RateTheRef

For all the tinkering with the LOAF, lots of annoying, unsporting things could be solved quickly (for the benefit of fair play and a better spectacle) if they were punished consistently, without exception (even if that’s initially numerous YCs, second YCs). It’s done for shirt removal at goals (even if no one really cares about that) and it’s now just accepted. Examples, all players who:

- run over to get involved in an incident and escalate it
- run at / surround officials aggressively to protest / appeal
- follow refs to/from the OFR area
- players faffing around at PK trying to put off penalty taker
- wave imaginary cards trying to get other players carded

FA back refs completely - won’t entertain any complaints about refs who give out cards for these factual things. Everyone publicly warned in advance that refs have been told to clamp down. Make sure it doesn’t happen for a weekend then fizzle out and back to square one. Then up to clubs to self regulate or lose games - won’t need to be lots of cards if professional players adjust and simply don’t do these things.

Won’t happen! PL, run by clubs, don’t want that - want the entertainment and don’t care about the effect it has on refs/games at lower levels.