We are always looking for ways to improve football. Innovations in rules and technology have been commonplace in recent years, and the game has improved as a result.
The likes of VAR and goal-line technology have certainly added to the sport. There have also been smaller changes, such as the rule the allowed kick-offs to be passed backwards. Next season, players being substituted will have to exit the pitch at the nearest possible point, while goals scored with the arm will no longer count under any circumstances.
For some, that is not enough. Tony Cascarino is one of those people. Speaking on talkSPORT, he suggested a batshit insane rule to 'improve' the awarding of penalties. Essentially, he wants to add a second penalty spot on the edge of the box for smaller offences committed inside the box:
"There should be two penalty spots.”
“One at 12 yards and another on the edge of the 18 yard box.” 🎯
“Some penalties are so ridiculously a reward, you get a shot free at goal.”@TonyCascarino62 suggests a bold change to the penalty kick laws 👀 pic.twitter.com/Z0QSkiWH9P— talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) March 17, 2019
If you said there was two penalty spots, one where it is now at 12 yards and one at the edge of the 18-yard box. Because some penalties are such a ridiculous reward, when you are getting a shot free at goal against the 'keeper when you are clearly at the edge of the 18-yard box and have no way of scoring.
If you have two penalty spots, where a referee could go 'that is a penalty, it is a foul, but I'm not going to give it from 12 yards'. Is that so ridiculous...
I just think in football sometimes we have to be prepared to be brave. I look at the penalty as a totally unjust decision on certain types that are given.
This is the worst suggestion we have seen in a while. A foul is a foul, no matter what area of the pitch.
The pressure this would put on referees would be outrageous. Awarding penalties is a big enough decision, but imagine having to then decide if it was a bad enough offence to award a category one (or something along those lines) penalty? Madness.
Back to the drawing board I'd say Tony.
