Question Number: 15429

Character, Attitude and Control 5/8/2007

RE: Professional

Jon of London, UK asks...

This question is a follow up to question 15382

Chuck Im not sure most English fans of about the 40 plus age mark would agree that players didn't take much blood in matches back in the day. You could almost get away with murder back then. Def not uncommon for a full back to fly in two footed at knee height early or a winger to stamp their mark...."don't come past me again son!!" is what would probably follow that challenge!! Its become less and less physical as a game because of how we are made to offiaite it by FIFA

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

I'm sure it was England that invented, "No blood, no foul." Maybe a chap by the name of Andy Capp - do you get that comic in your papers?

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

Jon, you know what I wrote about. The Game itself has changed over the years. What players expect, what supporters expect and what is allowed has changed. If we didn't buy into their wants would there have been the changes? I tend to think not.

Sure, as a player I have taken certain liberties with an opponent's welfare -- sometimes legally sometimes not. AND I beat the referee all but once. [sent-off for dangerous play in 1995; but that's another story isn't it?]

It is hard to put the Gennie back in the bottle.

Regards,