Fifa discussing rule that only captains can talk to referees

[JFK-1 1,690]

Fifa is discussing whether to allow only captains to speak to referees, says former Netherlands striker and manager Marco van Basten.

 

It would bring football in line with rugby union, which has strict rules around in-match communication.

 

Van Basten, Fifa's chief technical development officer, said there have been talks about how to improve player behaviour and respect for officials.

 

"There are a lot of players now who are complaining during a game," he said.

 

Speaking to the BBC, the former Ajax and AC Milan forward added: "I am sure the behaviour of the players can be better - we are thinking about putting it back in the right direction."

 

At the start of this season, English football announced plans to reduce "intolerable behaviour" by issuing red cards to players who confront match officials, use offensive language or make gestures towards them.

 

Fifa, football's world governing body, has recently introduced trials of video referees - where the match official can watch a pitch-side replay of key incidents on a small monitor.

 

It was used in this month's Club World Cup - and was commended by Fifa president Gianni Infantino.

 

"This is what we have to do to help the referees," Van Basten said about the introduction of technology and discussions around changing other rules.

 

"We try to make a good product - dynamic, exciting, but in the end also honest.

 

"There's a lot of emotion in the game and that's what's good - but we have to control it also."

 

Asked about comparisons with rugby, Van Basten replied: "I think we can learn from every sport and they can learn from us - but we have to confront the problem."

 

In rugby, only the captain is allowed to speak directly to the referee. In return, the referee is asked to communicate directly with the captain only.

 

http://www.bbc.com/sport/football/38423665

[pete 2,499]

Marco was a world class football player. A piss poor manager and god knows what he is doing at FIFA. Stick to the golf course Marco and save your legend status. You are making a dick of yourself.

[Bearman 9]

How would that have worked with the Rangers of old?

 

I'm Spartacus!!!...NO! I'm Spartacus....

[Gribz 743]

Rubgy Union has far more respect on the pitch than footballers who just mouth off so I don't see this working. But in theory a good idea.

[barca72 440]

One good thing, there would be no more Lennons on the park !!

[der Berliner 3,424]

IMHO, if refs would punish vile backtalk more severely, over the cause of a certain time, behaviour might improve. That said, if the above comes to pass, captains should get some leeway in these talks too, as refs are far from perfect and should be able to expect and accept criticism when it is due. Problem is, as much as players can quickly become "emotional upset", refs have a tendency to assume a "little monarch" attitude on the park. It will take years for players to accept the new rule and refs not to exploit it.

 

EDIT: Scottish Premiership refs will vote against that, as it would put them into direct contact with the Lego-Eater far more often than is the case nowadays ...

Edited December 26, 2016 by der Berliner

[boabie 230]

Having played both sports I've always held the opinion that any kid showing the promise of making it as a footballer should be forced to spend a period playing rugby to teach them respect for the authority of the referee. It might also speed up a soccer match by stopping the need to bring on medical assistance every time a player breaks a fingernail or a shoelace or similar.

A period driving motorcycles before being allowed to drive a car is another I'd recommend.

[the gunslinger 3,366]

Id simplify it and just ban motorcycles

 

 

[MacK1950 2,271]

A great idea but would still cause a lot of problems as the officials in football are so incompetent compared to those in rugby.