Red cards deprive everyone a balanced and equal contest. The offend player may not be able to continue. The offending team is now disadvantaged for the balance of the game, whether it be for five minutes from the start or five minutes from the end.
The fans who have paid to watch two competing teams of equal numbers sometimes leave the stadium because 15 players playing 14 players is too nig a challenge to overcome, especially if the incident occurs early in the game.
It suits nobody except media, commentators and talk-back, who milk the incident for all it’s worth.
Nobody would suggest that foul play or the breaking of rules, whether it be intentional or unintentional, is acceptable. However, there is a need to address the injustice in a better way.
For minor indiscretions of foul play, the yellow card and ten minutes sin-binning is acceptable. However, to remove a player for the entirety of the game is not.
I suggest a player who earns a red card receives a ten minutes in the sin bin and is cited, automatically receives a two game stand-down, and the judiciary may impose further games off, depending upon the circumstances.
Furthermore, the player’s team automatically loses two competition points, which is added to the offending team’s competition points. Should the offending player be cited again for foul play during the season, the player stands down for the rest of the season, but is not prevented from playing in a lower competition.
This provides a balanced solution for all. It satisfies the fans, the injured party, recompenses their team, and penalises the offender and the offender’s team yet still allows the game to continue in a balanced form.
CUW
Guest
@ Shop : the best analogy i have to ur suggestion is a controversial one. in some countries the death penalty (or life sentence) is capped at 25 years , where as in others life sentence means untill u die in prison.
ClarkeG
Guest
It surprises me that a person would submit an article to a public discussion forum, proposing resolutions to an issue they obviously feel strongly about, yet will not discuss or debate it. But maybe I'm just easily surprised. Never mind as I said.
Michael Warren
Roar Guru
Too long to debate but noted the good and valued points put forward thanks Clarky
ClarkeG
Guest
It creates an imbalance. Ahhh yes that is the whole point. We don't send players off to make things even do we. Don't see why you thought I missed that. But you have not really addressed the points I raised but never mind.
Michael Warren
Roar Guru
Thanks Colvin, There must be something better than the current status quo, and I offered suggestions to do that. (Some of my argument appear to have been re- edited.)
Michael Warren
Roar Guru
Clarky, your points are noted but the one you miss is that the Red card creates an in-balance for all and although used as a "punishment" for the player action, it creates too much unbalance. A Red card is for the most serious offences but it's consequences should be determined AFTER the game, not spoiling an entire game at the time. The time to determine the severity is in the cold light of day and after hearings, not in the heat of the moment that may, by the one action in one game by one player, prevent his team from winning say a competition by player actions some time previous. I am also not arguing on the merits of a Red card but the point that there are better ways to give balance to all and I offered a suggestions that may improve the current rule.
Shop
Guest
I'm all for red cards and agree that both the Emery and Zas cards were good decisions. I just think that instead of being a man down for the whole game, a replacement may be substituted after 20 minutes.
Hoy
Roar Guru
Why are the Reds contentious? Take a player out in the air, and it is dangerous? Red card. Everyone knows it... it isn't contentious. The only reason it might be contentious is if it is for continued penalties, and even then, there must be some warning mustn't there? Like the dozen or so penalties, then the yellow, then the stupid restart of the penalty count before warning number 2? I say leave the Red cards.
Sircoolalot
Guest
I feel the game is shooting itself in trying to simplify the penalising process of a inherently complicated game. It seems like many posters on here are basing their knowledge more on dogma rather than fairness or common sense to be frank. I believe there needs to be a clear distinction between a professional foul, unsportsmanlike conduct and violence. Following the soccer and leaguey model in the first place was a stupid decision, and more based on laziness than anything practical in my opinion, also soccer is a non contact sport for god's sake why would you follow their procedures?! Looking to American sports such as Ice Hockey would be a more applicable model to use, where they have different tiers of penalties. For instance just as an example how about making all professional fouls sinbinable offences, however i would reduce sinbin times and i would destroy the yellow card, red card system so you don't get sent off for being shown two yellow cards. I haven't done full research yet on it. But i'm just putting it out there so others can think about it as well. It would make it easier for the referees and more importantly not ruin the game for the fans.
ClarkeG
Guest
Michael - The fan that paid his money has in fact paid to see a game. True - it is expected that both teams start the match with equal numbers but what happens after that depends on many variables. The fan that leaves the stadium because a player has been sent off is entitled to do so. Will that fan return if, as he is leaving, the other side has a player sent off? Well why not. After all he did want to see two teams of equal numbers. You said it suits nobody. Ummm not true. It suits me. When I go to or watch a match on tv I accept those many variables that I mentioned. But if you see the need for both teams to have equal numbers then why would it be acceptable to you to even have a sin bin at all. What if a team were to say have 3 players sin binned throughout the match? That means one team would play 30 mins with only 14 players or potentially 12 for some period. You suggest what you call a balanced solution to the issue of having a player sent off. Really? Hardly. Any player sent off earns an automatic 2 game suspension? Surely a player is entitled to defend his actions if he chooses. His team looses 2 competition points? (I’m assuming you mean ½ the points for a win) Wow - a stiff penalty indeed which the team should be entitled to defend. Add the 2 competition points taken away to the points earned by the other team? Is that what you meant? Gee whiz. Can you not see the injustice that may create? What a whole lot of trouble you are heading for there. Wombats have a player sent off 2 mins before full time. They lose 2 comp points. The Bears gain 2. As a result the Bears make the playoffs ahead of another team. Yeah that is going to work. And then you say a player stood down for the season would be allowed to play in a lower level competition. Why on earth would you allow that?
CUW
Guest
that is a very damaging statement. " Not many coaches are going to tell a player to thump someone at the risk of having 20 minutes a man down. " i am 200% sure no coach tells his players to commit fouls that would draw a red card !!!!! if u have been watching the matches and in particular the red cards given to players , they were not deliberate fouls. they were more or less unfortunate accidents but due to the "player safety" requirements merit a red card. all these arguements are coming out becoz many people feel that both Enmery and Saz did not go intending to commit a foul play. obviously it is different from a kick to the head or a guillatine choke. however , red cards are a must and they are fine as implemented for the discipline in the game.
Shop
Guest
Red cards exist for a reason, yes. I just think the player should be penalised harder than the team. As I say above, I think 20 minutes (still a stiff penalty) and then a replacement can come on. Not many coaches are going to tell a player to thump someone at the risk of having 20 minutes a man down.
kingplaymaker
Roar Guru
Agree more or less Shop. Red cards often spell the end of the match which no one wants, and are often contentious. It would be better to have less punishment at the time, like 20 minutes, but much more serious disciplinary punishments, suffice to put players off ever committing such offences. However I can see an objection in knockout matches where a player would be willing to risk getting caught in order to injure a critical player in the opposition for example.
Paul
Guest
No, Red cards exist because a serious in game sanction is necessary for serious in game offences. What should happen to a team in a final if a player in the first 10 minutes punches a prone player, or picks someone up and dumps them on their head, putting them out of the game? 10 minutes off only? Any future sanction against preseason or early round games next year doesn't equate to the affect in a final. Maybe the player is retiring? You see it only as a disadvantage to be down a player. I see it as a disincentive aimed at preventing foul play.
colvin
Guest
Michael, Good luck on this one. I have been banging on about red cards for years and ramped it up with the Warburton RC at the 2011 RWC. Unfortunately in this world other people are allowed opinions and that's why Donald Trump is so close to becoming leader of the free world. The game ruining process of RCs will change in time but who knows when. Possibly after the RWC final in 2019 if England make the final and lose, because one of their players gets an unlucky RC early on.
Shaun
Guest
I think the red card needs to stay. It serves its intended purpose as a deterrent for serious offences. These are professional athletes who are paid to play the game, they should be disciplined enough to refrain from getting a red card.
Wayne
Roar Guru
Tough, don't get a Red Card. In most sports, it takes a pretty big offensive to get a Straight Red. Don't do something stupid, like a studs up tackle, cheap shot etc.
Shop
Guest
I think the best way to deal with a red card offence is the player leaves the field and doesn't return (next stop the judiciary). After 20 minutes a replacement can take his place. Still a damaging sanction to the team but not completely crippling if there is a send off in the first few minutes.