Post by bobgull on Apr 20, 2022 18:15:46 GMT
On Easter Monday Eastleigh took time wasting to a whole new level. MacDonald may take the occasional stroll along the 6 yard box now and again before a goal kick but the Eastleigh keeper sitting down completely off the ball in the 91st minute really tool the biscuit. Eastleigh players were going down like sacks of spuds holding their heads after the most innocuous of challenges. Surely this is simulation? You notice that Eastleigh (and other opposing teams) didn’t do this when they had the ball but only when Torquay looked like putting together a promising attack (obviously). On Monday, Eastleigh did not just break up the flow of the game but ruined the game for 3000+ spectators.
So, is it time for a change in the rules akin to rugby? If when a player went down holding his head the fourth official allowed the physio on while play continued there would be no advantage to be gained from feigning injury (or sitting down off the ball). Play would continue until the ball went out for a throw in, goal kick or corner, a goal was scored or the opposition regained possession and kicked the ball into touch. If there was no advantage to be gained from feigning a head injury this sort of gamesmanship would cease. If there was an obvious clash of heads the ref could always stop play.
As GJ says, football is in the entertainment business but at the moment the rules around head injuries can sometimes ruin the entertainment.
So, is it time for a change in the rules akin to rugby? If when a player went down holding his head the fourth official allowed the physio on while play continued there would be no advantage to be gained from feigning injury (or sitting down off the ball). Play would continue until the ball went out for a throw in, goal kick or corner, a goal was scored or the opposition regained possession and kicked the ball into touch. If there was no advantage to be gained from feigning a head injury this sort of gamesmanship would cease. If there was an obvious clash of heads the ref could always stop play.
As GJ says, football is in the entertainment business but at the moment the rules around head injuries can sometimes ruin the entertainment.
