrospectively by the FA. Yes it is now (supposedly), but it's nowhere near often enough. If they get something wrong (e.g. Essien's "tackle" on Carroll this week) then regardless if they issued a yellow card or whatever at the time, the correct punishment should be applied retrospectively.

Fines are no good, so the only way players will learn is to suspend them. When their clubs are without them for 3 matches on a regular basis they'll soon learn their lesson, or they may be losing their jobs.

[Finn Solomon]

All accusations of racism to be handled by the proper legal authorities.

[Golden_Child]

Two points for a Man Utd/Everton win would be the only change I really want.

[dnkw]

Sin-bin - it would make it much easier for the refs to clamp down on dissent/diving/feigning injury (plus it's a more meaningful / immediately effective punishment compared to a yellow card).

Goal-line technology.

Universal salary cap (not gonna happen, but I can dream).

Make CL top clubs only / restore Cup Winner's Cup / Share the TV rights money equally for all 3 European Competitions

Investigate FIFA / Force them to be more transparent

[Prof]

The rule I've wanted for some time is the awarding of a penalty goal if a clear goalscoring chance is prevented through foul means.  The Suarez handball on the line would be given as a goal instead of a penalty and red card.  Similarly it would mean the double punishment of a penalty and red card would be a thing of the past.  It can ruin a game early on, and refs don't like to do it, so players often get away with it.  Just give the goal like a penalty try in rugby.

[Stag Beetle]

• Give fouls when a player is impeded, even if they attempt to stay on their feet. Attempt to redress the balance back away from it being advantageous to hit the deck as often as possible

This would be the best way to lessen the cases of diving. Most 'dives' are players falling over having been fouled because they know they won't receive the free kick or penalty if they stay on their feet.

[redbyrdz]

1. Changes to the FA's disciplinary system. Independent appeals board, maybe elected by all players/managers/refs, including non-league clubs. Up for re-election every season so if their neutrality is questioned, they won't get elected again. Proper appeals process that actually lets clubs contest decisions. Ability of voluntarily taking cases into the official courts.

2. Goal-line technology.

3. Get rid of the 5th official, seems to do nothing.

4. Get rid of pre-match handshakes

5. Refs to answer the media after matches