A FIFA panel is considering a proposal to make referees more benevolent towards players who foul in the penalty area.
The FIFA Task Force Football 2014 led by Franz Beckenbauer agreed that the so-called “triple punishment” of penalty, red card and suspension is too severe.
“A penalty is enough if it is a simple foul or a tackle where you try to get the ball but you are a second late,” said Beckenbauer. “If you have a violent foul, if it would have been a red card anywhere on the field, then it’s a penalty and a red card.”
Red cards would still be given for handball offenses that stop a certain goal, under the 20-member panel’s proposal.FIFA’s head of refereeing, Massimo Busacca, said the proposal would have stopped him sending off South Africa’s goalkeeper in a 2010 World Cup match against Uruguay.
Busacca dismissed Itumeleng Khune for bringing down Luis Suarez despite only slight contact. South Africa lost 3-0 and Khune missed the final group-stage match against France.Video of Khune’s foul….