Former Test referee Andre Watson says red cards should only be issued for highly dangerous and dirty play after a couple of recent controversial decisions in high-profile matches.
World Rugby recently held a meeting with players and coaches at Heathrow Airport to find solutions to the current confusion over red cards.
The goal was to try and avoid incidents like the one that saw England fullback Freddie Steward sent off in the Six Nations clash against Ireland, ahead of the World Cup in France.
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World Rugby are reportedly considering following Super Rugby’s example and introducing an innovative law change which will see referees only able to yellow card players unless they are absolutely sure that a foul play incident constitutes a red card.
A former player and ex-referee would then review the incident with the TMO and within 10 minutes of the yellow card, would decide whether it should be upgraded to a red.
Speaking to Sunday newspaper Rapport, former referee Watson said red cards should be simplified and only handed out in incidents of highly dangerous play.
“Like for someone who hits another guy. Someone that kicks. Someone who headbutts,” Watson, former referee boss of South Africa, told Rapport.
“Or even someone spitting on someone. That ugly stuff from the old days. It deserves red cards. All other offences, especially with tackles, I believe should only be yellow cards.”
Watson is not convinced World Rugby’s innovation would solve the problem.
“I am concerned that the former player and former referee, who has ten minutes to look at the incident, may end up giving more red cards than the referee himself.
“[World Rugby] simply introduced line upon line and prescription upon prescription.
“The safety committee has taken over and the game is much softer than it was. They over-sanitise the game especially with tackles . It’s ridiculous. Rugby is a contact sport. In a contact sport there are always some risks.”
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