Players have their say

By Mark Chaplin

Three former European football stars provided food for thought when they joined together with Europe's top referees for a debate on key areas of concern at the recent UEFA referees' course.

Famous players
The illustrious trio - ex-AC Milan and Croatia schemer Zvonimir Boban, one-time Real Madrid CF and Spain striker Emilio Butragueño and renowned former German midfielder Hansi Müller - came to the annual UEFA course in Antibes, France, to help draw up proposals on issues such as simulation, or the appropriate punishment for fouls in the penalty area which deny an obvious goal-scoring opportunity and which, under the current rules, entail a penalty and a red card.

Positive exchanges
UEFA encourages such dialogue, and welcomes the viewpoint of players who have amassed vast experience at the game's highest levels, especially if there is ultimate help to referees in fulfilling an increasingly difficult task. "Exchanging ideas is positive because it helps to improve and enrich the game," commented Butragueño. "In all walks of life, it is good to ask questions and to try to improve."

Excessive punishments
Butragueño and the other players expressed the view that, in many cases of fouls in the penalty area which deny a clear goal-scoring opportunity, the punishment - a penalty and red card - seems excessive, as the penalty restores a goal-scoring opportunity. They suggested that the Laws of the Game should be changed, allowing the referee to punish such cases with a penalty and a yellow card only - except where the tackle is considered to be a red-card offence. This supports a proposal to be discussed by the game's lawmakers, the International FA Board, at its annual meeting on 26 February.

'Greater flexibility'
Müller said: "Under the current rules, I often feel that the referee should be given greater flexibility, because some decisions seem unjust to the players, the coaches and the supporters." Butragueño added: "Awarding a penalty and reducing a team to ten players often has an adverse effect on the game as a spectacle, especially as many of the offences are committed when the goalkeeper goes for the ball with no intention of committing a foul."

Video evidence
Simulation - an element of the game where UEFA has vowed to launch a crackdown - was another major concern for the former players, and their views were given full endorsement by the referees. The players acknowledged that simulation is a difficult aspect for referees to control, but suggested that video evidence be used to open disciplinary proceedings in cases of blatant simulation with a view to punishing players who cheat and damage the image of the game.

Appropriate punishment
"The excesses that we sometimes see simply have to be punished," said Butragueño." Müller concurred that "the only way to preserve credibility is severe punishment that acts as a deterrent". The players also suggested that the same level of punishment should be meted out to players who score goals with deliberate use of the hand.

Protective role
Holding and shirt-pulling in the penalty area when corners or free-kicks are being taken provide further worries for referees. However, eradicating this from the game requires a concerted effort and understanding from players, coaches, public and media. The players also felt that creative elements are in danger. "Talent is precious and very often, the creative players suffer foul after foul after foul," Müller said. "We need to support referees if they show yellow cards to the offenders."