If you could change 3 things about football, what would they be? It could be anything, but preferably things that realistically could be changed - i.e. "bombing the whole town of O*ford" is probably not an option
. Perhaps it would be a change to rules, to structure, to grounds, to leagues or governing bodies.My 3 are rule based. There are lots of things people would like to see different. Perhaps you would like to see a change to the off-side rule. Perhaps you hate the fact that something can be a foul outside the box, but OK in it. Maybe time-wasting gets your back up. My three are all based around the fact that I want to see 11 v 11, with more flowing play and less stoppages...
1) What constitutes a foul?
IMHO, a foul should only be given, regardless of where you are on the pitch, if by way of a deliberate act, or recklessness, your actions cause contact with an opponent which stop him from proceeding.
I don't believe in the theory, "There was contact. Therefore, he was entitled to go down." IMHO, and with the above change, he would only be entitled to go down, if the contact causes him to. I would like to see the onus put on players to continue if they are able to.
Also, it would stop a lot of free-kicks being 'earned' - For instance - A player is running with the ball and a defender is chasing him. Just as the defender catches him, the attacker sees him and cuts across him, knowing the defender will not be able to stop. They make contact and the attacker goes down. IMHO, this should not be a foul by the defender, because the contact was not caused by a deliberate or reckless act on his part. If anything, the free kick should go in his favour, because the forward has deliberately caused the contact.
2) What deserves a red or yellow card?
I want to see 11 v 11. In today's game, players seem to be booked for almost any foul. The punishment for a foul is actually a free kick. Let that be. I don't want to see players making a genuine attempt for the ball get booked, because the attacker just poked it away as they were about to get it. So, for me...
Yellow Card
Only given for challenges that are cynical or reckless or if they are mis-timed and prevent a reasonable goalscoring opportunity or reckless in a way that potentially could be dangerous
An example of cynical - You have a corner and the ball comes out to a player on the edge of their area and they have a chance to break, so you just bring the guy down, to give your team a chance to re-group.
A reckless challenge that prevents a reasonable goalscoring opportunity would be one where the intention seems to be to win the ball. If it isn't reckless and is a pure accident or the contact is initiated by the attacker, then no foul (See above) but if a player simply mis-times his challenge, a Yellow will suffice.
An example of the reckless kind would be where you go into a challenge, intending to win the ball, but failing to do so, but with both feet off of the ground. You are out of control and it could potentially be dangerous
Red Card
Only given for a challenge with apparent intent to injure, genuinely dangerous tackle or a cynical foul that prevents a reasonable goalscoring opportunity.
So, if a player seems to go in, looking to injure his opponent or perhaps accidentally puts studs into his opponents chest, he should be off.
If he prevents a goalscoring opportunity and it seems to be deliberate, bye bye.
3) The Amber Card
No, you didn't mis-read that. I did say 'Amber' Card. It could be amber, blue, green or pink with sky blue polker dots, but I am talking about the introduction of a third type of card. This would be used for offences that are not against the opposing team. Such things as decent (Whether verbal at the ref or perhaps kicking the ball away) or leaving the field of play or removing your shirt, when celebrating a goal.
The idea of the amber card is that it does not count towards a red card. You can get 10 in a game, but never be sent off. The offence isn't against your opponent, so they don't gain an advantage from it.
Instead, you will be subject to supplementary discipline. You would be suspended when you reach a certain amount (I would suggest 3) of amber cards and, in professional football, you would face a fine, every time you got one. In addition, once a team reached a certain number (Suggestion - 10) of amber cards, they would get a large fine and the manager/coach would receive a touchline ban, for failing to control his players.
I would then suggest that these cards are given out at every show of decent, rather than just the worst ones. Every time you talk back to the ref, you get an amber card, a fine and move a step closer to a suspension. I believe players would quickly discover a new found respect for the referees.
The result is that you are punished for these kinds of offences, but the team you are playing against doesn't end up with a man advantage, because of offences that were not against them.
Summary
IMHO, the biggest skill these days is trying to win a free kick. I want to see ball skills instead.
I don't want to see players sent off, because 11 v 10 often ends the game as a contest and creates a more crowded game, where 20 players are all in the same half of the pitch. Before the premiership, it was big news if there was a sending off in the first division. Now, it would be big news if a weekend went by without a sending off. It has become too regular.
You may think they are crazy ideas, especially the last one, but I believe that these three changes would mean much more 11 v 11 play, while not compromising the need to protect the skilful players or the need for respect for officials. Players would still be booked or sent off for dangerous play, but with the onus being on players to try to continue, we would see skilful players carry on, rather than try to win free kicks. Not only would the skilful players be protected, but we would be more likely to see them showing off their skills.
Discuss and give your 3 changes...
</war and peace>
