Well I think it may well get changed too TSR, I actually wonder why we haven't had this discussion before, same as taking out players in the air law, we have all seen players Red carded for competing for the ball etc, but until it from the team we support we don't probably see the injustice of some of these calls.
The change for me is simple - judge the incident based on the intent and action rather than the outcome.
Let's take these two incidents under the current guidelines (correct me if I'm wrong, refs, but this is my understanding):
- Player has eyes for the ball but gets up slightly late. He clips the man in the air lightly, who then falls on his head. RED CARD.
- Player has no eyes for the ball and barrels into the legs of the man in the air. He does a full flip and lands on his feet. PENALTY.
See the problem?
The main question needs to be 'were they honestly competing for the ball?' and if that comes back as a 'yes' then red cards and suspensions should immediately be out of the question.
The landing position of the receiving player should be completely irrelevant.
.