Seen both Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher criticising Alisson for being clearly fouled during the game saying he needs to do better, both amongst others said the same about Gabriel when Joelinton pushed him into the goal with both hands. What is with the victim blaming from pundits, can’t exactly do much when someone fouls you
Fair enough. But then you get outfield players doing the same to each other all game, so do we stop that too? We’ve already got rid of the tackle from behind (even poking the ball between the player’s legs), a lot of tackles from the side, 2 footed tackles no matter how safe, hard tackles, all but the tamest of shoulder barges…
Every single change is made to benefit attacking players. Not because of any general concern for footballer welfare, but because attacking players are more marketable and profitable for the game. After all, TV deals are sold by the likes of Salah, Haaland and Saka. Most replica shirts don’t have Casemiro, Caicedo and Hojbjerg on the back.
Does this hard-line on physical play make matches more entertaining, though? Not in my opinion. A mix of flair and grit works better for me. The classic Man United vs Arsenal matches – when Keane, Vieira, Stam and Keown kicked the shit out of each other, while Scholes, Henry, Giggs and Pires provided the skills – were peak Premier League.
Outfield players aren’t trying to grab the ball with their hands. The second a player interferes with the keepers hands/arms with their own, it’s a foul for me.
Outfield players use their feet and legs to control the ball. Should it be a foul every time there’s contact between players’ legs?
If they hooked someone’s leg out of the way with their own foot, then yeah.