By Paul O'Sullivan
A recent report on Sky Sports News (see here) outlined a UEFA proposal that if a player must leave the pitch to receive treatment for injury as a result of foul play, then the player that committed the foul may also be required to leave the pitch until the injured player is fit to return.
The rationale behind the proposal is well-intentioned. At present, if an injured player must leave the pitch, their team is temporarily at a numerical disadvantage. Hence, there may be an incentive to committing a foul that requires an opposing player to receive off-field attention. Any policy that eliminates this incentive is to be welcomed.
The rationale behind the proposal is well-intentioned. At present, if an injured player must leave the pitch, their team is temporarily at a numerical disadvantage. Hence, there may be an incentive to committing a foul that requires an opposing player to receive off-field attention. Any policy that eliminates this incentive is to be welcomed.
As ever, though, it is not sufficient to introduce a new policy to offset ‘market failure’ without taking into account how those subject to the new policy may react to it. As always, the biggest fear is that the new law will be taken advantage of in a manner that does not reflect the spirit of that new law. The main problem is that a player may ‘dive’ and/or feign injury, especially if fouled by one of the opposition’s better players. By requiring off-field treatment for an injury that does not exist, and ensuring that he opponent’s team is also down a player, the ‘fouled’ player’s team may be better off.
Similarly, the ‘injured’ player may not have an incentive to get back to the pitch as soon as possible in order to keep the opponent off the pitch (in the case of genuine injuries, this would be welcome as the need to get back on the pitch to help the team is reduced).
Where games are particularly close or important, especially near the end, this incentive outlined above may be greater. As with any form of ‘gamesmanship’ or cynical play, facilities like retrospective action, video evidence, independent medical assessment and severe punishments can be utilised to prevent such behaviour.
Similarly, the ‘injured’ player may not have an incentive to get back to the pitch as soon as possible in order to keep the opponent off the pitch (in the case of genuine injuries, this would be welcome as the need to get back on the pitch to help the team is reduced).
Where games are particularly close or important, especially near the end, this incentive outlined above may be greater. As with any form of ‘gamesmanship’ or cynical play, facilities like retrospective action, video evidence, independent medical assessment and severe punishments can be utilised to prevent such behaviour.
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