Football News

No clampdown on tackles

No clampdown on tackles


No clampdown on tackles

The Professional Game Match Officials Board has stated that there has been no clampdown on two-footed challenges despite Ricardo Carvalho, Stephen Ireland, Brynjar Gunnarsson and Peter Crouch all being sent off in recent weeks for such challenges.

"The issue of the two-footed challenges was discussed at the regular pre-season meetings the PGMOB hold with managers and players," said a spokesman for the PGMOB.

"They were reminded of the key point surrounding the excessive use of force in the tackle.

"A player who jumps into a tackle two-footed is not in control of himself and therefore if he makes contact with the player, ball and player, or if the referee determines there to be excessive malice in the challenge, he will be dismissed.

"There has been no 'clampdown' on the tackle or new directive issued - referees are simply applying the law as it has always stood."