Evans fears advantage rule may prove a handicap

Roscommon football boss John Evans is opposed to the new advantage rule which will come into effect from tomorrow.

If a player is fouled under the new system, a referee, by raising his arm upright, may award the offended team a five second advantage as opposed to a free. Evans claims the advantage may prove beneficial close to goal, but will handicap a team further outfield.

“I wouldn’t be too keen on the five second advantage, especially when it is applied out the field. You could have a player surrounded by two or three opponents, he is fouled and the referee signals for a five second advantage. The player doesn’t have a lot of time to get to his feet and think about what he is going to do. More than likely he will give the ball to the closest man and if he is then dispossessed there really is no advantage,” noted Evans