So, been a while coming, but had to issue my first two red cards in the same game this weekend - U15.
Red #1: Attacking player #11 is legally shielding the ball and lays it off to a teammate. Meanwhile, in frustration, the defending player who was held up from getting the ball turns round a couple of seconds later and kicks attacking player #11 on his knee when the ball is halfway down the wing. Textbook violent conduct.
Red #2: Ball is in the air, two players are legally challenging for it, defensive player loses out whilst the ball is bouncing, turns round, and spikes his opponent with his studs just below the knee. Again, textbook violent conduct.
Mass confrontation later came out of nowhere - will be a fun report to write. My issue is that one of the coaches (who claimed "I'm a ref!") said he would only have given both of them a "talking to" - if he's letting players get away with these, no wonder they think it's acceptable. The age old excuse 'but you see it in the PL every week ref!' was also thrown out. Will sleep easy tonight, no doubt about it.
Red #1: Attacking player #11 is legally shielding the ball and lays it off to a teammate. Meanwhile, in frustration, the defending player who was held up from getting the ball turns round a couple of seconds later and kicks attacking player #11 on his knee when the ball is halfway down the wing. Textbook violent conduct.
Red #2: Ball is in the air, two players are legally challenging for it, defensive player loses out whilst the ball is bouncing, turns round, and spikes his opponent with his studs just below the knee. Again, textbook violent conduct.
Mass confrontation later came out of nowhere - will be a fun report to write. My issue is that one of the coaches (who claimed "I'm a ref!") said he would only have given both of them a "talking to" - if he's letting players get away with these, no wonder they think it's acceptable. The age old excuse 'but you see it in the PL every week ref!' was also thrown out. Will sleep easy tonight, no doubt about it.