There were far too many instances of footballers getting up close and personal with referees last season – and not in a good way! Chelsea were especially bad at ganging up on the man in black when a decision went against them, snarling like a pack of hounds and being charged twice for failing to keep their players under control. However, it’s a former Blues player now plying his trade at Arsenal who has criticised the FA’s attempt to curb players’ enthusiasm this season.
The Daily Mail report that Gunners skipper William Gallas is not a happy bunny following his team’s 1-0 defeat at Fulham last Saturday. There were a few tasty challenges flying in from players in white shirts, and the Frenchman claims that he and his team-mates were given no option but to grin and bear it or risk getting booked in the process.
The 31-year-old said: “There were some very late challenges going in from Fulham in the game last week, but what can you do?
‘Players are not allowed to speak to the referee any more otherwise you will be booked yourself. It’s very frustrating because there is nothing you can do.
‘You’re not allowed to talk to the referees and that’s no good.’
Should Gallas be complaining or is it down to the referee and his assistants to clamp down on bad challenges? Does it make any difference whether a team can moan about bad tackles anyway, shouldn’t the ref’s decision be final? Or does it make more sense to have a communication channel going on at all times, possibly just between the captains and the arbiter?