110% Football

The Red Card Debate

So I've decided to make a return to my blog today, I haven't been able to post for ages due to University and work literally taking up all my time, so I apologise to any people who have checked the site recently.

This debate is something i feel very strongly about;

My opinion is Red Cards for many of the tackles recently has become a joke, its almost like we are trying to make football into a non-contact sport. In my opinion if the ball is won and the player clearly hasn't gone in with intent to injure a player it should just be a foul and lets get on with the game. A few years ago these sorts of tackles would be applauded, I found myself watching the Manchester United Vs Manchester City game, I saw the Vincent Kompany tackle and I was genuinely saying to my dad what a cracking tackle it was, only to mine and my dads disbelief when the referee awarded a free-kick and to see the Red Card produced just got me angry and I refused to watch the rest of the game.

I will now go through a few of the recent tackles and give my opinions on them;

Vincent Kompany

vs Manchester United

Well I spoke earlier about this tackle and I believe the fact he got sent off is a joke and the fact it didn't get rescinded on appeal sets a bad example to referees who now will have to send everyone off for that sort of tackle. I think the real thing that frustrates me is the fact that you look at the player been tackled, Nani makes no reaction at all he just goes to play on and win the ball back.

My verdict: No foul and no card!!!

Nedan Milijas

vs Arsenal

This decision in my eyes is absolutely atrocious, in this situation myself i would've simply played advantage as Arsenal would have been in the box and looked in a threatening position. It was a strong tackle but in my eyes that is what you want to see, a player giving 100% for his football club. His foot isn't really off the ground, he definitely doesn't go over the top of the ball and i don't believe he puts the player in any danger. Its just a fair tough tackle!

My Verdict: No foul and no card!!!

Glen Johnson

vs Man City

Now then, in my eyes I think this tackle is worse than Kompanys but I still don't see anything wrong with it, in fact I want to see more tackles like this, strong tackles that clearly have no intent other than to win the ball. The referee made the correct decision here in my opinion, so I'll credit the referee here, but when you put that and Kompanys tackle together i can see no difference whatsoever so the referees need to sort themselves out and be consistent in decision making!

My verdict : No foul and no card!!!

As you can see i am a real stickler for players getting stuck in and giving 100% for the team and not backing out of anything. I just feel that decisions like this are making people scared to tackle and this just isn't right, tackling is a vital part of the game. Imagine how many times players like Martin Keown, David Batty and the likes would be sent off these days, i don't think they'd ever last the full 90 minutes!

These are tackles people should be sent off for!!!

Not tackles that win the ball!!!