FIFA foul laws under scrutiny

THE interpretation of FIFA’s law 12, which covers fouls and misconduct, has come under the microscope this season following a series of high-profile incidents.

Red cards for Manchester City’s Vincent Kompany and Liverpool’s Jay Spearing, coupled with controversy over challenges by Frank Lampard and Glen Johnson which were not punished in the same manner, have sparked debate over the laws of the game.

There are small subtleties between tackles that are careless or of excessive force, but they carry very different penalties. Only the latter imposes the threat of a sending-off.