Quote Originally Posted by splott parker View Post
It is hard for refs but they are professional refs now and handling things like this should be part of their job. In this situation, where both players are at it, how about, neither side has a free kick but when the ball next goes dead, both players are yellow carded. Equal punishment for both offenders. Snide, niggly play needs to be erased from the game, if a few sendings off leads to this all well & good I say.
If these things are to be eradicated it would need a culture change throughout the game involving the players, the coaching staff, the supporters and the authorities.

It won’t happen, though. Players will continue to cheat, coaches and fans will continue to complain about that when it negatively impacts their teams but condone it when it favours them, and the authorities will come up with ever more tedious but futile efforts to combat it.

All the while, match officials will continue to take the blame because it’s easier for everyone that way.