Players kick each other during the course of play 100+ times a match - we don't send every single one off. Instead, we consider context, force, intent etc etc. Again, this is cart leading the horse logic - you want to send off, so you're ignoring all the other factors you would typically consider in order to reach the decision you're desperate to reach.
The lunge section still requires "excessive force or endangering the safety of the opponent": a tap to the ankle is not excessive force and we've already discussed how considering ground impact as dangerous opens a whole can of worms.
Similarly, even when not challenging for the ball, violent contact still requires "excessive force or brutality", which simply do not apply here.
The only possible way to apply these laws to get to a red card involves sticking your fingers in your ears and ignoring half of the requirements. I'd be the first to celebrate if laws changed to actually allow for a red here - but it's not our place to just start making things up and hoping our decisions end up being correct based on 2025/26 LOTG.
A perfect example of what I'm saying.It's a lunge, that ticks a red card for SFP. It is deliberately kicking an opponent, that ticks a red card for VC. Take your pick.
The lunge section still requires "excessive force or endangering the safety of the opponent": a tap to the ankle is not excessive force and we've already discussed how considering ground impact as dangerous opens a whole can of worms.
Similarly, even when not challenging for the ball, violent contact still requires "excessive force or brutality", which simply do not apply here.
The only possible way to apply these laws to get to a red card involves sticking your fingers in your ears and ignoring half of the requirements. I'd be the first to celebrate if laws changed to actually allow for a red here - but it's not our place to just start making things up and hoping our decisions end up being correct based on 2025/26 LOTG.