Refs chief: Cynical fouls should earn a 20m free-in

Referees chief Willie Barrett is in favour of cynical play being punished by a 20-metre free. The Tipperary native stopped short of calling for a black card, but agrees with Irish Examiner columnist Brian Gavin that a close-range free should be awarded as well on top of a yellow card being issued to the offending player.

Gavin believes the free against three defenders on the goal-line would deter teams from making professional fouls. What those fouls are exactly will have to be determined, but they could be similar to the black card infringements in Gaelic football such as drag downs, trips and deliberate body checks.