Application of existing rules is sufficient (one thesis)
US sport is gigantic and fair. The rule makers are creative, innovative and flexible. Deficiencies are recognized and radically eliminated. The 1994 World Cup showed that the USA could also bring this to football. A few adjustment screws turned – and it works. The thought back then was clear: we need more goals. Implementation fails because of the rigid set of rules, because of a lack of this innovative thinking
Penalty is the wrong penalty for most offenses in the penalty area. Because: the upgrading of the goal chance from very low to huge intuitively ensures that you prefer to decide against the whistle. An alternative, milder punishment is needed, which should definitely retain the character of a punishment.
Alternatively, it would of course still be possible to consider leaving the rules as they are and allowing small scoring chances to be highly valued, i.e. also evaluating smaller fouls with penalties (as the rules originally provided, but this fails due to implementation). If it were possible to drill this into the referees: “You have to give a penalty for a foul or handball in the penalty area” then the consequences would be extremely exciting. The speculation would be: not that there would suddenly be an increase in penalties, but instead an increase in the number of great scoring chances. Because: the defenders would adapt to the new way of interpreting the rules in no time. “You can’t do that, there are penalties, you damage the team. Even a very short pull on the jersey is not allowed. Keep your hands off the ball too!”. They could do that and you would be amazed at how beautiful football can be. Constant goal scenes and goal chances and many goals. A dream. Accessible via: Application of existing rules.
More goals – more fun. Actually, a statement that should hardly provide for exaggerated discussion material. “Yes, wouldn’t be bad, I think so too,” should actually be the standard answer. Whereby this could well continue “but how?”.
One thesis is that football has become purely a fan sport. For an absolutely neutral viewer, an average Bundesliga game over 90 minutes is basically unwatchable. The reason: too few exciting scenes, too few goals, too few goals, too much injustice. That means: you have lost the neutral spectator. Whoever sits in the stadium is for this one or for that one. Anyone who watches TV is for this or that person. “Neutral” is not possible, just watch a nice, exciting football game. It’s either not exciting or at least not pretty. Usually: both.
Thesis: Football is a result sport?! Football is what the media makes of it. If they judge nothing but the result and allow nothing else as a mark of quality, then so be it. But you could make a change quite quickly. Example sentences such as “a victory must be here – no matter how” or the “dirty victory” that is then often accepted, in which allegedly “in a few weeks no one will ask how it came about” could very easily be a thing of the past, if they would no longer be disseminated in the media.
How is the term “dirty victory” actually defined? The choice of means would not matter as long as a victory results. A possible translation, which probably could hardly be compared with any other? “Dirty” only because the players block shots with their last effort, tackle opponents (of course, then: fair), dig into every duel and therefore end up walking around with more soiled – i.e. dirty – jerseys? It might have been like that before the term existed. Today it is simply said: every means is right. You can ask if you want to. “The team didn’t play well, but they scored a lot of points. Remember the totally undeserved 1-0 in… and the equally undeserved 1-0 against…”. Inquired, judged, not found to be good. You just have to want it.
Striker’s dilemma: if you fall, they say “he wanted him too much” if you don’t fall, you provide an alibi not to whistle anyway. Either way: no penalty.
Rules to be discussed and their interpretation:
- Overtime display
- Interjection – but where?
- Create alternative punishment for offenses in the penalty area
