Strong Central Council backing for discipline review

PROPOSED changes in the disciplinary system, which would see the ‘ticking’ system ended and replacements allowed for players sidelined after a repeat cautionable offence, received strong backing from the Central Council at the weekend.

However, it will take a motion to next year’s annual Congress in Sligo in April to effect the necessary change of rule.

“The feedback we have been getting around the country is that this is badly required,” commented Pat Daly, director of games in Croke Park, who made a presentation at the meeting with chairman of the Disciplinary Task Force Liam O’Neill.

“The question was asked (by delegates) if this could be introduced immediately, or do we have to wait until Congress. We were talking about maybe bringing it in for the National League next year, because they’re meant to have experimentation.

“The general feeling was that this needs to be brought in sooner rather than later.”

Daly explained the proposed new system does not involve players being sin-binned, but rather that a player sent off after receiving a warning is sent off for the rest of the game, including extra time. However, he can be replaced, but not after receiving a red card.

The new system is meant to be simpler to administer for the referee and easier for the spectator to follow. In the case of a player committing a minor offence, he is shown a yellow card. And, on repeating a similar offence, the referee will signal to him that he is being sent off for the remainder of the match (to be replaced by a substitute).

“The referee would also be able to send a player off immediately (without showing him a yellow card) if he pulls down an opponent, body-checks him, commits a professional foul, or uses unreasonable or unnecessary force.

“A yellow card is a warning,” he added. “Alternatively, the referee can signal the first time for a cynical foul and there’s a red card after that.”