McEnaney’s warning on ‘simulation’

GAA referees chief Pat McEnaney admits the black card could see an escalation in the number of players feigning fouls.

Simulation, as it stands, is a yellow card offence but it is rarely issued as referees find it difficult to distinguish between what is and isn’t a deliberate attempt to fake a foul.

However, from January 1 it is a black card offence for the player in possession of a ball to drag down the tackler in an attempt to hoodwink a referee into awarding him a free.