Alternatively, how about teams being allowed to substitute players sent off so that only the offender is punished (with a ban etc) rather than the rest of the team, the fans and the TV viewers (in certain cases) It is supposed to be entertainment and, as several posters have agreed, this game has been wrecked a la last night at the Etihad.
Really? We've seen some dramatic rule changes over the years, offside, back passes, substitutes and substitutions. The only thing that hasn't evolved with the game and the rules is the punishment refs can use on the pitch.
Players surround referee's already, why would it be any different? Why would a player asking for a sin bin be any different to one asking for a yellow card or a red card? The ref would have the option of players showing dissent to send them off for 10mins to cool down. If anything it could stop a lot of the aggro refs deal with, as at the moment they've got nothing after a yellow card other than dramatically effecting the game.
I think it's only a matter of time to be honest. It was 22 years ago the back pass rule came in as a dramatic change, the game just adapts. Same as when subs were first introduced.
Was gonna have a go at you for being a typical male Internet forums user and then I did a double take!!
The players are members of a team, when a player cheats the team benefits. If I stop you scoring, it's not just me that doesn't concede, it's my whole team. If I can foul you, stop you scoring, and not leave my team down to ten men, why wouldn't I do it? Players "take one for the team" all the time, making that yellow card foul to stop a counter attack, etc. even when it's their 5th or 10th caution, because they are doing it for the team not as an individual.
I also don't buy this whole "it's the fans that suffer" argument. Firstly, we are never guaranteed entertainment with 11 v 11, the entertainment is secondary to it being a sporting competition. Secondly, I want to watch games played fairly and honourably and if someone cheats I want to see them punished, without that structure of rules it stops being a proper sporting competition. Thirdly, players getting sent off can increase the entertainment of a game - it can give the underdog a chance, it can inspire more effort, it can gee up a crowd, it is a twisting turn on the emotional rollercoaster of watching a good football match.
Regarding your first point, I can't imagine the rest of the Arsenal team (collectively) urging Sczezny to deliberately foul Robben and give away a penalty. When the dust has settled, it will be Sczezny who cops the suspension- not the rest of the team. In my suggestion, the punishment for the player still stands (ie a ban) Currently, it seems to be a case of triple jeopardy - a penalty, a sending off and then a ban.
As far as entertainment goes, your scenarios are rather rare. I grant you it does happen (Burnley and Walsall games spring to mind) but in massive games such as the two this week I think it would be unlikely.
Ah yes Tubthumper and Frutos the absolute worst plastics.
Demichelis and Szczesny brought this all on themselves and their teams. They knew the rules, but showed either poor judgement or their calculated decision back fired. Painful for those Arsenal and ManC plastics, blaming it all on Johnny foreigner refs or a "stupid rule" (unless it happened to benefit their plastic club), but this very clear rule has been in for several decades and has successfully reduced the old nonsense of a defender/goalkeeper deliberately bringing down a player in on goal with very few consequences.
As much as the red card and Ozil's penalty miss affected the outcome of the game in a big way, the main difference between the 2 sides was Philip Lahm. He was sensational tonight. I gather he only misplaced one pass during the entire match and he also set up both of Bayern's goals. He made his name as someone equally adept at playing in either full back position and he has now been converted into a top quality midfielder. How we could do with multi-dimensional players of his ilk who are English.
This. I will add that at the elite end it is often small details and fine judgement which makes the difference. IMHO this has proved the case in these two games. It's not just about technique it's also about judgement and calm.