Reducing cynical play key part of football review.

(3)The FRC proposes the phased introduction of mandatory coaching qualifications, particularly for managers/coaches of adult teams at club and county level. The appropriate mandatory coaching qualification should be set by Croke Park. A reasonable time period should be allowed for implementation but by 2015 at the latest.

(4)The FRC proposes that a distinction between Accidental and Deliberate into the Rules, with only Deliberate fouls invoking a card punishment.

(5)The FRC proposes the publication of a laypersons guide to the playing rules which aims to explain the most common rules but which would not carry legal or formal standing. This publication would incorporate any changes arising from this report. As an aid to bringing clearer understanding of playing rules to the wider audience, individual rules should be published in match programmes throughout the 2013 Championship.

(6)The FRC proposes that in the interest of improving refereeing standards at all levels the direct link that currently exists between the head of referees in each province and county and the Chair of the Referees Committee should be considerably strengthened, to work towards greater consistency on a national and local basis through communication/discussion/seminars etc.

(7)The FRC proposes full and proper enforcement by referees of the rule governing field incursions. This is absolutely essential for the good of the game and such proper enforcement would go some way to address the issue of time-wasting.

(8)The FRC proposes that a recruitment drive for referees among recently retired players be pursued with some urgency.

(9)The FRC proposes that before all club and county games, referees should go to each team dressing room to introduce themselves to the players, in the interests of building rapport and respect.

(10)The FRC proposes that:

Players issued with a Yellow Card should be subject to mandatory substitution for the remainder of the game;

After a team has been given three Yellow Cards, any further Yellow Card will mean the player going off with no substitution;

For inter-county competitions a cumulative total of three Yellow Cards for an individual player in any one grade in the same year should lead to a two-match suspension;

To be fair to all concerned, the number of substitutes permitted should be increased from the present five to six, to coincide with the introduction of this proposed change.

The above proposed changes should be introduced within the current rules and implemented from 2014.

(11)The FRC proposes that all offences currently attracting a 13-metre sanction should attract a 30-metre sanction. The

FRC also proposes that, in addition to the existing rules, if the player who commits a foul has the ball he must place the ball on the ground immediately and retreat the required distance. Failure to do so should attract a 30-metre sanction.

(12)The FRC proposes that correct tackling be promoted and emphasised as a key skill of Gaelic football within all GAA coaching manuals. Also, the FRC recommends a fuller definition of the tackle rule be introduced which will reduce misinterpretation among players, spectators and referees.

Proposed new definition of the Tackle:“The tackle is a skill by which a player may dispossess an opponent or frustrate his objective within the rules of fair play. The tackle is aimed at the ball, not the player. The tackler may use his body to confront the opponent but deliberate bodily contact (such as punching, slapping, arm holding, pushing, tripping, jersey pulling or a full frontal charge) is forbidden. The only deliberate physical contact can be a Fair Charge i.e. shoulder-to-shoulder. More than one player can tackle the player in possession.

(13)The FRC proposes the following new Advantage Rule to replace Rule 4.36 and Rule 5.35, for implementation in 2013: “When a foul is committed the referee may allow the play to continue if he considers it to be to the advantage of the offended team. He shall signal that advantage by raising an arm upright. If he deems no advantage to have occurred he may subsequently award a free for that foul, from where it occurred. The referee shall allow the advantage to run by maintaining his arm in the upright position for up to 5 seconds after the initial foul or for less time if it becomes clear that no advantage has accrued. He shall apply any relevant disciplinary action.”