The Pepe Headbutt

comment by Kav H (U19426)
posted 3 minutes ago

How often do we see Rugby players behaving like that on the field screaming, abusing and pointing towards players and the referee - not very.

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yes but it's not quite comparable as rugby players take their aggression out on the opposition during the game and sometimes they do push other players when they're pi$sed off and things like tackle an opponent and rub their face in the ground in the process... a blind-eye is turned to that kind of behaviour in rugby but if that happened in football there would be outrage.

But I get your point about their respect towards refereeing decisions and not arguing with the officials.

I actually think a yellow card would have been fine.

Technically it was a red card offence but, since it wasn't dangerous, I think the referee should have used his discretion to keep it 11 v 11 & maintain the integrity of the result.

I was probably the only person who defended Howard Webb after the 2010 WC Final for not sending off De Jong for kicking Xabi Alonso. Ruining a WC Final as a contest, for that incident, would have been wrong.

Sömeday

Giving mics to refs was trialed many years ago and was quickly ceased.

Unfortunately due to player’s language (being picked up on mic) all broadcast games would have to come with an 18 certificate.

I remember Tony Adams being caught calling a ref a effing cheat which was heard by all…

comment by What would Stuart Pearce do? (U3126)
posted 3 minutes ago
Sömeday

Giving mics to refs was trialed many years ago and was quickly ceased.

Unfortunately due to player’s language (being picked up on mic) all broadcast games would have to come with an 18 certificate.

I remember Tony Adams being caught calling a ref a effing cheat which was heard by all…

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That's something that does not surprise me, though it is something that could be tackled (or at least attempted to be tackled) with cards and generally reduce dissent.

Maybe just a yellow card each time a referee hears a player swear at someone? That would cause a massive stir and players would have to watch themselves

IMO it would be fairly ambitious and nearly impossible to take swearing out of football. Given the fans are sometimes very close to the pitch their langauage could easily be mistaken by the referee for a players - especially in a large stadium.

If it was implemented at present there would be no players left on the pitch after 5 minutes.

I feel the rules at the moment are fine (on the whole) however referees could be assisted by a video official who could monitor the match (in a dugout/technical area) and communicate to the other officials by radio.

never a red in a billion years for me

not violent and absolutely no intention to cause even the tiniest bit of harm

the rules are fine, the refs misinterpret them IMO though

On the whole it's not really the sort of offence that ought warrant a red card, but it'd be difficult to reformulate the rules and still keep them practical - it'd lead to individual referees having even more discretion to decide the distinction between a red and a yellow, and it'd just be another thing for players to argue with the referee about. Rules as they are are harsh, but players know what they're getting themselves in for if they do that kind of thing and it's clear-cut what they can and cannot get away with.

are the rules actually 'if you touch your forehead to another players forehead with no intent to hurt them with the force of a falling feather, it's a straight red card no exceptions'?

I don't think that's the rule at all

Its not just the act itself, which everyone knows is a red card for violent conduct under current rules so there is no excuse for it, but if they stay on the pitch it sends the wrong message and opposing players can take the law into their own hands to get revenge. Its got to be a red card imo.

And then you have to take into account that he deliberately put his hand into an opponents face. No excuse for having your hand that high either, so although it was soft it deserved a yellow for that and then one from the headbutt if not a straight red, so hes off anyway.