• 16 Jul 2024, 3:14 p.m.

    As of next season, the German leagues are introducing the rule that only the captains are allowed to talk to the ref. I don't have any use for rugby but this is one of the few things they do well.

  • 16 Jul 2024, 3:17 p.m.

    Again. Useful in a static set piece game. Problematic if Captain Kane has to jog back from the half way line to argue over a corner. I don't see why anyone can't talk to the ref....if they do it in an agitated or improper manner, or when they've been told not to, book or send them off. Any problem here is one of the refs making. They have the requisite powers to manage all situations on the pitch.

  • 16 Jul 2024, 3:47 p.m.

    Does this mean players can jog by the referee now, singing "What a cunt you are" at the top of their voice, and then deny they were talking to the referee?

    I'm unusually with Tricky. If the referees don't like how they're being talked to, book the players doing it.

  • 16 Jul 2024, 3:54 p.m.

    The problem is Ref’s never do it, same as with diving…

  • 16 Jul 2024, 3:55 p.m.

    If it was as easy as simply enforcing the existing rules then I'm sure they would. I don't have a problem with rule changes to emphasise correct behaviours - introducing a new rule means that players can't whine about being booked for stuff they used to get away with, it's not a change of interpretation and it's not a subjective ruling. Complain to the ref without an armband on, you get booked. The end.

  • 16 Jul 2024, 4:08 p.m.

    FTFY

    That's a substantive change to the game. If that makes sense why are captains allowed to talk to refs? What if the captain knows nothing about the incident under discussion? What if the ref asks the player a question?

    Communication is, and always has been, a necessary part of a competitive but fair game. All the best refs have a dialogue with players. If they can't manage that, they are a crap ref and things will quickly get out of hand. You can't manage a physical highly emotional competition just with a rule book.

    I sometimes think the powers that be won't be happy until all competition is taken out of the game, and everyone just shuts up and lets the vested interests wishes sail over untroubled waters to the desired outcome.

    Worse, the idiots who repeatedly swallow this crap will let them.

  • 16 Jul 2024, 4:53 p.m.

    Did I ever tell you my theory that increasing the number of available substitutes has robbed the game of it's attritional side and is a sad loss to those amongst us who enjoy the battle? No. Sorry. Well I did now.

  • 16 Jul 2024, 5:08 p.m.

    Attritional?

    I'd go the other way, because I don't want to see injured players limping on and getting hurt.

    I'd make it a game of fifteen outfield players. But I'd make it rolling subs, and I'd not let them stop. Constantly playing at pace will have a similar attritional effect. Hopefully without the thumbs down gladiatorial aspects.

    The biggest problem with the modern game is that every contact is a foul, so we all stop for hours on end, have a drink, have some energy gels, watch the telly for a bit, and make everyone miss the train.

    That needs fixing so that play is continuous, at pace, and where we don't have rugby type set pieces such that people get confused and think that lampposts are footballers.

  • 16 Jul 2024, 5:09 p.m.

    Better pitches don't help either.

  • 16 Jul 2024, 5:18 p.m.

    Obviously the more sensible amongst us can differentiate between appreciating athletic prowess and the risk posed by piss poor facilities.

    This is mostly sensible, particularly the spelling correction, if it achieves the same outcome.

    I was surprised early in the tournament that there was no double digit added time unless there was a real risk of death. This should help with catching the train.

  • Squad
    17 Jul 2024, 8:12 p.m.

    Fab is saying 50m euro plus add ons so perhaps the Beeb is including the add ons, much like reporters did for the MGW fee.

    Either way, lotta moolah.

  • 19 Jul 2024, 11:25 a.m.

    Which one, I lose track, the one after the one that went on for ages?

  • 19 Jul 2024, 11:29 a.m.

    Yeah that one.

    I don't get how they can continue to spend wedges on signing players when they're already hugely in debt and no imminent prospect of takeover. Indeed, the lastest one pulled out as they were concerned about the debt. Yet someone just goes 'Yeah cool. Let's spend £10m on that player". Who's signing that off in Everton, and at the company loaning them the money?

    It must be more complex than this, but on face value it seems bonkers. Like much of the PL really though.

  • 19 Jul 2024, 11:32 a.m.

    They are in the process of selling Onana to Villa for £50m, so they aren't spending out of debt, at least. Branthwaite is very sellable as well, if they really need to raise funds.