[talkSAFT]

Come on, FA (or Referees Association). It's a brand new season. Can we expect Refs to penalise or yellow/red card players for wrestling at set-pieces? It's become a farce that anything goes at set-pieces.
I'm not happy that The Game seems to have accepted American Football style wrestling. But if it's deemed as reasonable to pull players to the ground, can we assume it's fair play? I wouldn't mind too much, just so long as it's within the new Laws, and spectators (or more importantly, the players) were aware that it's ok.
Perhaps we could employ Bouncer-style defenders to wrestle attackers to the ground (?) Or the same Bouncers could even wrestle the key defenders to the ground from their own set-pieces, leaving the attackers a clear strike at goal (?)

Let us all know, though, because EVERYONE thinks it's a farce. Otherwise, Refs:
just start the season right by giving penalties and yellow/red cards for manhandling......starting next week.

[meandbrenarebaggies]

I could not agree more.  I have never liked wrestling.  In the sixties, before Murdoch took over sport, there was a programme on ITV on Saturday afternoons with a commentator called Ken.  It was supposed to be wrestling but actually it was all fixed and really fell into the realm of entertainment with wrestlers called Billy Two Rivers, etc.  The thing is though,

Refs are allowing the same type of behaviour in the penalty box and calling it football.  I would totally support any Ref that actioned severe retribution against players engaged in wrestling when they are being paid to play football.  Could they not be taken to court for
offences against the Trade Descriptions Act?  Maybe somebody rich and idle enough could take out a test case against a club who sell tickets to a football match but can be shown to be providing a wrestling match; any Baristers out there….