6 Aug 2009Red cards could carry longer bans

Football Leagues/ Association and Governance

Players may not automatically be banned for three matches following a straight red card under plans drawn up by the Football Association (FA).

Soon after English football's governing body unveiled a new initiative aimed at preventing managers from exerting pressure on referees prior to a game, details of a disciplinary process have been announced.

Under the new plans, the severity of injuries suffered by players involved in incidents relating to a red card will be taken into account before a decision over the length of the ban is decided.

The implication of this rule change is that the FA would have scope to ban players for more than three matches when they cause an injury which keeps a fellow professional out for a prolonged period of time.

However, the FA said this rule would only apply in "truly exceptional cases" and would take into account "intent and force" as well as the extent of the injury.

The standard ban "will remain appropriate in the vast majority of cases" and "it is not intended for this policy to encourage or lead to the systematic, regular review of standard punishments", [the] FA said in a statement on its website.

Meanwhile, bans picked up in pre-season friendlies will no longer impact on the regular season.

Written by Paul Roberts

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