The Ten Yard Rule: Some problems (Football in General)

Name: somersetsaint

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Product:	Football in General
Date:	26/09/00 (4 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: In theory prevents dissent

Disadvantages: Can disadvantage the wronged team

The FA have decided, in their infinite wisdom, to introduce this Ten Yard Rule into the league after an experiment last season in the Autoglass Windscreen Shield. In theory it sounds wonderful: if a player shows dissent after a free kick is awarded, the free kick is moved ten yards closer to the centre of the goal.

There are two major problems with the rule in practice, however. Firstly, the penalty is the same everywhere on the pitch, so if a free kick is conceded in the middle of the field the advantage is fairly minimal.

Secondly, envisage the scenario: Manchester United are awarded a free kick 25 yards from goal, dead centre of the pitch. Beckham gets ready to take the kick and reckons he has a good chance to score, but a player shows dissent and the ball is moved into the penalty area, roughly on the spot. The opposing team line up their players virtually on the goal line, and Beckham's chance to score is much reduced. Shouldn't United have the chance to choose whether the penalty is enforced? Maybe the opposition players should be moved back, but the free kick still be taken from the same position?

Indeed, under the current rules the following scenario could be envisaged: City are 1-0 up against Southampton in a crucial relegation battle, with seconds on the clock. Matt Le Tissier gets ready to fire a twenty-five yard shot towards goal, but a cynical opposition manager gets one of his players to *deliberately* concede the ten yards. Yes, he gets booked, but if it stops Saints scoring then no-one will care!

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