Frank Lampard today pleaded with referees not to ruin football
after admitting Premier League players are baffled by the clampdown
on two-footed tackles.
Red cards have come thick and fast in recent matches for a host of
tackles considered to be in that category.
While few could argue Peter Crouch's wild lunge at Jon Obi Mikel
last night warranted a sending off, Emmanuel Eboue's foul on John
Terry in Chelsea's defeat at Arsenal last Sunday was only punished
with a yellow card.
It is this apparent inconsistency that has angered Lampard, whose
team-mate Terry had three bones broken by the Gunners' defender's
challenge.
"The players do not know where they stand and I don't think they
ever will," said the 29-year-old midfielder.
"It is difficult for referees. They have been given directives and
in the 100 mph game that it is sometimes they can get it slightly
wrong.
"Some tackles are more clear cut than others and I hope they do not
take the strong tackle out of the game because we don't want that
at all."
