Boxing Day Decorated in Red
Thursday, December 27th, 2007 by Dina Ely
For Boxing Day we received two feet, studs up, careless, high, handball, tantrums—it reads like a violent version of “The Twelve Days of Christmasâ€, but it was the reality of one high-profile soccer day. This year the buzz of Boxing Day was marked by 19 red cards across English leagues. Premier League, Championship, League Two, and League One all shared in the wealth of poor behavior. The record-setting count has prompted journalists and commentators to note the distinct lack of “good will towards men†displayed during the holiday’s matches.
The most notable trend among red card offenses yesterday was two-footed challenges; players lunged into tackles with reckless abandon and were met with appropriate punishment. It may be that none was more deserving than Ricardo Carvalho of Chelsea, who tackled Aston Villa’s Gabriel Agbonlahor so poorly he was made to apologize. The Chelsea vs. Aston Villa match alone drew three red cards. (Two of the three—Ashley Cole for a handball and Zat Knight for a foul against Michael Ballack—are being appealed by their respective teams.)
Brynjar Gunnarsson was the first to earn a red card while Reading faced West Ham: his poor challenge on West Ham’s Hayden Mullins will cost him the next three games. Ricardo Carvalho will be suspended for the same period.
With the alarming rise in popularity of dangerous challenges, perhaps due to inconsistent rulings in the past, referees appear to be tightening the leash. According to The Professional Game Match Officials Board no such direction has been issued, but if the trend is allowed to continue unabated it will surely be a matter of time until tragedy strikes. As yesterday demonstrated, red cards are increasingly dispensed more liberally for challenges that not only violate rules but could cause serious harm. Whether it is absentminded pursuit of the ball or mindful risk due to lack of repercussion that prompts poor tackles, Boxing Day 2007 may serve as a reminder that players need to stay sharp when it comes to the safety of others.
Source:
Daily Mail
Sky Sports
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