There does not seem to be a remedy to holding on in the Penalty Box. And yet, FIFA guidance is quite specific:
Referees are reminded to make an early intervention and to deal firmly with holding offences especially inside the penalty area at
corner kicks and free kicks.
To deal with these situations, the referee shall:
warn any player holding an opponent before the ball is in play
caution the player if the holding continues award a direct free kick or penalty and caution the player if it happens once the ball is in play
So, what percentage of holding on offences actually get punished with a penalty? 5%? 3%? 1%?
Well how about this for a partial solution?
Once a free kick or corner is awarded the taker has 3 seconds to take it and if he doesn't in that time he loses the ability to take a "quick one". If it isn't taken quickly then, once the Referee is satisfied that everyone is ready, he will blow his whistle at which point every player in the Penalty box has to clasp his hands above his head with the arms in an outstretched position.
After another 5 seconds the Referee will blow his whistle to signify that the kick may be taken but the players in the box must not lower their hands until the kick is taken. If the taker doesn't take it immediately the kick is given the other way.
It won't stop the defender from holding on after the kick is taken but what it will do is to allow the attacker to move freely about the box 'til it is. It will also help the Referee to identify culprits because, unlike the present system, the hands have to move from an outstretched position above the head to a position where they can grab hold of the player or his shirt.
It's all very well us expecting Refs to crack down on this but, under the Laws as they are, both defenders and attackers are no far too clever and rehearsed. If Refs really did start applying the letter of the law, the game would be resolved by who is best at hiding an offence or feigning being fouled.
Crackpot idea or possible partial solution?
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Comments
Football has any number of these anomalies that are now almost impossible to eradicate from the game. Pity football didn't follow the same road that rugby has taken where the referee is treated with the greatest of respect and is allowed to apply the laws of the game properly. Almost impossible given the worldwide aspect of Association Football and the emphasis on rule bending that is endemic in many countries.
230 volts will soon make you let go of it.
As SHG says in some countries the bending of rules is endemic, but on an international stage there is a level playing field. Here in Portugal in domestic games they throw themselves to the floor at the bat of an eyelash, and the referees dish out free kicks ten to the dozen. The same players and refs in European club games and internationals are far more willing (and more importantly) able to play the way everyone else does. They can adapt from Sunday to Thursday and then back again on Sunday, it's not a problem for them, why would it be a problem for players in England?
I think the only way to eradicate that which is unsporting from football is to introduce camera technology and have a fifth/six official who can review video footage and then advise the match referee.
It's seems like pie in the sky I know, but is the only solution I can think of to avoid players getting away with blue murder or referees missing the obvious.
I'd welcome something which gave referees the ability to deal with things they didn't see (often for good reason because no human being has 360-degree vision) and to verify if a penalty should be awarded or if the player had dived like a submarine. The only way to crack down on unsporting behaviour is to not allow players to get away with it.
I think referees are suffering more and more abuse from players. If we want to give Ref's the integrity they need we should insist that the players treat them and their decisions with respect. Lets mike them up similar to rugby, and any abusive swearing or arguing should get a red card straight off. They'll soon stop it when they (and their club) suffers the consequences.
What a rip off they would be!
Once the ball is in play and an offence occurs, just award the penalty.
It wouldn't take long before players got the message.
Hands cut off for a first offence with outright decapitation if the culprit continues to take no notice.
For that reason, refs will always err on the side of caution and not give penalties for something that when it occurs outside the box is given every single time.